How It Happened
Lebanon Valley rode a tough defense and timely scoring to pick up a hard-earned non-conference win, 12-8, over Muhlenberg at Arnold Field.

Sam Boyce had a hat trick and Bailey Benz put together a four-point night as the Dutchmen (3-4) raced out to a quick start and never trailed against the Mules (4-2).

After Boyce and Pagels made it a 3-0 lead for LVC, Muhlenberg answered with four of the next six goals, but strikes by Nikki Lloyd and Jenny Simensky helped give LVC a 5-4 lead at halftime. Boyce and Simensky extended it to 7-4 in the opening three minutes of the second half, but Muhlenberg again cut the lead to a goal after consecutive strikes by Kelsey Nagle.

Anna Pagels and Brenna O'Neill scored midway through the half to lead 9-6 before the Mules again reeled in the Dutchmen on goals from Stephanie D'Ascoli and Stephanie Umbach. Umbach's tally at 7:13 would be Muhlenberg's last, however, as Tori Kuntz, Emma Jones, and a final snipe from Bailey Benz put the game out of reach at 12-8 as LVC ran out the clock.

Notables
- Boyce's hat trick was her fourth of the season and sixth-straight multi-goal game. Pagels and Simensky also scored twice.
- Lebanon Valley's defense snapped a 27-game hat trick streak by Muhlenberg's Stephanie Umbach, who scored five against LVC last year and came into the game ranked sixth in the nation in scoring. Umbach was held to two goals, face-guarded all night by Emily Moatz.
- Muhlenberg's offense came into the game averaging 16 goals and 29 shots per game; they were held to eight goals and 18 shots.
- Tori Kuntz came up with six draw controls, including four in the second half, and Emma Jones had five to help give LVC a 14-8 advantage in the circle. After a 5-5 first half, LVC led 9-3 following the break.
- Shelby Morris made six saves to pick up the win. Muhlenberg split goalies, with Kiersten Mulvey stopping three in the first half to take the loss and Sara Allison making five saves in the second half.
- Brenna O'Neill scored the first goal of her career, and it held up as the game-winner to put LVC ahead 9-6 at the midpoint of the second half.
- With three assists, Benz moved to 10 behind Hana Krechel '13 for the all-time program lead. The senior now has 128 career helpers.
- Defensively, Brooke Stotlzfus caused three turnovers and picked up a game-high five ground balls. LVC's midfield transition defense was very strong, holding Muhlenberg to a 10-for-20 clear rate.
- LVC led 25-18 on shots.

Next Up
LVC heads to Susquehanna for their non-conference finale next Tuesday at 5 p.m.