Sewanee, Tenn. ---  Field Hockey dropped a tough 4-2 decision to Transylvania University this morning in a non-conference match played at The University of the South.

The first half was a defensive battle that ended with the Pioneers clinging to a 1-0 advantage.  Junior Macaulay Shifferdecker (Louisville, KY / Male) scored the lone goal of the stanza.

 TU picked up two quick goals early in the second half, before Sweet Briar turned the tables a launched a ferocious assault.  First-year Allison McLamb (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) scored her first career goal at 50:06, chipping the ball past a sprawling Pioneer goalkeeper.  Just three minutes later, Hannah Oybkhan (Wilmington, Del./Caravel Academy) added her first goal of the young season as the Vixens crashed the goal relentlessly.

The defense was stout all day for Sweet Briar.  Sophomore Molly Van Buren (New Haven, Vt./Mt. Abraham) played a key role, along with Eve Mergenthaler (Litchfield, Conn./Litchfield) and Adelaide Hedge (Winston-Salem, N.C./Mt. Tabor) to keep Transylvania away from the Vixen cage.

Sweet Briar coach Jess Gray was pleased with the transition play of her young team.  "Rachel (Westport, Conn./Joel Barlow), Allie (McLamb), and Loralei (Whittaker) really sparked our transition game today and started so many of our opportnities," shared Gray.  "I am also really happy with our chemistry and the way that we created a lot out of our formation."

Sweet Briar is off until next weekend when they travel to Hood College for a match beginning at 2:00 on Saturday.

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