BRIDGEWATER, Va. – The Shenandoah University field hockey team won a hard-fought pivotal conference matchup with Bridgewater on Wednesday evening against the Bridgewater Eagles by a score of 7-4. The Hornets (14-2, 7-1) got a hat trick from
Cassidy Morrison and two goals from
Claudia Lenahan to help get past the Eagles (7-7, 5-3.).
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Shenandoah had the edge with shots 33-17, and shots on goal 21-14.
Taylor Swann got the start in the cage and made 10 saves in the contest; the first time this season the junior had double-digit saves.
Claudia Lenahan scored two goals in the contest to give her eight on the season.
Cassidy Morrison chipped in with a hat trick for her fourth, fifth, and sixth goals of the season.
Farren Winter scored her sixth of the season on a penalty shot.
Mackenzie Watkins scored her second of the season, as time expired.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In a fast-paced, back-and-forth game, the Hornets and Eagles traded goals quickly in the first quarter.
Claudia Lenahan got the Hornets on the board with a goal in the 9
th minute off of an assist from
Madison Short. Bridgewater wasted little finding the equalizer in the 11
th minute. But with time winding down in the opening period, Lenahan would find the back of the cage for the second time in the opening quarter to put the Hornets back on top 1-0.
With their backs against the wall, the Eagles would tie the game for a second time in the 22
nd minute. The resilient Hornets would regain the lead in the 26
th minute with
Cassidy Morrison's first of the day, off an assist from
Mairead McKibbin. As the theme of the first half would be, Bridgewater found the equalizing goal late in the first half, and both teams entered the break with the game tied at 2.
After the break, the break it was a different Hornet team that would be on the field. Shots by
Camryn DeLeva and
Mairead McKibbin would force the Eagle goalie to make save after save. The Hornets would find the back of the cage for their fourth lead of the game in the 40
th minute off of a penalty corner.
Madison Short would play the ball to the top of the circle where
Farren Winter would find an open
Cassidy Morrison for the second goal of the game.
In the fourth, Morrison would complete the hat trick early in the period to give the Hornets the first two-goal lead.
Farren Winter would add an insurance goal off of a penalty shot to give Shenandoah a 6-3 lead. However, Bridgewater would not go away and they would score for the fourth time in the 58
th minute.
Mackenzie Watkins would add the final nail in the coffin, as she capitalized on a penalty corner on an assist from
Mallory Holup.
UP NEXT
The Hornets return home for the final home game of the regular season with a conference matchup with Sweet Briar. Before the game, we will honor the careers of six Hornet seniors.
#GoSUHornets
