 |  |
Marlins Push Past Vixens
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Va. Wesleyan (6-8) | 6 | 8 | 14 |
| Sweet Briar (4-9) | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Va. Wesleyan | Sweet Briar |
|---|---|
| G: Courtney Shelton - 7 | G: Jessie Edington - 4 |
| A: Natalie Belva - 3 | A: 2 Players (#10, #24 - 1) |
| Sv: Michelle Mace - 3 | Sv: Caroline Baker - 10 |
| GB: Mari Carmichael - 4 | GB: Olivia Hurt - 3 |
| Team Statistics | Va. Wesleyan | Sweet Briar |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 33 | 19 |
| Ground Balls | 16 | 11 |
| Saves | 3 | 10 |
| Clears | 9-11 | 7-15 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 16 |
| Draw Controls | 15 | 9 |
| Free Position Shots | 0-0 | 0-0 |
SWEET BRIAR, Va. --- The Vixen Lacrosse team hosted Virginia Wesleyan College at Babcock Field on Saturday afternoon. The Marlins were riding a two-game Old Dominion Athletic Conference win streak and Sweet Briar was still on the hunt for an ODAC win. In front of a large crowd and underneath blue skies, both teams looked to take control of the contest, but neither side could secure a sizable advantage until mid-way through the second stanza. VWC used a four-goal run over the final 10 minuntes to upend the Vixens 14-8.
The Vixens were first to find the back of the net off a score from first-year Allison Hassard (Greensboro, N.C./Grimsley High School). Hassard earned a free position shot on goal after trying to drive to goal in the first seven minutes of play, and converted the attempt. The Marlins came roaring back as four different players scored four unanswered goals. Junior Sam Schwartz (Pittsburgh, Pa./Peters Township) scored her first goal of the game at 12:23 to slow the Marlin attack, setting the score 4-2 in favor of Virginia Wesleyan.
Sophomore Olivia Hurt (Charlottesville, Va./The Covenant School) who currently leads the Vixens in goals scored (44) and assists (14) for a total of 58 points on the season, scored at the 10:12 mark to put the Vixens within one goal of the Marlins. The one goal differential was the closest the Vixens would come to catching the Marlins. The last Vixen goal of the first period came off the stick of senior attacker Jessie Edington (Alexandria, Va./Bishop Ireton High School).
VWC senior Courtney Shelton (Prince Frederick, Md./ Huntingtown) kicked it up a gear to lead her squad in the second half. Shelton scored four goals and created numerous scoring drives for the Marlins. Edington countered in the second, scoring three of SBC's four goals, but the effort was not enough. The Marlins prevailed and snatched the win from the Vixens.
Caroline Baker (Virginia Beach, Va./Norfolk Academy) started her 13th game in goal and had another stand out performance. Baker made 10 saves on 24 shots and caused the Marlins to turn the ball over twice.
The Vixens are back in action on Wednesday, April 11 when they host the visiting Eagles of Bridgewater College. The ODAC match up is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start.
Fans are also reminded that you can keep up with all things Vixen Athletics on Facebook and Twitter. And for more Vixen Athletic stories, check out our blog.
