For immediate release – 11/7/2012 - #159
Field Hockey Survives Scare in OT, Leonard Continues Hornet Season

LYNCHBURG, VA—The NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament is full of quality teams. Lynchburg College got past the first one Wednesday night, bringing down Catholic University 4-3 in overtime.

The Hornet seniors were not ready to end their LC careers as co-captain Lindsay Leonard and fellow senior Ashley Nelson did the heavy lifting in the extra session.

Nelson was able to take the ball into the circle before crossing it to Leonard who ended the game 48 seconds into overtime.

Lynchburg took an early lead in the game, scoring two goals in the first four minutes of the match. Junior Kelli Williams assisted on a score by sophomore Katie Kline less than a minute in. The Hornets rode that momentum with an unassisted goal by senior co-captain Shelly Milks at 3:12.

The tide turned in the favor of the Cardinals shortly after that goal. Junior Melanie Tenney was awarded a penalty stroke five minutes into the game. Tenney's attempt was denied by Catholic keeper Megan Comunale. The Cardinals settled down after that stop, taking the momentum from LC.

Hayley Wright scored the first goal for Catholic at 25:54 assisted by Colleen Harwood. Harwood got the second goal for the Cardinals thirty seconds before intermission, lofting it over LC keeper Hannah Myers. Myers got a pad on the ball, but it wasn't enough to stop the Cardinals from tying the contest.

Sophomore Danielle Kreider played a key role in the second half to pick up the Hornets after going into halftime tied 2-2. Milks took the ball up the field, turned in towards the circle once she reached the end line, and centered it to Kreider who slammed it into the back of the cage.

Maura Campbell scored high past Myers on a penalty stroke at 57:47 to force the overtime session. Myers made seven saves on the evening. Comunale made five saves for Catholic.

LC was outshot by Catholic 21-12, but took the only shot in overtime. The Cardinals had the advantage in penalty corners 15-3.

Lynchburg will take on Messiah College (Pa.) Saturday, November 10 at 1 p.m. in a second-round contest. The game will be held on the University of Mary Washington campus in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

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