CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The third-seeded Lebanon Valley field hockey team played second-seeded DeSales University tough in a heart-breaking 1-0 defeat to the Bulldogs on Wednesday evening in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom Semifinals.
 
The Dutchmen came out strong and Lexi Ward put a shot on goal 41 seconds into the game. Her attempt was stopped by the Bulldog keeper prior to LVC earning a penalty corner. LVC was unable to get a shot off on the corner attempt. The Dutchmen earned another penalty corner in the third minute but once again the Bulldog defense didn't allow a shot attempt. DeSales took their first shot of the game in the seventh minute as Lauren Jancarics came up with a big first save of the game. Ward had her shot attempt blocked in the 11th minute as the teams went into the quarter break scoreless.
 
The Bullgogs had a pair of penalty corners in the 20th minute with the Dutchmen defense blocking a shot on the first one. A penalty stroke attempt was awarded on the second attempt. Maddie Trocki was able to convert the stroke as she sent the ball into the upper left corner of the cage to give DSU a 1-0 lead. LVC fought right back as Abby Rodenberger had her shot blocked in the 21st minute. Gracie Johnson had a shot go wide left off the following penalty corner from the blocked Rodenberger shot. Jancsarics kept the advantage at one goal with a pair of big saves in the 24th and 25th minutes before Ward had another shot blocked leading to a penalty corner. Sorrell Long had her shot go wide right on the corner and DSU held a 1-0 halftime lead.
 
The third quarter was a defensive battle with LVC taking the only shots of the quarter. Johnson had her shot blocked in the 41st minute. The Dutchmen earned a penalty corner early in the 42nd minute and Long blasted a shot that was kept out of the cage by the Bulldog keeper. The beginning of the fourth quarter started out similar to the third as LVC pressed for the game-tying goal. Long had another shot blocked in the 54th minute off a penalty corner and then Emily Kline had a shot saved off a second penalty corner. The Dutchmen received a third penalty corner and this time Ward had her shot blocked. DeSales got their only shot of the second half in the 58th minute as LVC blocked a Trocki shot attempt. LVC had three penalty corners in the final two minutes and took three shots. Kline had her attempt blocked before Long had a shot saved and a shot blocked.
 
Inside the Box

• Long had a game-high five shots and put two on goal.
• Ward took four shots and put one on goal.
• Kline had two shots and a defensive save.
• Jancsarics made four saves in goal.
• LVC outshot the Bulldogs 14-8 and held an 11-5 advantage in penalty corners.

Up Next
The Dutchmen see their great season come to an end with a 12-7 overall record. Five of their seven losses were by one goal.

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