SWEET BRIAR, Va. – The Sweet Briar College field hockey team (2-5, 0-1 ODAC) fell to the No. 15 Shenandoah University Hornets (8-2, 1-0 ODAC), 5-0, to open up Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play this weekend at Thayer Field.
The first quarter was a defensive test for the Vixens, as Shenandoah unleashed 10 shots. Sophomore goalkeeper
Reiyn Hart (Bridgton, Maine) made several critical stops, finishing the opening period with nine saves. Senior defender
Carlina Christy (Denver, Pa.) recorded a defensive save, helping keep the game scoreless after the first 15 minutes. Sweet Briar managed one shot, coming from sophomore
Megan Newton (Jaffrey, N.H.), whose attempt was saved by Shenandoah's goalkeeper.
The second quarter saw Shenandoah increase its pressure, firing 17 shots. Hart's play in goal continued to be a highlight, and the Vixens withstood repeated penalty corners. However, Sweet Briar conceded three goals in the period, with Shenandoah scoring at 22:19, 23:30, and 26:07. Despite the surge against them, Hart made nine more saves in the quarter and the team worked hard to disrupt Shenandoah's scoring chances.
In the third quarter, Sweet Briar's defense began to limit Shenandoah's shots, allowing 10 attempts. Hart remained busy in goal, adding three saves to her tally. The Hornets extended their lead with a goal at 34:51. The Vixens showed resilience in defense, helped by key stops from defenders like Christy and first-year
Lyla Burdine (Huntington Beach, Calif.).
The fourth quarter brought more of the same as Sweet Briar continued battling, with Hart making six saves. The Vixens produced their second shot of the game, with Newton sending an attempt wide. Shenandoah scored once later in the period to seal the 5-0 victory.
Highlights
- Hart registered 26 saves in today's contest, marking a new career high and the highest single-game total for a Vixen since Rosemary Austin '20 put up 34 saves against Virginia Wesleyan in 2017.
- Newton led the team in both shots and shots on goal.
What's Next
The Vixens will host No. 20 Lynchburg on Oct. 8th before heading to Randolph-Macon on Oct. 10th.
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