LEXINGTON, Va. - - Junior forward Christina Merchant's (Midlothian, Va./Collegiate) goal just 54 seconds into the first overtime period propelled the Washington and Lee field hockey team to its first win of the season, a 1-0 overtime decision over Catholic.

Merchant's game winner was set up by sophomore midfielder Emily Mathews (Baltimore, Md./Bryn Mawr) when she fed a pass to junior forward Sallie Armstrong (Houston, Texas/St. John's) who let loose with a shot from the top of the circle that Merchant got a stick on and deflected past Catholic (3-2) keeper Marian Cassilly. The goal came after W&L (1-4) had been granted just its second penalty corner of the game.

Neither team generated much in the way of scoring opportunities as the game featured just six combined shots on goal. Junior netminder Caroline Habliston (Alexandria, Va./St. Stephen's & St. Agnes) played the entire game in goal for the Generals and made two saves en route to her first shutout of the season. Cassilly made four saves for the Cardinals.

The 54 second overtime marked the second time in the last week that W&L has played an overtime lasting less than one minute. The Generals lost to No. 10 Johns Hopkins 58 seconds into the first overtime on Sunday.

The Generals will look for their second win of the season on Saturday when they travel to Lynchburg for a 1:00 pm game.

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Scoring Summary:
W&L – Christina Merchant (Sallie Armstrong, Emily Mathews): 70:54 (OT)

Goalkeepers:
Caroline Habliston (W&L) – 70:54, 2 saves, 0 GA
Marian Cassilly (CUA) – 70:54, 4 saves, 1 GA

Team Stats:
W&L – 8 shots, 2 penalty corners, 2 saves
CUA – 7 shots, 6 penalty corners, 4 saves