Field Hockey
#6 Lebanon Valley 7, Mary Washington 3

Box Score

ANNVILLE, Pa. - Lebanon Valley scored three times in the first three minutes, then held off a comeback by Mary Washington as it went on to win, 7-3, on Saturday.

Jocelyn Novak notched her 11th career hat trick and Allison Bicher added two goals, while Caitlin Vasey had a goal and two assists for the Dutchmen (3-0). The Eagles (1-3) were unable to repeat their upset win over LVC last year.

Novak's three goals moved her into the third on the LVC career points list with 152, passing Alissa Mowrer '95's 146; next up is Barb Hall '72's second-place total of 176. Novak also now as 72 career goals, with the career record of 88 held by Hall.

It looked too easy in the opening minutes for LVC as Vasey buried a rebound just 28 seconds into the game, and the sophomore then set up Novak's first goal 1:20 later. Bicher added her first at 2:42 to put LVC up 3-0, but the Dutchmen continued to extend their lead after a UMW timeout, first with an incredible one-time, mid-air volley by Novak from Vasey at 12:10, and then with Cait Eckenrode's first goal of the year at 13:39.

The 5-0 lead didn't prove to be safe, however, as Mary Washington swung control their way and went on their own three-goal spurt starting with Kaitlyn Ripley's tally at 14:55. Caitlin Baker added one two minutes later, and Morgan Jones scored off a corner at 18:46 to cut the LVC lead to 5-3.

Despite near-constant pressure, the LVC defense held, and Novak added an insurance goal at 41:41 off Bicher's assist before Bicher added her second thanks to Jenni Walker's hit off a corner with just over two minutes left.

Christine Poletti (3-0) and Chloe Baro split halves in goal, but neither made a save; LVC's lone save was a defensive stop by Lauren Seidenstricker in the first half. UMW starter Chrissy Bowdren allowed four in 12:43 of work, and reliever Clair Gianelle made four saves in 57:19 of work.

LVC led 16-6 on shots but UMW held it to 5-5 in the first half; the Eagles led by a 12-8 margin on corners, including 7-2 in the first.

Lebanon Valley visits Dickinson on Tuesday.