VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Shenandoah University field hockey team completed its regular season Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 ODAC victory at Virginia Wesleyan.
Shenandoah (14-4, 6-2 ODAC) set a new program record for wins in a season with the victory over the Marlins (6-8, 3-5).
The win, combined with a Lynchburg victory over Washington and Lee, means that SU is the No. 2 seed at the upcoming ODAC Tournament and has earned a bye into the tournament quarterfinals.
Shenandoah will play the winner of the Washington and Lee versus Bridgewater quarterfinal round game in a Friday semi-final at Lynchburg.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SU
3' | Kelsey Jones scores unassisted
41' | Taylor Hayes scores unassisted for what proves to be game-winner
58' | Morgan Payne sets up Kayla Alderman for the insurance goal
VWU
34' | Julie Fassl scores off of an Emma Walsh feed on a penalty corner
QUOTABLE
"We knew going into the game we needed to win to secure second place and the bye into the semi-finals," head coach Ashley Smeltzer-Kraft said. "Everyone pulled together to focus, left it all on the field and executed our game plan as a team. We are excited for the week to prepare for the ODAC Semifinals and a chance to play for another ODAC title."
UP NEXT
Shenandoah takes on the winner of the No. 3 Washington and Lee vs No. 6 Bridgewater in the ODAC semi-finals. This game will be played at Shellenberger Field on the University of Lynchburg campus.
MATCH NOTES
- Shenandoah sets a new program record with its 14th win, breaking the mark originally set in 2016.
- This is the second time in program history that SU has earned the quarterfinal round bye
- The last time the ODAC Tournament was hosted by Lynchburg, SU came out of it with its first-ever championship
- Virginia Wesleyan outshot SU 17-13
- The Marlins had a 14-8 edge in penalty corners
- Isabella Morande had nine saves
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