LYNCHBURG, Va. — Senior
Zoe Dolfis scored with 20 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime, but unranked University of Lynchburg netted the golden goal in the 68th minute to hand the No. 19 Washington and Lee University field hockey team a 3-2 setback Wednesday evening in a battle of Old Dominion Athletic Conference unbeatens.
The Generals (11-4, 6-1 ODAC) saw their seven-game winning streak snapped as the Hornets (12-5, 7-0 ODAC) remained unbeaten in conference competition. Taylor Secrist scored twice for Lynchburg, including a go-ahead goal with 1:56 remaining in regulation, before Dolfis answered in the final seconds. Khanyisile Mzizi secured the victory at 67:11 with the overtime winner.
Madeline Lancione opened the scoring for W&L in the third quarter, while
Libby Bowers assisted on Dolfis' late equalizer. The Generals held a narrow 12-11 advantage in shots, with both teams placing nine attempts on goal. Lynchburg finished with a 9-5 edge in penalty corners.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Washington and Lee tested Lynchburg goalkeeper Shay Schoones early, forcing saves on attempts from Zoe Dolfis and Britty Page in the opening five minutes. Margaret Scheurer sent another opportunity high at 5:02 as the Generals recorded three shots and two penalty corners in the first quarter.
- The Hornets countered with three shots and three penalty corners during the opening period, but W&L's defense registered three defensive saves to keep the contest scoreless through 15 minutes.
- Neither team broke through in the second quarter. Margaret Cover produced the period's lone shot at 27:29 following a penalty corner, but Lynchburg's Allie Freeman came up with a defensive save to preserve the scoreless tie at halftime.
- Lancione put the Generals on the board at 36:41, scoring unassisted to give W&L a 1-0 lead. Lynchburg answered at 42:57 when Grace Peterson set up Secrist for the equalizer, sending the teams into the final quarter tied at 1-1.
- The score remained deadlocked until the closing minutes of regulation. Following a Lynchburg penalty corner, Mzizi found Secrist, who converted her second goal of the evening at 58:04 to put the Hornets ahead 2-1.
- Facing a one-goal deficit, Washington and Lee mounted a late response. Bowers connected with Dolfis, who buried the equalizer at 59:40 to force overtime with just 20 seconds remaining in regulation.
- Lynchburg threatened early in the extra period, earning a penalty corner at 62:01. Helenka Chodakiewicz turned away consecutive shots from Peterson at 62:17 and 62:24 to keep the Generals alive.
- W&L responded with four overtime attempts, including shots from Dolfis and Scheurer that required saves from Schoones. The Generals earned a penalty corner at 64:50 but could not capitalize.
- The Hornets secured the victory at 67:11 following a penalty corner. Freeman delivered a pass to Mzizi, who found the back of the cage for the golden goal to hand W&L its first conference loss of the season.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Zoe Dolfis scored the game-tying goal with 20 seconds remaining in regulation and led the Generals with four shots, including three on goal.
- Madeline Lancione opened the scoring with an unassisted third-quarter goal, placing both of her attempts on cage.
- Libby Bowers supplied the assist on Dolfis' late equalizer.
- Margaret Scheurer recorded two shots, including one on target.
- Margaret Cover, Britty Page and Anna Treese each contributed a shot on goal.
- Helenka Chodakiewicz played all 67:11 in cage, making two goalkeeper saves, both in overtime. The Generals' defense added four defensive saves, including three in the opening quarter.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 12-11 — Washington and Lee's narrow advantage in total shots.
- 9-9 — The teams finished even in shots on goal.
- 9-5 — Lynchburg's edge in penalty corners, including two in overtime.
- 4-4 — The teams were even in overtime shots, with each goalkeeper making two saves during the extra period.
- 20 — Seconds remaining in regulation when Dolfis scored the equalizer to force overtime.
- 6 — Total saves by Washington and Lee, including two goalkeeper saves and four defensive stops.
- 7 — Total saves by Lynchburg, including six goalkeeper saves and one defensive save.
- 7 — Consecutive victories by the Generals before Wednesday's setback, their first in ODAC competition this season.
LYNCHBURG LEADERS
- Taylor Secrist led the Hornets with two goals on three shots, all on target, including the go-ahead tally late in the fourth quarter.
- Khanyisile Mzizi registered three points on the overtime game-winner and an assist, finishing with three shots and two on goal.
- Grace Peterson contributed an assist and placed both of her shots on cage.
- Allie Freeman assisted on the winning goal and added a defensive save.
- Shay Schoones played all 67:11 in goal, recording six goalkeeper saves while allowing two goals.
UP NEXT
Washington and Lee returns to W&L Turf Field to host Batten at 3 p.m. in its regular-season finale.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
