LYNCHBURG, Va. — Senior Zoe Dolfis and Margaret Cover each found the back of the cage in the second quarter as the No. 19 Washington and Lee University field hockey team shut out top-seeded Lynchburg, 2-0, on Saturday afternoon at Shellenberger Field to capture the program's fifth Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship.
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The second-seeded Generals (14-4) avenged their regular-season overtime loss to the Hornets (14-6), scoring twice in the final 10 minutes of the first half before holding Lynchburg scoreless over the final 30 minutes. First-year goalkeeper Helenka Chodakiewicz made three saves to preserve the shutout as W&L secured the conference's automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament.
The victory marked Washington and Lee's first conference championship since 2022, when the Generals also defeated Lynchburg in the title game, 1-0, in overtime. W&L has now claimed ODAC championships in 2005, 2017, 2021, 2022 and 2026.
Following the contest, four Generals were named to the ODAC All-Tournament Team: Zoe Dolfis, Madeline Lancione, Britty Page and Morgan Craig.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Lynchburg applied pressure early, earning two penalty corners in the opening 90 seconds. Taylor Secrist had an attempt blocked at 1:28 before Washington and Lee began to establish its offensive rhythm.
- The Generals created their first scoring chance at 4:53 when Madeline Lancione tested Lynchburg goalkeeper Shay Schoones. Margaret Scheurer followed with a pair of attempts after a penalty corner, forcing another save at 6:13.
- The Hornets continued to threaten throughout the opening quarter, generating five penalty corners and three shots. Chodakiewicz turned away an attempt from Khanyisile Mzizi at 8:58 to keep the contest scoreless after 15 minutes.
- Washington and Lee increased its pressure early in the second period, forcing a save on Scheurer's attempt at 17:54 before Dolfis had consecutive shots blocked following penalty corners.
- The Generals broke through at 20:29 when Lancione set up Dolfis, who converted the opportunity to give W&L a 1-0 advantage midway through the second quarter.
- Lynchburg looked to respond, earning consecutive penalty corners at 26:20 and 26:26. Chodakiewicz stopped Allie Freeman's attempt before Grace Peterson sent a shot wide, preserving the one-goal lead.
- With just 20 seconds remaining before halftime, Lancione connected with Cover, who finished the opportunity at 29:40 to double the Generals' advantage to 2-0 heading into the break.
- The Hornets controlled much of the offensive pressure in the third quarter, outshooting W&L 4-0 and earning three penalty corners. Chodakiewicz denied Freeman at 36:14, while the Generals' defense blocked three additional attempts to maintain the two-goal cushion.
- Washington and Lee countered with two fourth-quarter shots from Lancione, including an attempt at 49:00 that required a save from Schoones.
- Lynchburg earned its final penalty corner at 54:01, but Sofia Boon's ensuing shot sailed wide. The Generals limited the Hornets to one attempt during the final 15 minutes to secure the shutout and the conference championship.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Zoe Dolfis opened the scoring with her second-quarter goal, finishing with three shots and one on target. The senior was named to the ODAC All-Tournament Team.
- Margaret Cover provided the insurance goal with 20 seconds remaining in the first half, converting her only shot of the contest.
- Madeline Lancione assisted on both W&L goals and recorded three shots, including two on cage. She earned All-Tournament Team recognition.
- Margaret Scheurer registered three shots, placing two on goal.
- Britty Page contributed to the Generals' offensive pressure, taking several penalty corners throughout the contest. She was selected to the All-Tournament Team.
- Morgan Craig helped anchor a defensive unit that limited Lynchburg to three shots on goal and held the Hornets scoreless despite 11 penalty corners. She also earned All-Tournament Team honors.
- Helenka Chodakiewicz played all 60 minutes in cage, making three saves to record the championship shutout and improve to 14-4 on the season.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 5 — ODAC championships in Washington and Lee program history, with the Generals adding the 2026 crown to titles won in 2005, 2017, 2021 and 2022.
- 2-0 — The final score, marking W&L's second shutout victory over Lynchburg in an ODAC championship game since 2022.
- 10-10 — The teams finished even in total shots.
- 6-3 — Washington and Lee's advantage in shots on goal.
- 11-6 — Lynchburg's edge in penalty corners, including five during the opening quarter.
- 5-2 — The Generals' advantage in second-quarter shots, when both championship goals were scored.
- 3 — Saves made by Chodakiewicz to preserve the shutout.
- 4 — Washington and Lee student-athletes named to the ODAC All-Tournament Team.
LYNCHBURG LEADERS
- Allie Freeman paced the Hornets with five shots, including two on goal.
- Taylor Secrist recorded two attempts, while Khanyisile Mzizi, Sofia Boon and Grace Peterson each added one.
- Shay Schoones made four saves across 60 minutes in goal, allowing two second-quarter tallies.
- Lynchburg finished with 10 shots and 11 penalty corners but was unable to solve the Generals' defense.
UP NEXT
Washington and Lee earns the ODAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament. The Generals will await the NCAA selection announcement to learn their first-round opponent, game location and schedule as they prepare for their return to the national postseason.
