Wesley Stops Marlins in Field Hockey Tilt

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The Virginia Wesleyan College field hockey team out-shot Wesley College, putting more shots on goal in the process, but the Wolverines survived with a 2-1 non-conference victory over the Marlins Thursday.

Virginia Wesleyan continued the trend of having to come back from an early deficit as the Wolverines scored less than five minutes into the contest. Wesley did a good job of getting the ball into the circle, moving it between players while maintaining possession until Renee Schneider could finish off the score for her second goal of the year.

The Marlins kept up the offensive pressure after dropping the opening goal, forcing Kayla Fromal into save after save. VWC broke through at 25:27 when Jenna Serna took the ball near the end line, centering it in front of the cage for Taylor Marshall to put away. The goal ties Marshall for the team lead with four scores.

Schneider broke the tie just over three minutes later on an assist from Lauren Niezgoda.

VWC had multiple opportunities in the second half, but Fromal continued her outstanding play in the cage. Marshall took a shot that went high on Fromal at 64:21, but the keeper turned it away. Melissa Rideout added another great chance, ripping a shot at 66:54, but it went just wide of the goal. The Marlins removed keeper Skye Swain for an extra attacker in the final minute, but could not get another good look at the goal.

Virginia Wesleyan outshot Wesley 15-10 despite the Wolverines leading 10-4 in penalty corners.

Fromal finished with 10 saves for Wesley (3-8) while Swain stopped six shots for the Marlins.

Virginia Wesleyan (2-9) travels to Ferrum College (1-9) for a non-conference game Saturday at 5:30 p.m.