Offensive Intensity Carries Marlins to 2-0 Win

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The Virginia Wesleyan University field hockey team kept the pressure on Eastern Mennonite University Saturday, defeating the Royals 2-0 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) action.

The Marlin offense needed every opportunity as the Royal defense was up to the task of stopping the high-powered VWU offensive unit. The Marlins attempted 25 shots on the afternoon, putting an impressive 21 of them on goal. EMU also had to deal with the 20 penalty corners attempted by Virginia Wesleyan.

The Marlins broke through for the first goal at 15:09, taking advantage of one of the multiple penalty corner opportunities. Cori Jackson took the corner, sending it up to Julie Fassl who passed it across the arc to Taylor Abraszek. The freshman ripped a shot that made it past Kelsey Troyer for the initial score of the game.

Virginia Wesleyan capitalized again in the 49th minute when Fassl moved the ball along the end line and into the circle. She found a small opening to send a cross in front of the keeper to Lindsy Smarrelli who finished off the play for her fifth goal of the season.

Troyer finished with 16 saves for Eastern Mennonite (3-7/0-4) while Clover Cooper collected two defensive saves as Rachel Musselman added another defensive stop. Skye Swain was just as impressive on the other side, making 10 saves to preserve the shutout.

Virginia Wesleyan (6-5/1-1) travels to Lynchburg College (9-3/2-1) Friday for another ODAC contest.