The Sweet Briar field hockey team dropped an 8-0 decision to conference foe Eastern Mennonite University this afternoon in Harrisonburg, Va.  Goalkeeper Madeline Wilson ('12/Orange, Va.) turned in a 24 save effort, her highest total of the season, but it was not enough for the Vixens.

The Royals struck quickly, taking the lead just 35 seconds into the game.  Michelle Zook ('15/Allensville, Pa.)  sent the ball across to Janessa Derstyne ('15/Harleysville, Pa.) who scored for the fifth time this season.  Zook struck again in the 25th minute, sending a cross into Andrea Myers ('15/Dillsburg, Pa.) who put a reverse stick drive in the back of the goal.  EMU added two more markers in the half, getting goals from Nicole Benczik ('14/Telford, Pa.) and Zook.

Eastern Mennonite struck again early in the second half when Mandy Stowers ('14/Powhatan, Va.) converted a penalty stroke at 37:44.  From there, Vixen nemesis Zook struck again, knocking in  a loose ball out of the air for her second goal of the contest in the 48th minute.  The Royals added another tally from Myers and a finishing goal from Valerie Landis ('12/Quakertown, Pa.) as time expired to account for the final score.

Senior defenders Ariel Yoder (Clemons, N.C.) and Maggie McNamara (Arlington, Va.) were hard at work as the Royals attempted 55 shots on the day.  Yoder collected her fifth defensive save of the season, tying her for the lead in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

The Vixens return to Thayer Field to kick off a four game homestand on Tuesday, Oct 11, when they host Washington and Lee University at 4pm.