Norfolk, Va. ---  The Sweet Briar field hockey team opened Old Dominion Athletic Conference play on Wednesday afternoon.  The Vixens traveled to Virginia Wesleyan and dropped a 6-0 decision to the Marlins.

Six different Marlins scored on the afternoon, kicked off by a goal just 1:31 into the contest by junior Courtney Copeland (Yorktown, Va./Tabb).  Virginia Wesleyan scored three more markers in the first half and rounded out the scoring with two goals in the second stanza.

Sweet Briar goalkeeper Brooke Scott (Kemah, Tex./Episcopal) had a standout game for the Vixens.  Scott made several acrobatic saves and had strong clears throughout.  She finished the match with 14 saves.  Scott received support from defenders Adelaide Hedge (Winston-Salem/Mt. Tabor) and Eve Mergenthaler (Litchfield, Conn./Litchfield).

Up front, first-year Kate Bessette (Stafford, Va./Mountain View) led Sweet Briar with two shots.  She teamed up with linemate Morgan Harris (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield) to apply pressure for the Vixens. 

Sweet Briar returns home to take on the Royals of Eastern Mennonite University on Saturday, September 22.  The match will begin at 1pm at Thayer Field.

Sweet Briar fans are invited to keep connected and learn more about Vixen Athletics via social media:  Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blog and visit our Vixen YouTube channel.