ANNVILLE, Pa. – Clair Weidenhammer scored twice in the first half to give the Lebanon Valley Field Hockey team the halftime lead before a second half rally by DeSales University gave the Bulldogs a 3-2 victory on Wednesday evening at Arnold Field in Annville.
 
The Dutchmen (13-2, 3-1 MAC Freedom) got off to a great start against the Bulldogs (6-9, 2-2 MAC Freedom) as Weidenhammer put a shot on goal in the first minute that was kicked out. Lexi Ward had a shot saved a little over a minute later before Jenna Angstadt put a shot just wide of the cage. LVC took the lead in the fifth minute as Lexi Ward intercepted a pass and then sent a crossing pass to Weidenhammer in front of the cage. The sophomore knocked the ball over the line to put LVC up 1-0. DeSales took its first shot in the seventh minute and Ella Weidenhammer came up with two saves in the next couple of minutes. LVC had a great opportunity to increase the lead in the 12th minute when they were awarded a penalty stroke, but the Bulldog keeper was able to come up with a big save on Sorrell Long's shot.
 
LVC came out strong to begin the second quarter as Weidenhammer, Long, and Mel Mercado had shots saved in the first five minutes of the quarter. DSU had a pair of shots saved in the 24th minute. Amelia Taube hit a perfectly placed bullet up the field that got behind everyone. Rebecca Lane ran it down and with just the keeper to beat, she sent a pass to a streaking Weidenhammer who tapped it into the back of the cage for her second goal of the game. The Dutchmen had a pair of penalty corners late in the half but were unable to get a shot off.
 
The teams played a very defensive first five minutes of the third quarter before the LVC offense went to work with DSU blocking two shots by Gracie Johnson and Ward. Long and Weidenhammer had shots saved in the 39th minute. The Bulldogs were able to score in the 40th minute as Brooke Sodl sent a pass down the right side that Maddie Trocki chased down and then delivered a shot that snuck inside the left post. LVC responded by taking the ball down the field and Ward had her shot saved less than 30 seconds after the goal. A couple minutes later the Bulldogs earned three penalty corners in a span of a minute. They were able to score on the third penalty corner off a deflected crossing pass to even the score at two.

LVC came out to begin the fourth and earned a penalty corner three minutes in. Angstadt's shot off the corner went wide and then a minute later Long had a shot saved. The Bulldogs took the ball down field and had an odd-woman rush. Weidenhammer was able to make the first save on a diving stop. The ball was kicked out toward the top of the circle and then a crossing pass towards the left post was knocked in to give DeSales a 3-2 lead with just over nine minutes remaining. The Dutchmen put three shots on goal in the final nine minutes but were unable to score the equalizer as Weidenhammer, Angstadt, and Mercado all had shots saved.
 
Inside the Box

• Claire Weidenhammer recorded her fourth multi-goal game of the season and has now scored in each of the past five games she has played in. The sophomore leads the team with 13 goals.
• Ward recorded her team-leading seventh assist of the year. She has an assist in each of the past three games.
• Lane recorded her 30th career point with her fourth assist of the season.
• LVC held a 25-11 shot advantage including a 19-8 advantage in shots on goal. The Dutchmen also had 10 penalty corners to just three for the Bulldogs.
• Weidenhammer led the team with eight shots while Angstadt took six and Long had five.
• Ella Weidenhammer made five saves in goal.

Up Next
The Dutchmen will head to Hoboken, New Jersey on Saturday for a huge game with Stevens Institute of Technology in a battle for second place in the conference standings. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m. at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.

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