Upset Bid Falls just Short for Field Hockey

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The Virginia Wesleyan University field hockey team looked the part of spoiler on Saturday afternoon, attempting to hand first place Washington and Lee University its first ODAC loss of the season. The Generals scored late however to claim a 3-2 victory over the Marlins.

Neither team gained control of the offense in the early going as both squads took two shots which were saved by the opposing goalie.

The Marlins were the first to get on the board when Elizabeth Roberto took the ball from the defender inside the circle, made one move on the goalie, and finished for the 1-0 lead at 13:35.

Virginia Wesleyan scored again at 22:20 as Roberto found the back of the cage again for her 12th goal of the season. Cori Jackson took a penalty corner and sent it in to Karleigh Warren who set it for Roberto for the 2-0 advantage.

The Marlins had three more shots in the first half, but two missed the target with the other saved by Ariyel Yavalar. The VWU defense stepped up in a major way, maintaining the lead without allowing the Generals to get an attempt on cage.

Washington and Lee began to cut into the lead after intermission, scoring early on a penalty corner. Olivia Hewitt sent it in to Jessie Serody who set the ball for a Haley Tucker goal at 38:19.

The Generals continued to press the Marlins, forcing Skye Swain to make three saves, but it wouldn't be until a Marlin green card at 65:52 that W&L could take the lead.

The Generals capitalized on the attempt produced by the green card as Maggie Sands played the ball into the circle to Lauren Paolano for her 12th goal of the season, evening the score with less than five minutes remaining.

Washington and Lee marched down the field again, drawing another penalty corner at 67:51. The Marlins turned the corner away, but could not get the ball out of their end of the field. Paolano ripped a shot at 68:38 that was saved by Swain. Sands corralled the loose ball as it was bouncing around in the circle, finishing it off for the game winner with just 81 seconds to play.

Yavalar made six saves for Washington and Lee (12-4/7-0) while Swain made six stops for the Marlins.

Washington and Lee held a 16-11 edge in shots while the Marlins led 9-8 in penalty corners.

Virginia Wesleyan concludes the season with a 7-10 overall record with a 1-6 mark in ODAC play.