The 12th ranked University of Mary Washington field hockey team opened the season with a 3-0 victory over Dickinson College on Friday at the Battleground. UMW broke open a tight game at intermission with two second half scores.

After a back and forth effort that produced few scoring chances in the opening half, the Eagles were able to crack the scoring column with 4:28 remaining in the first, as freshman Lexie Dixson scored on a pass from sophomore Gillian Ross. The score stood at 1-0 at halftime.

The second half mirrored the first with both teams playing strongly in the midfield, with neither team getting many quality chances, until junior Morgan LaRowe scored on a Christine Loehr assist with 16:32 remaining. The Eagles added another score with 8:32 to go, as freshman Victoria Novak scored on a redirect of a strong pass from junior Allegra Massey-Elim.

The Eagles led in shots, 16-5, and in penalty corners, 9-5. UMW goalie Jessica Cavolt made a pair of stops in goal for UMW in gaining the shutout, while Freddie Bancroft had seven saves for Dickinson.

Mary Washington will return to action on Saturday when they host 18th ranked University of Rochester at 3:00 pm, after Dickinson plays St. Mary's College at noon.