VIRGINIA BEACH -- A Sunday that was designed for swimmers, surfers, and sun bathers turned out to be anything but a day at the beach for the No. 16 ranked University of Mary Washington field hockey team.

One day after unleashing an offense that rang up 16 goals against Ferrum College, the Eagles were stymied by a Virginia Wesleyan College squad that turned in a defensive effort that ranks among the best ever by the Marlins.  Mary Washington (2-0) did everything it could to keep the ball moving into scoring position, but saw nearly everything answered by VWC (1-1).

Nearly because one of 20 UMW shots did get through, providing the Eagles with enough scoring to eke out a hard-fought 1-0 win on Marlins Field. Ashlin Jones (Williamsburg/Jamestown) scored the goal in the 38th minute, knocking the ball in off an assist from Kathleen Namey (Fredericksburg/Colonial Forge).

But, before that and after that a balanced Virginia Wesleyan defense had the Eagles frustrated.  Mary Washington collected 26 penalty corners, but could not take advantage of any of them as alert Virginia Wesleyan defense repeatedly disrupted potential shot attempts. When the Eagles did get off shots, VWC senior goalie Lindsay Baker (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) was there for crucial stops.  She finished with 13 saves and junior Danielle Benn (West Creek, N.J./Tuckerton Pinelands Regional) came through for a defensive save to stop another scoring opportunity.

It was an effort that left Virginia Wesleyan head coach Christina Restivo with nothing but praise for her Marlin team following the game.

"From the start we stepped up and played as a team," said Restivo. "That was our focus and we 100% never gave up at every position.  No one let up. They stepped it up and rolled in to cover for each other the entire game."

Mary Washington, which led the nation in scoring margin in 2013, followed the play of Haley Kane (Fredericksburg/Massaponax), Christine Loehr (Chesapeake/Grassfield), and Jenna Steele (Rehoboth Beach, Del./Cape Henlopen) to generate its offensive attack, but could not find too many openings in the VWC defense.

UMW's defense also hawked the ball and turned back numerous Marlin advances.  VWC recorded only two shots, but saw a hit by Benn miss by inches on the right and hard open shot by Bryn Ammon (Parkersburg, Pa./Coatesville) sail wide left.

"If we can play like this in the second game of the season, we're going to be alright," said Restivo. "We're definitely growing."

Virginia Wesleyan competes again on Saturday, Sept. 6, and Sunday, Sept. 7, in the Salisbury University Invitational.  The Marlins face Delaware's Wesley College on Saturday at 2 p.m. and take on No. 2 ranked Salisbury on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

--AMDG--