The Sweet Briar College soccer team played first place Washington & Lee tough on the Generals' home field, losing 1-0 to W&L after a scoreless first half.



The Generals sit in first place in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and are receiving votes in the D3soccer.com top-25 poll. W&L returns two All-Region and three All-State selections from last year's squad that reached the ODAC championship game.

The only goal came in the 61st minute, after a foul was whistled on the Vixens deep on the right side. The free kick was flicked to the back post, where an open Caroline Hahn was there to volley off the underside of the crossbar and in.

With nine field players committed behind the ball, the Vixens were unable to create any good potential tying chances late in the game.

After a corner kick was returned back out wide to Katie Pettit, SBC goalie Katie Tillson (seven saves) did well to catch a dangerous cross through a crowd in front of goal.

Becca Dunn slipped a through ball to Kelsey Jervis in the 71st minute, with Tillson holding the shot from 12 yards.

A few minutes later, Erin Harvey beat the offsides trap and went in on a breakaway, but Tillson made a tough low save at her near post.

Harvey volleyed a free kick just wide of the near post with 12 minutes remaining, although the offsides flag was up.

Jervis won a header on Dunn's 83rd minute cross, with the chance flashing just outside of the right post. Another dangerous ball fell to Hollis Tardy, and Tillson blocked it from close range.

The Vixen defense of Jaden Nichols, Kelsey Barta, Marissa McCord and Stephanie Scott was outstanding throughout the first half, as the Generals rang up attempt after attempt but only put five shots on goal. Junior Kat Day also made her first appearance after returning from injury and played a huge role in defensive center midfield.

Washington & Lee put its first five shots high, before Tillson made two saves in under two minutes early in the first half.

The Vixens fall to 4-2, 1-2 ODAC, and will host Guilford on Saturday at noon. Washington & Lee remains undefeated at 5-0-1, 3-0.