The Lancaster Bible College Field Hockey played their first of two games in Virginia this weekend, losing 3-2 to Sweet Briar on Friday afternoon. The Chargers fall to 1-6 overall while the Vixens improve to 2-4 overall.
 
How it Happened:
The Vixens jumped on the scoreboard early with a goal in the first two minutes, putting the Chargers down 1-0. Freshman Gabby Dunlap fired a shot that was saved, then the teams traded possession for the remainder of the quarter to wrap up the first 15 minutes.
 
The second quarter was a defensive battle as both teams fended off shots. The Chargers drew two penalty corners in the quarter, with senior Haley Stahl and sophomore Riley Danko getting shots off to put pressure on goal. The Vixens were able to carry a 1-0 lead into halftime.
 
Flipping the script from the first half, both teams turned up the offense with goals from both sides. Sweet Briar connected on two goals early in the quarter, scoring both within five minutes of each other. Less than a minute after falling to a 3-0 hole, the Chargers responded as Danko found senior Molly Gray for a goal, cutting it to a two-goal lead. Trailing by two in the fourth quarter, senior Mattie Krieg found the back of the box for her first goal of the season off an assist from Gray, making it a one-goal affair with three minutes remaining. The Vixens, however, were able to fend off the Chargers and close out the game 3-2.

From the Coach: "We struggled to play to our potential and adjust to the fast surface," said Head Coach Becky Elliott. "While the goals by Molly and Mattie gave us a spark, it was too little too late. We have a short time to regroup, but confident this team will be ready for our game tomorrow."
 
By the Numbers:
- The Vixens outshot Lancaster Bible 16-7 and just edged the Chargers in penalty corners 7-6
- Molly Gray scored a goal and notched her first assist of 2024
- Mattie Krieg scored her first goal of the season and Riley Danko added an assist
- Amanda Hoover made eight saves in goal
- The Vixens were led by Emmi Burdine with two goals and an assist
 
Information to Know:
The Chargers are now 1-7 all-time against Sweet Briar, their lone win coming in 2019 at home. Senior Molly Gray is currently second in the United East in both goals (4) and points (9), while sophomore Riley Danko is tied for the conference lead in assists with three. In addition, Danko has set the Lancaster Bible Field Hockey program record with six assists in just two seasons, adding one today on the goal by Gray.
 
Up Next:
The Chargers head to Virginia Beach, Va. to take on Virginia Wesleyan for the first time in program history at 2:00 p.m.