The Sweet Briar field hockey team fell to Washington & Lee University this afternoon 3-0 in a conference tilt played at Thayer Field.  Goalkeeper Madeline Wilson ('12/Orange, Va.), who leads the ODAC in saves per game, turned away fourteen shots on the day.

The Vixens played a strong defensive game in the first half.   Wilson tallied eight saves and the Sweet Briar defense cleared out eight corners in the period.  The game remained a scoreless battle for 30 minutes, when, after a flurry in front of the net, Lizz Dye ('12/Houston, Tx.) fed the ball to Alex Hensleigh ('14/Virginia Beach, Va.), who came off the bench to score her first goal of the season.

Eight minutes into the second half, the Generals struck again.  Senior Lindsey Edmonds (St. Louis, Mo.) brought the ball in from the right side and passed it to an open Ashley Barnes ('13/Annapolis, Md.) beating a sprawling Wilson for the goal.    The Vixens countered by turning up the offensive pressure, including a blistering shot from Loralei Whittaker ('14/Chesapeake, Va.) that just missed getting tipped in for a goal.  The score remained 2-0 until first-year Anna Katherine Barnes (Winston-Salem, N.C.) scored with just under 10 minutes to play. 

The Vixens continued to fight until the very end, drawing two penalty corners in the final minute and getting a scoring opportunity from Morgan Harris ('14/Chesapeake, Va.) as time expired.

First-year assistant coach Grace Loughhead was pleased with the effort of the Vixens.  "Addie Hedge had a great game, stepping to the ball all game long," said Loughhead.  "We need to channel this effort for the next two weeks and you'll see nothing but good things from us."

Sweet Briar returns to action on Saturday, Oct 15 to host ODAC foe Virginia Wesleyan at 1pm.  The four Vixen seniors will be honored in a pregame ceremony.  This weekend also marks Homecoming/Parents Weekend celebrations at Sweet Briar.  Please be advised that parking will limited at Thayer Field.