ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – Field Hockey came up just short in an away game against St. Mary's College of Maryland, despite the Yellow Jackets leading in penalty corners and shots on goal.
Score: St. Mary's College of Maryland 2, Randolph-Macon 1
Venue: Jamie L. Roberts Stadium
Records: Randolph-Macon (3-3, 0-0 ODAC), St. Mary's College of Maryland (2-3, 0-0 United East)
How it Happened
- The Seahawks earned a penalty corner 61 seconds into the contest, which led to a shot that RMC was able to block. At the 4:14 mark, Breea Dresler, (Yorktown, Va./Tabb) inserted the Yellow Jackets' first penalty corner and Janne Roelink (Den Helder, Netherlands/Norfolk Collegiate) tallied a shot that was blocked. For the next seven minutes, SMCM totaled four shots on four separate penalty corner opportunities but were unable to put any on net. The road team grabbed some momentum heading into the second, as a penalty corner in the final second forced the Seahawks to block a shot from Kylee Gorham (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland).
- The teams brought the even contest into the second frame, which saw the Yellow Jackets have opportunities early. Five minutes in, RMC ripped five total shots in just over a minute, led by Gorham and Olivia Greene (Amissville, Va./Culpeper County), who each registered a shot on target and had one blocked. Neely Winefordner (Glen Allen, Va./Trinity Episcopal School) also had a shot on the run. The Seahawks found their footing and forced Valentina Ambrogi-Torres (Richmond, Va./Trinity Episcopal School) to make her first save of the game, stemming from a penalty corner. RMC snatched the momentum back, as a penalty corner allowed for shots from Brenna McLean (Rock Hall, Md./Queene Anne's County) and Ella Caldwell (Seaford, Va./York). Despite Dresler also forcing the Seahawks' keeper to make a stop, the contest remained 0-0 at the break.
- Four minutes into the third, Natalie Moul (Haymarket, Va./Battlefield) posted a shot on goal which followed her own shot that was blocked. While she could not convert, Caitlin Porter (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) was able to locate the ball and put it in the back of the cage to put her squad ahead, 1-0. The home team responded well, as SMCM ripped three shots, including one on-goal after it earned a penalty corner. Even though they did not score on the possession following the goal, the Seahawks converted with 5:39 remaining in the third, as Tori Hampton scored off an insertion from Morgan Knott. The two programs traded fouls, leading to a 1-1 game through three.
- Randolph-Macon came out hot in the fourth, racking up four shots on three penalty corners. The Seahawk defense blocked three of them, with the goalkeeper steering the last shot on-goal from Gorham away. After a SMCM foul, RMC continued to increase its momentum, as both Samantha Major (Newport News, Va./Menchville) and Nathalia McIntyre (Hampton, Va./Grafton) had shots that resulted in defensive saves. After the burst, Moul was awarded a penalty stroke, but was unable to convert. The home team responded by turning defense into offense, as another penalty corner set up a 2-1 lead with 6:30 remaining. While the Lemon and Black worked for three more penalty corner chances in the final minutes, shots from Winefordner and Moul were not enough to tie the game.
Inside the Numbers
- Randolph-Macon led 26-to-12 in shots, including nine-to-four in shots on goal.
- The Yellow Jackets led the way in penalty corners (12-to-nine).
- The team's 26 total shots marks a new season-high.
- Porter's goal was her second of the season and fourth in her career. With the score, she ties her season-high mark from 2023.
- Moul's four total shots was the second-most by any player in the contest and she also tied for a team-high two shots on goal. Her four shots is the second-highest she has recorded in a single game in her career.
- Gorham led the game with seven shots and joined Moul with two shots on goal. Her seven shots also represents a new season-high, as she posted eight twice in her freshman campaign.
- Winefordner and Roelink each ripped three shots.
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets have their second consecutive game on the road, as they will take on Meredith in Raleigh, N.C. The game will start at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 20.
