Lebanon Valley 3, Widener 2 (OT)

LVC Starters
Heck, Sheaffer, Fleisher, Dombroski, Youngs, Poltonavage, Van Leuvan, Arnst, Gorman, Garman, Moll

Widener Starters
Adamson, Newlin, Buckley, Renzi, Aires, Quintus, Herr, Riley, Kilpatrick, Lavin, Ninos

How It Happened
Lyndee Sheaffer's overtime goal capped a wild 3-2 victory over MAC Commonwealth foe Widener for Lebanon Valley on Senior Day at Arnold Field on Saturday afternoon.

The senior captain's extra-session score came off of two beautiful passes; the first when a streaking Maddie Fox threaded the legs of a Widener defender to find a wide-open Molly Van Leuvan, and the second when Van Leuvan made a move to her right to draw out Pride goalkeeper Mikayla Ninos before centering to Sheaffer for the game-winning blast in front with 3:08 left in OT.

The Flying Dutchmen (10-6, 5-1 MAC Commonwealth) saw their 2-0 first half advantage disappear after the break when Widener (6-8, 1-5 MAC Commonwealth) netted a pair of goal within a five minute stretch.

Alyssa Buckley converted her attempt in the 49th minute and Kelly Rodgers scored the equalizer in the 54th.

Maddie Fox gave LVC a two-score cushion thanks to her converting a rebound attempt after Megan Arnst's initial attempt was stopped by Ninos with less than four minutes remaining in the first half.

The Dutchmen broke an early, scoreless stalemate when Kelsey Heck corralled a Van Leuavan pass and finished off her attempt from point-blank range with 16:31 left to play in the first half.  

Notable Performers
Molly Van Leuvan, Lyndee Sheaffer, Kelsey Heck, Kristen Garman – These players were among those recognized during LVC's Senior Day ceremony prior to this afternoon's game and they made the most of their final regular season home game. Van Leuvan assisted on the game's first and last scores, Sheaffer put home the game-winner in overtime, Heck converted the contest's opening score, and Garman was her usual strong self, defensively, making a crucial defensive save late in regulation.



Class of 2016
LVC head coach Carol Miller offered reflection on the impact of each of the team's eight seniors. Her words about each young lady are below.

Raeann La Flame
We were pleasantly surprised by how well Rae's soccer IQ transferred over to the field hockey field. Although she chose to give up the stick for managerial duties, to this day, she is still someone who understands this game conceptually and tactically better than most, and she has assisted me in helping our younger players learn our game. Rae, thank you for volunteering and sacrificing your afternoons and weekends for the betterment of our team.

Juliana Shuty '16
J stayed on as a manager after a career-ending injury. From that day forward, we have all benefitted greatly by her presence on the team. She is not only organized and responsible, she has also been kind, insightful, and mature. It could not have been easy for her, to see others playing when she knew she could no longer assume that role. So thank you, J, for everything you do to keep us going.

Liz Decembrino
Liz came to the team last spring when she heard we only had one goalie for practices. She unselfishly put on the pads after two and a half years out of them, and soon looked and performed like a veteran keeper again. When she decided to continue with the team this fall, I was pleased not just because of what I believed she could contribute to the team, but also, because she truly is a very special, considerate, thoughtful, and appreciative individual. She is someone whom I believe wholeheartedly has made our team better simply by her presence.

Kristen Garman
Kristen is one of the most proficient defenders and playmakers in the conference. As a captain the last two years, a role to which she accepted with much appreciation and unpretentiousness, she has and will always put the team first. Her skills, knowledge, and experience on the field enable teammates to develop confidence, and assuredly knowing that she is behind them both literally and figuratively. Thank you Kristen, for all you have given unselfishly to LVC, your team, and especially your coaches. We all still have work to do so let's keep leading on.

Kelsey Heck
Kelsey is simply the catalyst and engine on this team, and the one whom the coaching staff believes sets the gold standard for this team's work ethic. She not only sets the bar high, but she inspires and challenges others to do the same. She has developed a leadership style that encompasses her own competitiveness, while reaching out to understand others' motivations and needs so she can bring them along with her on the pursuit of being the best one can be. Kelsey, thank you for accepting the responsibility of inspiring others around you to constantly improve, and for teaching us all that hard work does pay off.

Kendra Moll
Kendra has shown herself to be one of the best goalies in our conference as proven last year by her first-team all-conference nod. This year, she's been asked to assume an even greater role as a veteran, role model, and mentor to our five-strong goalkeeper unit. On a daily basis, she provides a plethora of experience and proficiency to not only her fellow goalies, but also the team as a whole. Kendra is also one of the most generous, charitable, and thoughtful individuals on the team, as well as a natural leader and organizer. Kendra, thank you for the sacrifices you have made throughout your career here at LVC and for your modesty and genuineness.

Lyndee Sheaffer
Lyndee's presence was felt immediately upon her joining our team. We knew she possessed an amazing ability and competitiveness to finish the play. As our leading goal-scorer the last two seasons, she was ready to assume a more versatile role for us this fall, a role not only of captain and playmaker, but also confidante, motivator, and model student-athlete. You can always count on Lyndee for her honesty and true passion for her team, college, and the game. Lyndee, you are a true joy to watch perform, and thank you for giving all that you have to LVC and your team.

Molly Van Leuvan
Molly is one of those athletes with whom you truly appreciate her work ethic, heart, and stylishness (both on and off the field that is). She has worked diligently and tenaciously on developing her game, and approaches practice with an intensity and drive rarely seen at this level. Her teammates view her as compassionate, honest, and mature beyond her years. I simply view her as one of the most kind-hearted, approachable, and inspirational individuals I have ever coached. Thank you Molly for everything you have devoted to LVC and your team.

Inside the Numbers
- Lebanon Valley clinched a MAC Commonwealth postseason tournament berth with the win today.
- Today's game was LVC's third overtime contest of the season. The team has yet to lose an overtime game this fall.
- Widener outshot the Dutchmen 11-to-10 overall and 10-to-7 in shots-on-goal.
- The Pride won the penalty corner battle 10-to-9.
- LVC goalkeepers Kendra Moll and Victoria ByDeLey combined to eight saves on the day. Mikayla Ninos made four stops for Widener.
- Lyndee Sheaffer and Maddie Fox led the Dutchmen with two shots-on-goal apiece.
- Lebanon Valley finished the season with a 5-1 regular season record at Arnold Field.

Who's Next?
LVC finishes the regular season by traveling to Stevenson for a MAC Commonwealth matchup that will determine playoff positioning for the league's postseason tournament. Game time is set for 7 p.m.