SWEET BRIAR, Va. – The Sweet Briar College field hockey team (4-11, 1-7 ODAC) delivered a dramatic overtime victory against the Meredith College Avenging Angels (8-8), securing a 3-2 win at Thayer Field.
The opening quarter showcased tough defensive stands by both teams. Sophomore goalkeeper
Reiyn Hart (Bridgton, Maine) set the tone for the Vixen's defense, helping to keep the match scoreless until Meredith broke through with a goal at the 12:58 mark. The Avenging Angels took the 1-0 lead into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Meredith extended their lead to 2-0 with another goal at 15:56. Sweet Briar began to find their rhythm offensively during this period, notably with attempts on goal by sophomore
Elise Palazzo (Allentown, Pa.) and junior
Gigi Hutman (Bordentown, N.J.).
Following the break, the third quarter saw Sweet Briar intensify their attacks. The Vixens earned two penalty corners and outshot Meredith five to four, with several attempts coming from senior
Carlina Christy (Denver, Pa.) and sophomore
Megan Newton (Jaffrey, N.H.). The defense remained solid, highlighted by multiple saves from Hart and a defensive save by Christy that kept the Vixens within reach. Despite these efforts, neither team managed to score in the third quarter.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the final period. Junior
Emmi Burdine (Huntington Beach, Calif.) scored at 47:59 off an assist from sophomore
Bella Perdue (Richmond, Va.), which put the Vixens on the board and narrowed the gap to 2-1. Minutes later, Newton netted her first goal of the season, tying the contest at 2-2. Multiple attacking plays from Hutman and Palazzo continued to tire out Meredith's defense, and Hart piled up six saves in the period as the Avenging Angels tried to answer back. The Vixens displayed composure, forcing the game into overtime
Both teams battled hard in overtime, but it was Sweet Briar who completed the comeback. First-year
Haley Littlefield (Albany Township, Maine) emerged, scoring the sudden-victory goal unassisted at the 63:40 mark, sealing the dramatic win and her first goal of the season.
Highlights
- Newton and Littlefield scored their first goals of the season.
- Six different Vixens registered shots in today's contest.
- Palazzo led the team in shots on goal.
What's Next
The Vixens will now look ahead to the 2026 season.
Visit the online home of Sweet Briar Athletics, vixenathletics.com, to stay up-to-date on all Vixens sports and access live video coverage from the Vixen Sports Network. Click here to sign up for email blasts from Vixen Athletics.
To give to Sweet Briar Athletics, please fill out the form here.
You can also give the Sweet Briar Vixens a like on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Threads and X (formerly Twitter).
