Balanced Attack, Strong Defense Gives Davidson Field Hockey 3-0 Win Over Robert Morris

Saturday, September 24

Davidson, N.C.

12:00 p.m.

Davidson College

Robert Morris

Annie Evans

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

Balanced Attack, Strong Defense Gives Davidson Field Hockey 3-0 Win Over Robert Morris

9/24/2011 3:03:00 PM | Field Hockey

By: Mark Brumbaugh

Box Score
Buy 2011 Field Hockey Photos at DavidsonPhotos.com

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Three different goal scorers and a defensive effort that yielded just five shots led the Davidson field hockey team to a 3-0 victory over Robert Morris Saturday afternoon at Belk Turf Field.

Junior Annie Evans notched the game-winner for Davidson (4-3) off a deflection in the first half, while senior Meg Jarrell and junior Finley Amato added insurance goals in the second half. The Wildcats controlled possession for most of the game and were solid defensively, allowing Robert Morris (5-5) to challenge sophomore Carolyn Macek with just five shots in her first career start.

“It's a good win for us as it gives us momentum going into tomorrow's game at North Carolina,” said Davidson head coach Ginny Turner. “I thought we did better on the defensive side than we did last week, and I think it is great that Carolyn was able to get her first career shutout in her first career start.”

The Colonials, who entered the game on a three-game winning streak, nearly notched the game's first goal when a shot by Jamie Hartley slipped past Macek, but Evans and senior defender Hannah Lawrence were there to keep the ball out of the cage. The 'Cats held the upper hand offensively for the remainder of the game and broke through in the 30th minute off a penalty corner.

Senior Hannah English received a pass from the left across the top of the circle, and she ripped it on net, where Evans was able to redirect it between goalkeeper Erin McKenzie's pads for the goal.

The 'Cats finished the first half with a 12-3 advantage in shots and continued to control the game in the second half.

Amato stole the ball from a Colonial defender in the 42nd minute and fed a pass to Jarrell for Davidson's second goal. Jarrell needed little effort to get space and beat the goalkeeper one-on-one for the goal.

Amato then iced the win in the 68th minute, as she weaved through the Colonial defense down the center of the field, and ripped a shot that beat Paige Neat, who entered the game at the start of the second half, to the right.

Macek finished with two saves for Davidson to earn her first career shutout in her first start. For Robert Morris, McKenzie made five saves and allowed one goal in the first half, while Neat made four saves and allowed two goals in the second half. Davidson finished with a 20-5 advantage in shots and an 8-6 advantage in penalty corners.

The Wildcats will face their toughest test of the regular season Sunday at 1 p.m. in Chapel Hill, N.C. when they take on No. 2 North Carolina. The 'Cats then return to Belk Turf Field Saturday, Oct. 1 to take on Longwood in their first NorPac match of the season.

Notes: The Wildcats used their bench, getting 10 substitutes into the game … Amato has now scored in three of the last four games … the win marks the first time this season that the 'Cats have won two consecutive games … two of Davidson's three losses this season were to nationally-ranked teams.