For immediate release – 9/9/2015 - #031
LC Field Hockey Knocks Off #16 Christopher Newport 3-2

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Lynchburg College field hockey team upset #16 Christopher Newport University in non-conference action with an all-around team effort to win 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Heavy rain and lightning delayed the start of the competition, but the delay did not hinder the Hornets' energy coming into their big game against the Captains.  LC found itself with an offensive advantage inside of the circle early as freshman Mallory Henderson found Morgan Lammando who scored the first goal only 1:25 into the game. 

The Captains were quick to answer the Lynchburg goal, scoring moments later as Carol Thompson scored off a deflection from Lisa Murphy's pass.  Each team went back and forth through the rest of the half, resulting in a 1-1 tie by halftime.

Lynchburg came out strong to start the second half as it did the first, scoring at the 36:07 mark.  Karissa LeMaire sent a penalty corner insert to the top of the circle for freshman Nicole Simpao.  Simpao took a gentle stop and a sturdy strike to send the ball through traffic and into the boards to regain the lead for the home squad.  But the Hornets weren't done.

Six minutes later, midfielder Meredith Bradsher sent in a cross from the right top of the circle to the left side where LeMaire tipped the ball into the cage to give LC a two goal edge over the visitors.

The Captains tried to make it close when Abby Cryts scored an unassisted goal with 55:32 on the clock, but the Hornets played tough and held on to victory with a 3-2 margin. 

The Hornet defense was stifling once again, holding the Captains to just 12 shots, 16.5 below their average coming into the game. Beka Hess had six saves in goal, a majority in big moments of the game, helping the Hornets hand CNU (2-1) their first loss of the season.

Lynchburg improves to 3-0 and will continue its non-conference schedule on the road this Saturday at Alvernia University for an 11 a.m. start.

###