SWEET BRIAR, Va. – The Sweet Briar College field hockey team (2-9, 0-5 ODAC) stood strong against the Virginia Wesleyan University Marlins (5-7, 2-2 ODAC) this afternoon with a late fourth-quarter goal giving the Marlins the 2-1 victory.
In the opening period, Sweet Briar generated two shots and held strong defensively, backed by sophomore goalkeeper
Reiyn Hart (Bridgton, Maine), who made two key saves to keep the score level. First-year defender
Antonia Supino (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) was active at the back, making a crucial defensive save and registering both a shot and a defensive stop during a frenetic stretch, helping Sweet Briar withstand early pressure.
The second quarter saw Sweet Briar continue its disciplined defense as Hart added three more saves, facing a barrage of eight Virginia Wesleyan shots. The Vixens earned two penalty corners and put a shot on goal through sophomore
Megan Newton (Jaffrey, N.H.), but Virginia Wesleyan broke the deadlock just before halftime on a penalty stroke. Sweet Briar defender, sophomore
Bella Perdue (Richmond, Va.), was instrumental in transition, repeatedly setting up offensive opportunities through penalty corners.
Sweet Briar found its offensive rhythm in the third quarter, outshooting Virginia Wesleyan 5-2. Sophomore
Elise Palazzo (Allentown, Pa.) made a major impact, scoring Sweet Briar's lone goal unassisted to tie the game at 1-1; her first tally of the season. Newton continued to apply pressure with two shots, while senior
Carlina Christy (Denver, Pa.) forced a save with her own effort. The Vixens' defense, led by Hart's lone save and active stick work from Supino and Perdue, kept the match tied heading into the final frame.
The final quarter remained fierce as Hart made another clutch save, giving her six total for the game. Sweet Briar earned a penalty corner and saw another shot from Supino, but Virginia Wesleyan broke through with the winning goal late in the period. Despite trailing, Sweet Briar attacked until the end, with consistent contributions from Newton, Perdue, and the back line holding the margin to a single goal. Palazzo's goal and Hart's pivotal saves highlighted a gritty team effort that kept Sweet Briar in contention throughout.
Highlights
- Today's contest marks the closest between the two programs since Sweet Briar took a 2-1 victory in double overtime in 2022.
- Palazzo tallied the first goal of her career to even up the game in the third quarter.
What's Next
Action will continue at home against No. 25/18 Washington and Lee and at EMU on Oct. 25th.
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