VIRGINIA BEACH -- Attacking the goal aggressively paid off quickly for the Virginia Wesleyan College field hockey team in its regular-season home finale on Monday on Marlins field.

The Marlins scored just 45 seconds into the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) contest against the Vixens of Sweet Briar College after advancing in front of the cage and picking up a penalty stroke.  Sophomore Maddie Smith (Easton, Pa./Easton Area)put the free shot into the corner of the cage to give VWC a 1-0 lead and advantage the Marlins never lost.

Smith was one of five Marlins to score in the contest as Virginia Wesleyan combined consistent offensive and defensive play to post a 6-0 victory.  Senior Skyler Weaver (Frederick, Md./Huntingtown) led the offensive production with a pair of goals, including the Marlins' second score in the 24th minute. She scored on a rebound shot into the left corner.

VWC increased its lead to 3-0 five minutes later when sophomore Taylor Marshall (Marion Station, Md./Crisfield Academy) also put the ball into the left corner off a chip shot.  Rookie Missy Stroup (Gloucester/Gloucester) assisted on the score.

Virginia Wesleyan rode the three-goal lead through the remainder of the first half, but scored quickly again in the second half.  Senior Danielle Pellerin (Long Valley, N.J./Chester West Morris Central) fired the ball into the cage from five yards out on the right with just 4:32 played in the half.

Sam Jackson (Manassas/Osbourn), who assisted on Weaver's goal in the first half, pushed the Marlins into a 5-0 lead in the 58th minute when she lofted the ball in on the right side for the score. Rookie Haylee Queen (Newport News/Woodside) assisted on the goal.

Weaver capped the scoring for VWC in the 66th minute on a chip shot into the right corner.

Virginia Wesleyan finished with advantages in shots (19-4) and penalty corners (11-4). 

Senior Lindsay Baker (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) started in goal for the Marlins and recorded a save in 43:03.  Peyton Miesse ( Virginia Beach/Landstown)added two saves in 26:57.  Emily Dodson (Richmond, Va./Trinity Episcopal) and Katie Torretti (Lemon Grove, Calif./Bishops School) both played in goal for the Vixens.  Dodson recorded five saves and Torretti finished with one.

--AMDG--