Winchester, Va. – Senior captain
Madison Short scored the game-winning goal with under two minutes remaining to propel the Shenandoah University field hockey team to a thrilling 3–2 victory over #25 Washington and Lee in an ODAC showdown Wednesday night at Aikens Stadium.
The Hornets improved to 10–3 overall and 3–1 in conference play, while the Generals dropped to 8–4, 2–1 ODAC.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Shenandoah opened the game with a burst of energy after falling behind early. Washington and Lee struck first just 73 seconds into the contest when Madeline Lancione scored off a feed from Zoe Dolfis to make it 1–0.
The Hornets quickly responded.
Kierney Weigle tied the game at the 6:17 mark, finishing a setup from
Claudia Lenahan, and moments later Lenahan gave Shenandoah the lead. Her goal at 11:04 – assisted by Short and
Camryn DeLeva following a penalty corner – put the Hornets up 2–1 after the opening period.
Washington and Lee's Lancione struck again midway through the second quarter to level the score at 2–2, where it stayed through a tense third quarter.
Shenandoah's defense, anchored by goalkeeper
Cassidy Alexander, weathered a relentless Generals attack that produced 24 total shots, 13 of them on target. Alexander was spectacular, recording 11 saves, including three in each of the first three periods to preserve the tie.
In the fourth, Shenandoah regained momentum, earning five penalty corners and capitalizing on the final one. Short buried the go-ahead goal with 1:52 remaining off a setup from Lenahan, sealing the 3–2 victory.
Lenahan led the Hornets offensively with a goal and two assists, while Weigle added one goal. Short finished with a goal and assist, and DeLeva chipped in one on a double-assist corner.
Shenandoah was outshot 24–7 but made the most of its chances, putting four shots on goal and converting three. Washington and Lee held an 11–4 edge in penalty corners, but Alexander and the Hornet back line stood tall under pressure.
UP NEXT
Shenandoah travels to Roanoke College on Saturday for a 1pm tilt.
#GoSUHornets
