For the first time since 1984, the Lancaster Bible College field hockey program is celebrating a victory, as the Chargers defeated Sweet Briar, 2-0 at the Donald H. Funk Field on Friday afternoon. Lancaster Bible is in its second season as a varsity sport after dropping field hockey after the 1985 season, so while it isn't officially the first win in 35 years, the victory does snap a 15-game losing streak over the past two seasons, and a 26-game losing streak over the course of the program's history.
 
How it Happened: Despite playing a player down for the entire contest, Lancaster Bible controlled much of the possession and play in the first half. The Chargers had an early scoring chance, as Mariah Romig's shot was saved in the circle, just 1:49 into the contest. The Chargers and Vixens exchanged possessions the rest of the quarter, but neither had a great chance to score.
 
In the second quarter, Lancaster Bible continued to pressure the Sweet Briar defense, and got back-to-back penalty corners, the second of which nearly resulted in a goal, but was just out of the reach of Brooke Sareyka.
 
After all of the possession and pressure, Lancaster Bible finally broke through just 53 seconds into the third quarter, as Sareyka gathered a rebound in front of Sweet Briar goalkeeper Rosemary Austin, and scored through the five-hole to give the Chargers a 1-0 lead.
 
Just 4:40 later, Macy Balmer's fine stick work at the top of the circle gave her space, and she found Mariah Romig who passed to Nina Statuti, who then scored into the left-hand part of the cage to double Lancaster Bible's lead at 2-0.
 
Sweet Briar began to hold more and more of the possession throughout the latter part of the third quarter, and much of the fourth quarter, but Lancaster Bible's defense hung tough, and limited the Vixens' scoring chances. Lancaster Bible goalkeeper Chloe Campbell made all four of her saves in the second half, earning her first collegiate shutout.
 
Statistically Speaking: Lancaster Bible led in shots, 9-8, including 6-4 in shots on goal…Sweet Briar had eight penalty corners, while the Chargers had six…Each goalkeeper made four saves.
 
The Coach Says: "I'm very proud of how the girls stayed composed and worked together for 60 minutes  today," Lancaster Bible Head Coach Becky Elliott said. "We had some space to work with today, and we took advantage of it, and created some good offensive opportunities. I think Chloe Campbell has been a great addition to our defense, and her potential is just starting to be seen."
 
News & Notes: Lancaster Bible is now 1-3 all-time against Sweet Briar…The Chargers lost all three games against the Vixens last season…The victory is also the first for Lancaster Bible at the Donald H. Funk Field…The Chargers were 0-6 in home games a year ago…The Chargers already have more goals this season (3), than they did last season (2)…Campbell's shutout is the first since the Chargers brought back field hockey a year ago.
 
Up Next: Lancaster Bible is right back in action on Saturday, as the Chargers host Immaculata at 1 p.m.