Lynchburg, Va. -- The Lynchburg Field Hockey team sits atop the ODAC after defeating Washington & Lee on Saturday afternoon, 3-1. The Hornets remain undefeated in the conference and hand the Generals their first conference loss on the season.
The atmosphere was electric as alumni packed the parking lot just behind Shellenberger Field for Homecoming weekend and the ladies also honored Beka Hess, Ashley Heuberger and Alyssa Mills for Senior Day. These seniors have a cumulative record of 63-14 and have only lost two conference games, holding a 25-2 conference record in their four years while also helping Lynchburg to ODAC Championships and NCAA berths in 2013 and 2014.
The Hornets struck early after Nikki Simpao found the back of the cage in the 6th minute. Sophomore Kayla Copeman sent a ball into the circle from the right side and it found Simpao who gathered it, took a few touches and then slipped the ball past the keeper. Washington & Lee drew back to even just six minutes later with a goal of their own.
Lynchburg was relentless all day and never gave up on a play and Simpao's second goal was a prime example. The sophomore forward weaved her way through defenders and had only the keeper to beat and fired a shot but it went straight at the keeper. The ball bounced up and Simpao gathered herself, gained control and lit up the scoreboard for a second time.
The final goal for the Hornets was a great piece of individual skill. Sophomore Isabella Eldridge stole the ball from a General midfielder and pushed across the midfield line. Her closest teammate was a few yards behind her so attacker took off down the left side of the field. She dinked the ball past not one but two defenders and then muscled another defender off just long enough to squeeze a shot past the charging goalkeeper and find the back of the cage. The goal is the is the fourth on the season for Eldridge.
Senior goalkeeper Beka Hess had a great game neutralizing multiple W&L attacks before shots could even be unleashed. Hess moves to 6-6 on the season.
Simpao and Heuberger each uncorked three shots while Copeman, Eldridge and freshman Keely Lunsmann added two a piece. Senior Alyssa Mills and junior Karissa LeMaire combined for two to round out the Hornets shooting.
The Field Hockey squad returns to the field for action this upcoming Wednesday, Oct. 19th with Shenandoah visiting for a conference matchup.
