WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson field hockey team commenced their 2024 campaign with an overtime bout against Wilson College.
 
The Wilson Phoenix got out to an early lead in the first quarter of play after logging a goal 8:51 into the first half. The Presidents did manage a late shot attempt on goal by junior forward Sarah Schriver (Greenville, S.C./Christ Church Episcopal School), but to no avail.
 
Both units were met with some weather troubles with 8:13 remaining on the clock which resulted in an hour-long stoppage of play before resuming on the turf. The delay might've been just what the Presidents needed as they quickly scored their first goal of the season minutes before the close of the half. Lily Giering (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township) netted a high-velocity ranged goal within the circle to knot the score at one before entering the half.
 
In the second half, the Phoenix logged a multitude of corners and shots on goal yet found no success as freshman goalkeeper Grace Erhard (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) knocked down multiple would-be goals. Despite the differential in offensive opportunities, the Presidents managed to remain afloat and take the bout into overtime.
 
During the overtime period, each unit registered opportunities to put an early end to the matchup. Following a corner attempt by Ella Phillips (Arnold, Md./Broadneck), Wilson found a hole in the Presidents backline to effectively seal the bout with a game-winning goal.
 
Erhard took the loss after tallying all 67 minutes in goal with four saves in her first-career collegiate showing.
 
The Presidents will manage a rapid turnaround as they travel to Maryland this coming Sunday (Sept. 1) to take on McDaniel. The matchup has a scheduled start time of 11:30 a.m.