VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Behind 14 saves from junior
Reiyn Hart (Bridgton, Maine) and a key overtime defensive save by junior
Larkin Shire (Caroline County, Va.), the Sweet Briar College field hockey team (1-13, 1-6 ODAC) held the Batten University Marlins (6-10, 1-5) scoreless through regulation and two overtime periods this evening before falling in a shootout. Batten earned the 1-0 victory after converting two shootout attempts, while the Vixens were unable to convert.
Sweet Briar's defense stood firm from the opening quarter, weathering five Batten penalty corners. Hart made her first save at the 10:34 mark, turning away a shot to help keep the game scoreless through the first 15 minutes. Batten increased its pressure in the second quarter with seven shots and four more penalty corners, but the Vixens continued to hold their ground. Hart denied a chance at 27:16 as Sweet Briar reached halftime locked in a 0-0 tie.
Hart added three saves early in the third quarter, as the Vixens earned their first penalty corner at 36:29, with first-year
Liv Werner (Fredericksburg, Va.) handling the insertion, but neither team broke through before the final regulation period.
Sweet Briar generated its first shots in the fourth quarter. Following a Werner penalty corner, senior
Gigi Hutman (Bordentown, N.J.) sent an attempt wide at 47:48, and junior
Megan Newton (Jaffrey, N.H.) followed with a shot wide at 50:20. Hart kept Batten off the board with saves at 51:51 and 57:01, helping send the scoreless contest into overtime.
The Vixens faced their heaviest pressure in the first extra period, as Batten recorded eight shots and four penalty corners. Hart delivered five saves during the 10 minutes, while Shire supplied a crucial defensive stop on a shot at 61:49. Sweet Briar also earned a penalty corner at 63:48, with Hutman taking the insertion, as the teams remained deadlocked heading into a second overtime.
Sweet Briar opened the second extra period with another Hutman penalty corner at 70:19. Hutman later put a shot on goal at 74:02, but Batten made the save. Hart answered with stops at 74:19 and 75:40, and senior
Emmi Burdine (Huntington Beach, Calif.) nearly provided a last-second breakthrough with a shot on goal at 80:00 that was saved, sending the game to a shootout.
Batten converted its first two shootout attempts. Sweet Briar's four attempts were unsuccessful, allowing the hosts to secure the victory.
Highlights
- Sweet Briar held Batten scoreless during regulation for the first time since 1996.
- With 14 saves tonight, Hart moves up to fifth in the nation in saves per game with an average of 11.78.
What's Next
The Vixens will close out conference play against Roanoke on Oct. 28th before a Halloween clash at Meredith.
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