ASHLAND, Va. --- The Sweet Briar college field hockey team was defeated this afternoon by conference rival Randolph-Macon, 8-0.  With the loss, the Vixens fall to 3-5 on the season.

The Yellowjackets got off to a quick start.  Rachel Gardner ('15/Rapidan, Va.) scored her fourth goal of the season just 2:27 into the game.  Following a goal from teammate Carrie Jacobs ('15/Orange, Va.), Gardner struck again.  This time following a penalty corner just under nine minutes into the period.  Randolph-Macon's Lauren Seal ('14/Orange, Va.), high school teammate of Gardner and Jacobs, rounded out the scoring with a goal in the 26th minute.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first.  Jacobs scored for Randolph-Macon less than three minutes into the frame.  Teammates Olivia Newman ('14/Orange, Va.), Colby Kinsella ('15/St. Louis, Mo.) and Meredith Young ('13/Bassett, Va.) added scores to account for the final tally.

Offensively, Sweet Briar had trouble mounting a sustained attack.  The best scoring opportunity of the first half came from senior forward Alexandra St. Pierre (So. Hamilton, Mass.) who put a shot on Yellowjacket goalkeeper Steph Talley ('13/Bordentown, N.J.)at 31:44, but was unable to find the back of the net.  Early in the second frame, defender Maggie McNamara ('12/Arlington, Va.) leaped into the offensive zone and tested Talley once again, but with no luck.

The Vixen defense was under pressure from the outset of the game and rose to the occasion.  In front of netminder Madeline Wilson ('12/Orange, Va.), defenders Ariel Yoder ('12/Clemons, N.C.), McNamara and Adelaide Hedge ('15/Winston-Salem, N.C.) played well together.  In addition to Wilson's 17 saves, the defense made several saves and key clears.

Head Coach Jess Lamina was pleased with her defensive crew.  "The defense played very well," noted Lamina.  "The communication and movement was great.  I am happy with the way they stepped up.  We will use this effort to build on for our next game."

Sweet Briar returns to action on Saturday Oct 1, when they travel to Bridgewater (Va.) to take on the Eagles in a conference battle beginning at 11am.