SWEET BRIAR, Va. --- The Vixen field hockey team battled to a scoreless tie at the end of the first stanza of action on Sunday, but were, ultimately, unable to hold off the Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan.  Sweet Briar fell to Virginia Wesleyan by a final score of 5-0.

The first half ended in a 0-0 tie with large thanks to first-year goalkeeper Skylar Rowan (Knoxville, Tenn./Webb School)  Rowan finished the half with four saves and also displayed some forceful clears to prevent additional scoring opportunities.  She finished with 11 saves on the afternoon.

For the Marlins, senior Nikki Cuthbert (Morrisville, Pa./Pennsbury)  broke the stalemate early in the second half, tipping in a drive from teammate Mackenzie Raines (Fredericksburg, Va./Massaponax) in the 37th minute.  From that point, Virginia Wesleyan took advantage of their penalty corners, scoring their next three goals on the corner.

Allison McLamb (Ellicott City, Md./Howard), Hannah Oybkhan (Wilmington, Del./Caravel Academy) and Kimberly Orchowski (Crofton, Md./Arundel) had the best scoring opportunities for the Vixens.  Senior Loralei Whittaker (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) also fired off two shots on the day.

Sweet Briar is off until next Saturday, when they will host Shenandoah University in an ODAC matchup beginning at 1:00 p.m.

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