WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University field hockey team celebrated its senior day Saturday by downing Virginia Wesleyan 2-0 in an important ODAC contest.

Shenandoah (6-8, 2-1 ODAC) honored Sarah Clare, Ashley Cross, Liz Grover and Katie Johnson prior to the game, but it was a sophomore who provided all of the offensive fireworks.

Kelani Bailey scored twice for coach Ashley Smeltzer, the first off of a Presha Merritt assist just 88 seconds into the contest against VWC (6-5, 2-4), before tallying again in the second half.

This second half goal, on a penalty stroke at 57:06, clinched the victory for the Hornets.

SU put forth a strong defensive effort in the win, holding the Marlins to just three shots on the day (zero in the first half) and Clare needed to make only one stop to post the shutout.

Shenandoah had seven shots of its own.

The two teams split six penalty corners.

The win also gives SU the top tie-breaker over VWC in the race for the six-team ODAC Tournament field. Shenandoah is currently tied with Bridgewater for fourth in the league while Virginia Wesleyan stands sixth.

The Hornets are back in action on Tuesday in a 6:00 contest at Bridgewater.

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