ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley College field hockey team used an explosive first quarter and another outstanding performance in goal by
Ella Weidenhammer to earn a 4-0 victory over Kean University on Wednesday evening at Arnold Field.
Kean came out aggressively and generated several opportunities during the opening four minutes, but
Ella Weidenhammer was ready for the early pressure. She stopped Shannon Conroy just 47 seconds into the contest before making another save on Kelseigh Sargent at 1:08. Conroy tested her again at 3:52, and the LVC goalkeeper once again made the stop to keep the game scoreless.
After weathering Kean's early attack, the Dutchmen quickly flipped the momentum. LVC earned its first penalty corner at 8:59, and the Dutchmen needed only seconds to capitalize. After
Jillian Tait sent a shot wide, Nasuta put Lebanon Valley on the board at 9:09, finishing a feed from
Lauren Foster for her fourth goal of the season and a 1-0 advantage. The Dutchmen struck again just 32 seconds later. Another Nasuta penalty corner set up the opportunity, and Tait found the cage at 9:41 off an assist from
Abby Rodenberger. The tally was Tait's ninth of the year and gave LVC a 2-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the contest.
Kean attempted to cut into the advantage during the second quarter, but Weidenhammer continued to shut the door. She denied Sophia Candeloro at 19:28 and stopped another Conroy attempt at 20:27 as the Cougars generated back-to-back penalty corners. LVC then added to its lead late in the half. Following a Dutchmen penalty corner at 27:30,
Claire Weidenhammer converted a penalty stroke at 27:42 for her 16th goal of the season, extending the advantage to 3-0.
The Cougars increased the pressure in the third quarter, but LVC's defense refused to give them a breakthrough.
Ella Weidenhammer stopped Stoner at 35:12 and Madison Brege at 39:40. Kean later earned another penalty corner and had a Conroy attempt blocked before Weidenhammer denied Stoner again at 41:56. Lebanon Valley also generated chances at the other end during the period, with
Lilah Shaub forcing a save from Kean goalkeeper Daniella Maresca and
Danika Setlock sending an attempt wide.
The Dutchmen continued to put the Cougars under pressure in the fourth quarter. Nasuta forced Lydia Gilligan into a save at 46:44 before Kean produced another opportunity at the opposite end. Weidenhammer stopped Candeloro at 51:42 to keep the shutout intact. LVC made one final offensive push in the closing minutes.
Claire Weidenhammer put an attempt on goal at 54:41 before the Dutchmen peppered the cage with three consecutive shots in the final two minutes.
Isabella Gonnion found the cage at 58:58 as she knocked in a ball that
Claire Weidenhammer pushed past the goalie, putting the finishing touch on LVC's 4-0 victory.
Inside the Box
- Claire Weidenhammer recorded two points on one goal and one assist, including a penalty-stroke tally. She has converted all three penalty strokes she has taken this season.
- Tait scored one goal on three shots. The junior has scored in each of the last three games.
- Nasuta scored her fourth goal of the season while anchoring the defense.
- Gonnion scored her second goal of the season.
- Foster recorded her second assist of the year while Rodenberger recorded her first.
- Ella Weidenhammer recorded her sixth shutout of the season with 10 saves.
Up Next
The Dutchmen return to Arnold Field on Saturday, Oct. 17, when they host FDU-Florham at 1 p.m. for Senior Day in a MAC Freedom contest.
Stay Connected
Be sure to follow @lvcathletics on
Instagram,
X, and
Facebook for the most in-depth coverage of LVC Athletics.
