Field Hockey Ends Skid With Win Over UC Davis, 4-2

Thursday, October 1

Davidson, N.C.

6:00 p.m.

Davidson College Athletics

UC Davis

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

Field Hockey Ends Skid With Win Over UC Davis, 4-2

10/1/2009 9:36:36 PM | Field Hockey

By: Mark Brumbaugh

Box Score

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Four different goal scorers powered the Davidson field hockey team to a 4-2 win over UC Davis on Thursday night at Belk Turf Field. The Wildcats improved to 3-8, while UC Davis fell to 3-7.

The win ended a seven-game losing streak in which Davidson struggled against three-ranked opponents and lost two NorPac conference matches by one-goal each. The Davidson offense fired a season high 20 shots, with a season-high 12 on goal.

“Our offensive attack was great tonight,” said head coach Ginny Sutton. “They moved the ball around very well and it's very good to have four different goal scorers coming through.”

The 'Cats scored two goals in the first half and two more in the second before UC Davis rallied with two scores late.

Jennie Mostellar struck first, 21:17 into the game. The New Bern, N.C. native ripped a hard shot from just inside the circle to beat UC Davis goalkeeper Lauren Sawvelle.

The 'Cats next tally came almost eight minutes later as sophomore forward Christine Rua found room for her second goal of the season. Rua leads the team so far this season with five points.

Mid-way through the second half, junior Courtney Tobe scored her second goal in as many games. Tobe scored on a rebound off a shot taken by Mostellar. Freshman Brit Donaldson then scored her first career goal less than two minutes later, scoring on a feed from sophomore Meg Jarrell.

UC Davis responded with a pair of goals. Ashley Haight poked in UC Davis' first goal in a scramble in front of Davidson goalkeeper Sarah Fisher. Fisher started the second half after senior Christa Goeke started and recorded two saves in the first half. The freshman keeper allowed just the one goal and made two saves in 21 minutes, 22 seconds of action.

Senior goalkeeper Mary Clay played the last 13:38 in net for Davidson. Clay made one save and allowed one goal. Nadia Namdari deflected a shot from Haight with 6:04 remaining.

“Tonight's win was a great team effort,” said Sutton. “I think it will be a big confidence boost for us as we approach conference play at the end of the month.”

The Davidson field hockey team will return to action on Saturday at 12 p.m., hosting regional foe Catawba at Belk Turf Field.