UMW Field Hockey Outguns Lynchburg in Season Opener, 3-1

Before her first game as the University of Mary Washington's head field hockey coach, Lindsey Elliott prepared for a lot of scenarios. Not one of them involved the referees arriving over an hour late and delaying the original 4 p.m. start time until 5:15 p.m.

UMW overcame both the late start and a one-goal first half deficit to defeat 13th ranked and defending ODAC champion Lynchburg College 3-1 Thursday.

After Lindsey Leonard gave Lynchburg the early lead, UMW picked up the intensity. Coach Elliot attributed the pickup in play to her team's comfort level.

"I think we just settled down and started playing with composure," remarked Elliot. "We had that long break waiting for the officials to get here and it kind of got us out of our focus element. We played more as a team and as a unit."

Just five minutes after Lynchburg's tally, junior Lisa Charney responded for the Eagles, scoring off a corner with 7:35 remaining in the first half.

With the score tied 1-1 at halftime, Freshman Courtney Rampey took over, scoring two second half goals. The Eagles, who led in shots 18-8, generated scoring chance after scoring chance. Rampey cashed in, first off an assist from senior Morgan Jones and then off a feed from senior Kaitlyn Ripley.

Asked about the performance of her freshman forward, Elliot said, "I'm very excited about Courtney. She's a quiet little girl, but she can stick her stick in there and score. I think she has a lot to look forward to with her freshman year. I'm excited to see how this all turns out."

Mary Washington (1-0, 0-0 CAC) will try to make it two in a row when they host fifth-ranked Lebanon Valley College on Saturday, September 3rd, at 2:00 p.m.