LEXINGTON, Va. — Senior Zoe Dolfis recorded a hat trick as the No. 19 Washington and Lee University field hockey team closed out the regular season with a 4-0 shutout of Batten University on Saturday afternoon at W&L Turf Field.
The Generals (12-4, 7-1 ODAC) secured a second-place finish in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference standings, earning the opportunity to host an ODAC Tournament semifinal Thursday in Lexington. W&L will await the official tournament bracket and the results of Tuesday's quarterfinal round to determine its opponent.
Dolfis scored once in each of the final three quarters, while Britty Page opened the scoring just 1:35 into the contest. Emma Wirth and Charlotte Dreany supplied assists as Washington and Lee controlled the offensive tempo throughout the afternoon.
The Generals outshot Batten (7-11, 2-6 ODAC) by a 33-2 margin and earned all 12 penalty corners. First-year goalkeeper Helenka Chodakiewicz made one impressive stick-save to secure the shutout as W&L returned to the win column following Wednesday's overtime setback at Lynchburg.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Washington and Lee wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Emma Wirth connected with Britty Page just 1:35 into the opening quarter. Page converted the opportunity to give the Generals an early 1-0 advantage.
- The Generals maintained offensive pressure throughout the first period, recording nine shots and two penalty corners. Batten goalkeeper Berkley Miller turned away attempts from Madeline Lancione, Page and Margaret Scheurer during a 20-second stretch midway through the quarter to keep the deficit at one.
- Senior Zoe Dolfis doubled the Generals' lead at 18:12 with an unassisted goal. After receiving the ball at the top of the circle, Dolfis spun through traffic to create space and fired a shot into the cage for her first goal of the contest. W&L recorded five additional shots in the second quarter, but Miller made two saves to keep Batten within two goals at halftime.
- Batten registered its lone shot on goal at 28:53 when Landry Meyer tested Chodakiewicz, who made the save to preserve the shutout heading into the break.
- Washington and Lee dominated possession following halftime, unleashing 14 shots and earning five penalty corners in the third quarter. Miller made seven saves during the period, including three consecutive stops on attempts from Lancione at 39:10, 39:14 and 39:19.
- Dolfis capitalized on the sustained pressure at 39:19, converting an unassisted goal following the series of saves to extend the Generals' lead to 3-0.
- The Generals capped the scoring at 49:38 following back-to-back penalty corners. Charlotte Dreany kept the play alive after a broken corner attempt and found Dolfis, who completed her hat trick to extend W&L's lead to 4-0.
- Washington and Lee maintained control throughout the remainder of the fourth quarter, holding Batten without a shot for the entire second half. Miller made one final save on an attempt from Noelle Kokolis at 55:03 as the Generals secured the shutout.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Zoe Dolfis led the Generals with six points on three goals, placing four of her five shots on cage.
- Britty Page opened the scoring with her first-quarter goal and finished with three shots, including two on target.
- Madeline Lancione paced all players with 11 shots, putting seven on goal.
- Margaret Scheurer contributed seven shots, including two on cage.
- Margaret Cover added four attempts, placing one on target.
- Emma Wirth recorded the assist on Page's opening goal, while Charlotte Dreany supplied the helper on Dolfis' third tally.
- Helenka Chodakiewicz played all 60 minutes in cage, recording one save to improve to 12-4 on the season.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 33-2 — Washington and Lee's advantage in total shots.
- 17-1 — The Generals' edge in shots on goal.
- 12-0 — W&L's advantage in penalty corners, including five in the third quarter.
- 14 — Shots generated by Washington and Lee during the third quarter, its highest total of any period.
- 13 — Saves recorded by Batten goalkeeper Berkley Miller, including seven in the third quarter.
- 4 — Goals scored by the Generals, with one coming in each quarter.
- 0 — Shots allowed by Washington and Lee in the second half.
- 7-1 — W&L's final ODAC record, securing second place in the regular-season standings.
BATTEN LEADERS
- Berkley Miller played all 60 minutes in cage, making 13 saves while allowing four goals.
- Landry Meyer recorded Batten's lone shot on goal, forcing a second-quarter save from Chodakiewicz.
- Isabelle Rogers registered the visitors' other shot attempt, which was blocked in the opening quarter.
- Batten finished with two shots and did not earn a penalty corner.
UP NEXT
Washington and Lee will await the official ODAC Tournament bracket following the conclusion of regular-season play this evening. The Generals finished second in the conference standings with a 7-1 record and will host a semifinal contest Thursday at W&L Turf Field in Lexington.
W&L's opponent will be determined following Tuesday night's quarterfinal round, with the Generals seeking a berth in the ODAC championship game.
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.
