Winchester, Va. – History made! The Shenandoah University Hornets, ranked No. 8 in the nation, showcased their strength with a powerful 11-0 win over Westfield State University in the first round of the NCCA Tournament. This victory not only marks the first NCAA tournament win in program history but also highlights Shenandoah's ongoing stellar season (19-2, 8-0). The Hornets displayed their depth, with seven players scoring goals and an impressive defensive effort that shut down Westfield's offense completely.

Game Highlights:

• Top Performers: Mairead McKibbin led the charge with a hat trick, bringing her playoff tally to six goals in the last three games. Farren Winter and Cassidy Morrison each added two goals to the scoreline.
• Supporting Cast: Goals also came from Claudia Lenahan, Kaitlyn Mogar, Kaitlyn Nakamura, and Brinley Tozer. Elizabeth Ranberger orchestrated the attack with a team-high three assists, with contributions from Camryn DeLeva, Farren Winter, and Abbey Ritter.
• Defensive Domination: Shenandoah's defense was impenetrable, limiting Westfield State to zero shots on goal. Taylor Swann and Taylor Bullis combined for the shutout, with Bullis in particular having a stress-free fourth quarter, thanks to the team's overwhelming control.
• Stats Recap: The Hornets out shot their opponents 35-0, placed 24 shots on goal, and dominated penalty corners 13-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

The Hornets started strong, earning their first penalty corner just minutes into the game. After a series of close calls, they broke through in the 12th minute, with Farren Winter scoring off a corner to open the floodgates. Before the first quarter was over, McKibbin doubled the lead, seizing a rebound and sending it past the keeper.

By halftime, the Hornets had secured a 6-0 lead, with contributions from Morrison, McKibbin, and Lenahan, who capitalized on relentless pressure and offensive corner opportunities. The second half continued in similar fashion, with Morrison scoring early in the third quarter, followed by McKibbin completing her hat trick, and more goals from Nakamura, Mogar, and Tozer. Shenandoah's disciplined and aggressive play kept Westfield on the back foot until the final whistle.

UP NEXT

Next up, the Hornets travel to Williamstown, Massachusetts, for the next rounds of the NCAA Tournament. They'll face No. 12 Messiah University on Saturday at 2 p.m., following the matchup between Williams College and Wesleyan (CT) at 11 a.m.

#GoSUHornets