WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College field hockey team (1-5) fell 3-1 to the Cedar Crest Falcons (3-4).
Senior captain
Megan Brackney (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) led the Presidents with four shots on the day and an assist. Sophomore
Capriana Romano (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) had two shots on goal as well.
The Presidents got off to a strong start in the contest, outshooting the Falcons 3-1 in the opening frame. Romano had two attempts and freshman
Cara Ippisch (Oakwood, Ohio/Oakwood) had the third. All three attempts forced a save from the Cedar Crest goalkeeper. The Falcons found their offensive stride in the second quarter, taking a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Cedar Crest added a third goal coming out of the break, but W&J did not go away. Brackney and sophomore
Bella Updyke (Canonsburg, Pa./Peters Township) both had scoring chances on set pieces from penalty corners. The Presidents continued to fight in the fourth quarter, trying to get back into the game. Brackney recorded three shots off penalty corner chances. Additionally, Junior
Kaitlyn Wildermuth (Bayville, N.J./Central Regional) forced the Cedar Crest goaltender to make another important save to keep the lead at three.
W&J got themselves on the board late in the fourth as Nakanishi nets her third goal of the season from a penalty corner set piece. Brackney was credited with an assist, her first of the season. The Presidents kept fighting, but ultimately Cedar Crest took the 3-1 victory.
Junior
Grace Erhard (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) made 11 saves throughout the contest. Erhard's total includes a saved penalty stroke in the second quarter.
The Presidents return to action on Sunday (Oct. 4) when the team travels for a matchup against the Depauw Tigers. The opening whistle in Greencastle, Ind. is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
