Fassl Leads Marlins to 3-1 Victory

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Freshman Julie Fassl posted her first career hat trick on Saturday as the Virginia Wesleyan University field hockey team downed Neumann 3-1 in the home opener for the Marlins.

The first half was quiet for both offenses as all four goals were scored in the second half. The Marlins kept the pressure on Neumann throughout the opening frame, attempting eight shots while holding the Knights to just one early shot that went wide. Lizzie Yu made six stops in the half for Neumann to kept VWU off the board.

The Marlin offense, averaging 10.5 goals per game in the last two matches, broke through in the second half when when Fassl finished off a deflection in the left side of the circle at the 43:17 mark. She would add another goal just four minutes later when Lindsy Smarrelli sent a pass into the circle where Fassl could finish it high past Yu.

Neumann, without a goal in its first three matches, managed to break through for the first time this season at 54:12 when Laura Stewart sent a pass across the circle to Cheyenne Sovae-Beattie who beat the keeper to cut the deficit to a single goal.

The Marlins did not wait long, scoring an insurance goal six minutes later in the 60th minute. Elizabeth Roberto sent a pass into Fassl who finished it off for her third goal of the day and fifth of the season to tie for the team lead.

VWU outshot Neumann 13-3 with a 3-1 edge in penalty corners. Yu finished with eight saves for Neumann (0-4) while Skye Swain made a stop for the Marlins.

Virginia Wesleyan (3-2) hosts Widener University (3-2) Sunday at noon for another non-conference match.