ANNVILLE, Pa. ­­– Junior Lexi Ward and sophomore Rebecca Lane scored key goals in the fourth quarter to propel the Lebanon Valley College field hockey team to a 2-0 victory over Eastern University on Saturday night at Arnold Field. 

Lebanon Valley (4-3) and Eastern (2-3) battled defensively throughout the game, as neither team got on the scoreboard until the final quarter. Shots were limited for both sides in the first half, as the Flying Dutchmen tallied just four shot attempts and the Eagles took only three. LVC created more scoring opportunities in the second half, recording two goals that proved to be the difference in the game.  

Eastern attempted to start the offense in the first quarter, taking a pair of shots on goal within a span of 17 seconds just over 12 minutes into the game. Sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Jancsarics saved both of these shots, preventing the opposition from jumping out to an early lead. Lebanon Valley took each of its first half shots during the second quarter, but its offense was ultimately held in check. LVC's defense was also productive in the second frame, limiting Eastern to one shot.

The Flying Dutchmen were more aggressive offensively in the second half, taking eight shots in the third quarter and six shots in the fourth. The team's defense also delivered a stellar effort in the final two frames, keeping the Eagles from attempting a shot in the half. 

Lebanon Valley opened the scoring with 11:38 left the fourth quarter, taking a 1-0 lead over Eastern. Ward scored the first goal of the night by sending a shot to the back of the cage. The Dutchmen tacked on another point shortly after, extending their advantage to 2-0 with 10:58 remaining in the fourth. Coming off a penalty corner, senior Emily Kline sent the ball towards the cage before deflecting off the stick of Lane and into the back of the cage for the goal. The teams continued to battle during the remaining minutes, but LVC preserved its two-goal lead to hold on for the win. 

Inside the Box Score:

• Lebanon Valley picked up its second shutout victory of the season. 
• The Dutchmen out-shot the Eagles 18 to three. 
• Ward scored her second goal of the campaign. 
• Lane found the back of the cage for the fourth time this year, which leads the team. 
• Kline was credited with the assist on Lane's goal. 
• LVC recorded 13 penalty corners, while Eastern had two. 
• Lebanon Valley's defense kept Eastern from taking a shot in the second half.
• Jancsarics made a pair of saves.

Up Next
Lebanon Valley will return to action at 1 p.m. Sept. 23, as the program will travel to take on Montclair State University at Sprague field in Montclair, N.J.

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