Field Hockey
Lebanon Valley 5, Eastern Mennonite 3

Box Score

ANNVILLE, Pa. - Jocelyn Novak's 18th career hat trick and three assists by Caitlin Vasey powered Lebanon Valley past Eastern Mennonite, 5-3, on Saturday.

The Dutchmen (6-4) never trailed after taking a 2-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes, and goals by Novak and Cate Cusack 1:08 apart early in the second half blew open a 3-2 game to make it 5-2.

Vasey's three assists brought her to 42 for her career, putting now three behind former teammate Shelly Lobach '11 for the all-time LVC lead. Playing in rain and unseasonably cold temperatures, LVC held a commanding 25-14 shots advantage on the Royals (5-5).

Novak opened the scoring 4:31 into the game, taking a cross from Vasey before Jess Cox made it 2-0 at 9:30 with an unassisted dribble and hit from the right side of the arc.

EMU cut it to 2-1 on Jenessa Dertine's goal at 31:27, but Novak stole one back with just two seconds left in the half, driving in a rebounded Mandi Albright shot to make it 3-1 at the break.

Jenna Longenecker scored first for EMU in the second half, chipping the ball over a diving Chloe Baro to bring the Royals within a goal, but two quick strikes by Novak and Cusack - both created by Vasey - made it LVC's game at 5-2.

EMU tacked in a 50th-minute goal from Becca Longenecker, but LVC would control the final 20 minutes to finish it at 5-3.

Christine Poletti picked up the win with five saves in the start; Baro played 16:07 of relief. Mary Beth Danaher stopped 14 in the losing effort, including eight saves in the first half to keep her team in it. EMU led 8-4 on corners.

LVC will hit the road to Arcadia on Tuesday for a Commonwealth Conference game.