GLASSBORO, N.J. --The University of Lynchburg field hockey team is moving on to the NCAA Second Round after a 3-2 victory over Rowan, setting up a matchup with top-ranked Christopher Newport.
First Team All-ODAC selection Khanyisile Mzizi powered the Lynchburg attack, recording two goals and one assist to account for all three Hornet scores.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Hornets' (17-4) offense broke through early in the second. A hard strike from Mzizi deflected off the stick of Allie Freeman and into the back of the cage, giving Lynchburg a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the period.
Mzizi struck again eight minutes later. The Zimbabwe native maneuvered inside the semicircle off a penalty corner feed, faking left, cutting right, and lifting a shot into the cage for her third goal of the season to extend the advantage.
Lynchburg capitalized once more on its final penalty corner of the half. Mzizi took the insert from Freeman, dribbled inside, and after faking a pass to a teammate, found space to fire home her second goal of the day—her first multi-goal outing of the season—to give the Hornets a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime.
Rowan responded in the second half, launching nine shots—five on target—over the final 30 minutes. Shay Schoones stood tall in goal, making three key saves in the third quarter to preserve the lead. Though Rowan's Sydney Kowalczyk managed to find the back of the cage twice, Schoones finished with nine saves, tying her season high.
With the win, Lynchburg advances to the NCAA Second Round for the third straight season. The Hornets will travel to Newport News, Va., on Saturday, Nov. 15, to face No. 1 Christopher Newport (17-0).
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