A late Bethany goal was the difference as the Sweet Briar field hockey team dropped a tough 1-0 decision at home on Saturday.



Lauren Rao snuck a pass under SBC goalie Katie Torretti and Morgan Turner finished it off in the goalmouth for the game's only tally.

Torretti finished with 14 saves for the Vixens, while backs Megan Johnston and Eve Mergenthaler also recorded defensive saves.

While both teams had chances as the game went on, it took over 10 minutes for the first shot of the day to be recorded. Bethany's Taylor Soloman got two straight attempts on goal but Torretti kicked both away.

Sweet Briar came back the other way and sophomore Jessica Lusby almost broke free, with Bethany goalie Tiffany McCary kicking the shot away.

Torretti made three consecutive kick saves on a Bethany penalty corner, and then another good stop after Latisha Cuffee broke through the Vixen backline.

Mergenthaler made her 30th career defensive save on Cuffee at the right doorstep, moving her into a tie for 15th all-time in NCAA Division III in the category.

Sweet Briar senior Adelaide Hedge made a crucial defensive play late in the first half, sprinting back to stop Cuffee's breakaway before the Bison player could get a shot off.

Rao dribbled around Torretti early in the second half but McLamb ultimately blocked the chance.

Sweet Briar's Dayze Gaulin nearly scored from the right side, with McCary kicking if off the goalline in the 44th minute.

Courtney Gill had two huge chances for Bethany later in the second half- missing from close range after a cross by Turner, and then forcing a diving stick save from Torretti.

Torretti kept the score at 1-0 with three minutes remaining, diving to smother another Cuffee breakway. The Vixens had possession in the Bisons' final third over the last minute of play but could not get a good look at goal.

Sweet Briar falls to 0-7 on the season, with four of those losses now coming by a single goal. The Vixens get another chance tomorrow against Goucher, 2 p.m. at Amherst High School.

Sweet Briar will also be at home for the eighth time in nine games on Thursday, 4:30 p.m. vs. Eastern Mennonite. EMU played Bethany earlier this month, defeating the Bison 2-1. Bethany has also played Goucher, losing 3-0.