Strong Second Half Lifts Marlins to Third Straight Win

HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Virginia Wesleyan College field hockey team scored three goals in the second half to defeat Eastern Mennonite University 3-2 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) action Saturday.

It was the second straight year the Marlins have downed the Royals, besting them 2-0 last year in Virginia Beach. This is the third-straight victory for the Marlins, all ODAC contests, moving them to 3-2 in league play this season. The three league wins are the most for Virginia Wesleyan since the 2011 campaign.

Emily Price started the scoring early on when she finished off a rebound in front of the cage for a 1-0 Eastern Mennonite lead at the four minute mark.

That lead lasted until the second half when Ashley Parker evened the score at the 42:01 mark, getting the ball through a crowded circle and past the goalie.

Just over two minutes later, Elizabeth Roberto swept a shot to the bottom, left corner for the 2-1 lead. The Marlins received an insurance tally in the 48th minute when Lindsy Smarrelli connected for her first goal of the season.

Lorraine Armstrong found Madeline Mast for another EMU goal at the 58:54 mark, but the Virginia Wesleyan defense stood strong for the 3-2 win.

Hannah Daley made nine stops for Eastern Mennonite (4-7/0-3) while Skye Swain registered 12 saves for the Marlins.

Virginia Wesleyan (5-7/3-2) faces Transylvania in a neutral site game at EMU on Sunday at 1 p.m.