Tigers Improve to 5-2 in NCAC Play with 3-1 Win Over Earlham

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—Tiger field hockey was the only team in action in Springfield on a fall-like Saturday morning, as the program held down the fort for the rest of the teams on the road, downing Earlham 3-1. The Tigers scored early and late to earn the NCAC victory, as the home team got on the board twice in the first half, and again in the second half. Earlham's lone goal game just past the 65-minute mark in the second half to come within one, but two minutes later the Tigers scored to regain their two-goal lead. The NCAC victory puts the Tigers at 5-2 in the conference and 7-3 overall in 2016, while the Quakers of Earlham fall to 5-6 and 2-4 on the year.

GAME BREAKDOWN

• Early on, Blaine Donnelly found herself in the right place at the right time, sending a shot into the back of the cage to take an early 1-0 lead at the 11:10 mark.  
• Late in the second half, Zara Tickner sent a beautiful feed through the middle of the Quaker defense to Audrey Coler, who sent her shot just past Earlham's goalie to go up 2-0.
• Late in the second half, Paige Scharfenberger and Puck van Liebergen hooked up on a pass and shoot to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead late in the match.

KEY STATS

• Donnelly led the Tigers with four shots on goal, as the sophomore managed to get open in front of the Quaker net time and time again on Saturday.
• Sarah Brownell earned the win in net, as the Tiger goalkeeper improves to 7-3 on the season.
• Michelle Murray continued to cause problems for opposing offenses, as the senior picked up a big defensive save in the second half of Saturday's action.

UP NEXT

• The Tigers return to action on October 2, a the team travels to Centre College to take on the Colonels in a 1PM match.