LEXINGTON, Va. — The No. 17 Washington and Lee University field hockey team carried a one-goal advantage into the final six minutes before Rowan University scored twice late in the fourth quarter to rally for a 3-2 non-conference victory Sunday afternoon at W&L Turf Field.
The Generals (4-3) led 2-1 for more than 33 minutes after
Zoe Dolfis broke a first-quarter tie with a second-period goal, but the Profs (6-3) continued their recent run of form with their sixth consecutive victory. Rowan entered Sunday having won five straight, including each of its previous three contests against nationally ranked opponents.
Margaret Scheurer factored into both Washington and Lee goals, scoring just 56 seconds into the contest before assisting on Dolfis' second-quarter tally. The Generals put nine of their 13 shots on goal, while Rowan finished with a 17-13 advantage in shots and a 12-4 edge in penalty corners.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- W&L needed less than a minute to open the scoring. Madeline Lancione forced Rowan goalkeeper Ella Morton into a save 48 seconds into the game before Margaret Scheurer found the cage, off the loose ball, eight seconds later to put the Generals ahead 1-0.
- Rowan answered at the 3:34 mark following a stretch of three consecutive penalty corners. Aurelia McManis finished an assist from Sydney Kowalczyk to level the contest at 1-1.
- The Generals generated sustained pressure midway through the second quarter, earning three penalty corners in a span of 1:09. After Morton turned away attempts from Charlotte Dreany and Scheurer, a Zoe Dolfis tip found the back of the net on W&L's third corner at 21:43 off a Scheurer assist to restore the Generals' lead at 2-1.
- Neither team scored in the third quarter, and W&L carried its one-goal advantage into the final 15 minutes. The Generals had an opportunity to add to the lead at 47:12, but Morton stopped Scheurer's attempt.
- Rowan drew even with 5:12 remaining. Following a penalty corner, Sophia Weisler scored off an assist from McManis at 54:48 to make it 2-2. Lancione put an attempt on cage 40 seconds later, but Morton made the save.
- The Profs generated three penalty corners in the final two minutes. Helenka Chodakiewicz made consecutive saves at 58:28 and 58:36 before Sydney Kowalczyk scored off a feed from Weisler at 58:45 to give Rowan its first lead of the afternoon and the eventual 3-2 victory.
TOP W&L PERFORMERS
- Margaret Scheurer recorded a team-high three points with a goal and an assist, her first tally of the season . She placed all three of her shots on goal.
- Zoe Dolfis scored W&L's second goal on her lone shot of the contest.
- Madeline Lancione led the Generals with four shots and placed three attempts on cage.
- Helenka Chodakiewicz made five saves across 60 minutes, including three during the fourth quarter.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 9-8 — Washington and Lee's advantage in shots on goal despite Rowan holding a 17-13 edge in total attempts.
- 6-1 — W&L's advantage in shots during the second quarter, when the Generals scored the go-ahead goal and carried a 2-1 lead into halftime.
- 12-4 — Rowan's advantage in penalty corners, including a 5-1 margin during the fourth quarter.
- 33:05 — The amount of game time Washington and Lee held a 2-1 advantage before Rowan tied the contest with 5:12 remaining.
- 3 — Penalty corners generated by Rowan over the final 1:47, with the final sequence producing the game-winning goal.
ROWAN LEADERS
- Aurelia McManis recorded three points with a goal and an assist while placing two of her four shots on goal.
- Sophia Weisler finished with a goal, scoring the game-tying goal.
- Sydney Kowalczyk scored the decisive goal with 1:15 remaining and added an assist on Rowan's opening tally.
- Mia Foti led all players with six shots, while goalkeeper Ella Morton made seven saves.
UP NEXT
Washington and Lee opens Old Dominion Athletic Conference play Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Generals host No. 19 Shenandoah University at W&L Turf Field. Opening push is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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.
