OBERLIN, Ohio – The Sweet Briar College field hockey team (0-2, 0-0 ODAC) rallied late but came up short in a 4-1 non-conference loss to the Oberlin College Yeowomen (1-1, 0-0 NCAC) this morning.
The Vixens generated an early penalty-corner opportunity just over a minute into the contest, with first-year
Liv Werner (Fredericksburg, Va.) taking the insert before a Sweet Briar shot was blocked. Oberlin answered with sustained pressure and struck twice in less than a minute, with goals scored at 5:24 and again at 6:08.
Junior goalkeeper
Reiyn Hart (Bridgton, Maine) helped keep the Vixens within reach during the opening quarter, recording three saves. Sweet Briar also limited additional damage before the first break, but Oberlin added a third goal at 14:51.
Sweet Briar continued to compete through the second quarter. The Vixens created chances through blocked attempts and a late shot that went wide, while Hart added two more saves during the period. Oberlin held a 3-0 lead at halftime despite Sweet Briar's defensive work and continued resistance.
The home team extended its advantage early in the third quarter, converting at 32:01. Sweet Briar's defense responded with several key stops through the remainder of the frame. Junior
Bella Perdue (Richmond, Va.) recorded a defensive save at 31:25, and Hart made five saves in the third quarter alone.
Sweet Briar found its breakthrough in the fourth quarter. First-year
Valentina Mann (Beltsville, Md.) opened the period with a saved shot at 51:17, and senior
Gigi Hutman (Bordentown, N.J.) hit the post just seconds later as the Vixens built momentum. That pressure paid off at 53:33, when Mann set up junior
Larkin Shire (Caroline County, Va.) for Sweet Briar's first goal of the afternoon.
The Vixens kept pushing in the final minutes. Hutman put another shot on goal at 59:21, forcing an Oberlin save, but Sweet Briar could not cut the deficit further.
Highlights
- Shire and Mann recorded their first career goal and assist, respectively, in today's contest.
- Shire's goal is the first by Sweet Briar against Oberlin since the 2021 season.
What's Next
The Vixens wrap up action in Ohio with a game against Wooster tomorrow.
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