WASHINGTON, Pa. -- For the first time in program history, the No. 15 Washington & Jefferson field hockey program earned a victory in the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship as the Presidents blanked Rhodes by a 3-0 score at Cameron Stadium.

Today's victory improves the Presidents' overall record to 18-1, extending their program record for wins in a season. With the loss, the Lynx end 2018 with a 12-4 record. 

The turning point in today's game came 4:05 into the first half, as Rachel Buyan (Huntington Beach, Calif./Edison) gave W&J an early lead that it would not relinquish. Rachel Fromm (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) sent a centering pass across the goal line that Buyan tipped past the opposing goalie into the left corner of the cage.
 
Buyan extended the Presidents' lead to 2-0 with her 16th tally of the season at the 53:33 mark. With the ball loose in the circle, the senior defender took advantage by deflecting it into the cage. Gabby Karr (White Hall, Md./North Hartford) earned the assist on the play by guiding the ball towards Buyan.

With two goals today, Buyan took sole possession of second on W&J's all-time goals leaderboard with 49 in her illustrious career. 
 
Alana Boyd (Alexandria, Va./Thomas Edison) iced the victory with just over four minutes left on the clock. Following a Buyan shot that was saved, Boyd corralled the rebound and finished to the top of the cage. Buyan got the assist on the score, giving her five points on the afternoon, her second-highest single-game point total of the year. With the tally, Boyd is tied for 10th in program history with 23 career goals. 
 
A three-goal lead was more than enough for the Presidents' defense, as W&J held the Rhodes to just four shots in the game, two of which were on goal. By blanking the Lynx, the Presidents extended their shutout streak to four consecutive contests, with today marking the team's 15th shutout of 2018. 

Rena Israel (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) started in cage for the Red & Black and made two saves in 70 minutes to preserve the clean sheet. The sophomore improved her nation-leading save percentage to .913 with her 14th shutout in 17 games. 

The Presidents will continue their postseason journey on Saturday, Nov. 10, with an NCAA Second Round matchup against No. 6 Salisbury at 11 a.m. in Salisbury, Md.

Highlights

FH: Rachel Buyan gives No. 15 W&J an early 1-0 lead over Rhodes in NCAA Field Hockey Championship First Round action with this goal just 4:05 into play. Rachel Fromm added her fourth assist of the season on the play. #prezpride #d3fh pic.twitter.com/89VJhXGGsQ

— Washington & Jefferson Athletics (@wjathletics) November 7, 2018

FH: Rachel Buyan again! (We think?!) After a pass from Gabby Karr hits off the goalie, Buyan knocks the ball home to give the No. 15 Presidents a 2-0 lead over Rhodes midway through the second half in Division III Field Hockey Championship First Round action! #prezpride #d3fh pic.twitter.com/J2zDq4TeGu

— Washington & Jefferson Athletics (@wjathletics) November 7, 2018

FH: Alana Boyd stretches the lead out to 3-0 late in the game with an assist to Rachel Buyan. The No. 15 Presidents of W&J advance to the NCAA Second Round with a 3-0 win over Rhodes and will take on No. 6 Salisbury on Saturday in Maryland. #prezpride #d3fh pic.twitter.com/qRmD6Kkdhw

— Washington & Jefferson Athletics (@wjathletics) November 7, 2018