SWEET BRIAR, Va. – The Sweet Briar College field hockey team (0-6, 0-0 ODAC) turned in a resilient defensive effort against the Goucher College Gophers (2-4, 0-0 Landmark) this afternoon, but the Vixens fell 1–0 at Thayer Field.
The Vixens created an early opportunity in the first quarter when first-year
Liv Werner (Fredericksburg, Va.) inserted a penalty corner in the fifth minute. Senior
Emmi Burdine (Huntington Beach, Calif.) followed with a shot that went wide as Sweet Briar looked to establish early pressure.
Goucher generated several chances in the opening period, but junior goalkeeper
Reiyn Hart (Bridgton, Maine) made key saves against the Gophers in the 10th and 14th minutes to keep the match at 0–0 after one quarter.
Sweet Briar continued to defend well through the second quarter. After Werner earned another penalty corner in the 25th minute, Goucher again threatened at the other end, but Hart stopped consecutive shots at 25:29 and 25:33.
The Vixens also created two scoring chances following their corner sequence, with first-year
Jo Garcia (Chesapeake, Va.) and
Megan Newton (Jaffrey, N.H.) each putting shots on goal in the 25th minute. The Goucher goalkeeper made saves on both attempts, and the game remained scoreless at halftime.
The defensive battle continued in the third quarter. Hart denied a Goucher shot early in the period, then added more saves in the 38th minute and in the 44th minute. Goucher outshot Sweet Briar 8–0 in the quarter, but the Vixens' back line and Hart held firm to send the contest into the final frame still tied.
Sweet Briar opened the fourth quarter with another promising sequence. Junior
Bella Perdue (Richmond, Va.) earned a penalty corner in the 46th minute, and Garcia fired a shot wide shortly afterward. Hart made another save at 50:01, but Goucher broke through seconds later and scored at 50:0.
The Vixens responded with late pressure. Junior
Gianna Guadagno (Huntington Beach, Calif.) recorded a shot in the 52nd minute, and Werner helped create another penalty-corner opportunity moments later. Burdine put a shot on goal following the corner, but the Gophers goalie made the save as Goucher preserved the narrow shutout.
Highlights
- Today's contest was the best result for Sweet Briar against Goucher since the program's 4-0 win in 2022.
- Hart totaled nine saves this afternoon.
What's Next
The Vixens will head to New Jersey to take on William Paterson and FDU-Florham on Sept. 25th and Sept. 26th, respectively.
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