Vixens Drop Conference Match to Marlins

SWEET BRIAR, Va. --- The Vixen field hockey team played a strong first half on Saturday afternoon, but couldn't get past the Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan, falling 5-0 in a conference tilt played on front of a boisterous crowd at Thayer Field. 

The day began with a ceremony honoring Vixen seniors Maggie McNamara (Arlington, Va.), Alexandra St. Pierre (So. Hamilton, Mass.), Madeline Wilson (Orange, Va.), Ariel Yoder (Clemons, N.C.) and student manager Molly Johns.  Then, in front of a spirited Homecoming/Families weekend audience, St. Pierre performed a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner just before action got underway.

Sweet Briar goaltender Madeline Wilson was sharp early, making seven saves, before Marlin midfielder Taylor Lober ('14/Wilmington, Del.) scored off of a penalty corner at 18:35.  Loralei Whittaker ('14/Chesapeake, Va.) had the best scoring opportunity in the half for the Vixens, rocketing a shot from the left side that tested Virginia Wesleyan goalkeeper Kirsten Olson (Springfield, Va.).

Whittaker again fired on Olson early in the 2nd half, as the Vixens pressed for the equalizer.  Then, in the 47th minute, Marlin forward Allie Lanna ('13/Midlothian, Va.), added an insurance tally when she took a feed from first-year Lauren Gold (Glendora, Calif.) coming up the left side, and knocked in her sixth goal of the season.   Less than five minutes later, Lanna struck again, this time tapping in a ball during a flurry in front of Wilson.  The Marlins added two late goals by Nikki Cuthbert ('14/Morrisville, Penn.) and Lauren Douglas (Frederick, Md.) to account for the final score.

Wilson finshed with 16 saves on the day, several of the brilliant variety, and McNamara pitched in with a stellar defensive save of her own, protecting an open goal mouth in the 40th minute.

The Vixens have a quick turnaround. They return to Thayer Field tomorrow, October 16, to host Sewanee in a non-conference match beginning at 1pm.