SWEET BRIAR, Va. ---  The 2012 Field Hockey season opened on Saturday with the Vixens taking on Cedar Crest College at the Thayer Classic.   Sweet Briar started six newcomers in the match.  The Vixens had their moments, but ultimately fell 7-2 to the Falcons of Cedar Crest.

Junior midfielder Loralei Whittaker (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) ripped a shot into the right corner in the 14th minute to kick off the scoring for Sweet Briar for 2012.  Sweet Briar struck again midway through the second half when Hannah Oybkhan (Wilmington Del./Caravel Academy) scored her first collegiate goal finding the back of the cage after taking a pass from fellow first-year Kate Bessette (Stafford, Va./Mountain View).  For Cedar Crest, it was first-year Emily Rodenberger (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) who led the way.  The forward exploded for five goals in the opener.

Sweet Briar received strong play from the goalkeepers.  Senior Brooke Scott (Kemah, Tex./Episcopal) and first-year Katie Torretti (Lemon Grove, Calif./Bishops School) each turned away thirteen shots for the Vixens.

In game two at the Thayer Classic, Bryn Mawr defeated Rivier 7-0.  Madison Beckmann (Wildwood, Mo./Whitfield School) and Kayla Bixler (Holtwood, Penn./Penn Manor) scored two goals apiece.

The Thayer Classic continues on Sunday as Rivier takes on Cedar Crest at 11 a.m. and Sweet Briar battles Bryn Mawr beginning at 2pm.  Sweet Briar fans can follow our live blog for the 2 p.m. contest.

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