Box Score For immediate release – 10/24/2015 - #144
Simpao's Game-Winner Helps #11 Field Hockey Oust ODAC-Leader Shenandoah 3-2
WINCHESTER, VA – Freshman Nikki Simpao found the net twice, once as the game-winner, to help the #11 Lynchburg College field hockey team hand Shenandoah University its first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) loss of the season on Saturday afternoon.
The home team scored first when Kilani Bailey found Elizabeth Pardo to gain the early 1-0 lead four minutes in.
The visiting Hornets answered right back two minutes later on a penalty corner when Karissa LeMaire found Simpao for her first score of the game.
A defensive save from Shenandoah's Lauren Kesler prevented LC from going ahead not long after the previous goal, but Lynchburg would score on a short corner situation as Catherine Rogerson assisted Kayla Copeman, another freshman, to gain a 2-1 advantage at 13:15.
At 29:28, Lynchburg goalkeeper Beka Hess stopped a penalty stroke by the home team, sending the visiting Hornets into the break with the lead.
Seven minutes into the second half Shenandoah would strike again, this time by means of Kayla Alderman to tie the game at two.
The teams went back and forth before Lynchburg knocked on the door in a series of plays at the 58th minute. LeMaire inserted a corner that found its way to Meredith Bradsher who shot was saved by Shenandoah net-minder Jessica Brown. Alyssa Mills followed up off of a rebound which was again saved by Brown. Then LC was stopped once more as Simpao's attempt was halted by defender Presha Merrit, but a penalty stroke was called following that play. Simpao lined up and found the back of the cage for the second time in the match, giving Lynchburg a 3-2 lead with 11 minutes to play.
Hess, who finished with six saves, would make a few more stops in the final minutes of play as the Lynchburg defense held strong to close the game.
Brown finished with seven saves for Shenandoah (10-5, 5-1). The Hornets of Winchester have one more ODAC game against Bridgewater College remaining to close out their season.
Lynchburg (13-3, 4-1) still has two more ODAC contests to play next week, both of which are on its home turf. Next up the Hornets will play Eastern Mennonite University on Thursday, a game that is set to begin at 7 p.m.
