Junior Lauren Hopkins scored a career-high four goals, just one shy of the school record, to lead the University of Mary Washington field hockey team to a 5-3 victory over the University of Lynchburg on Wednesday afternoon at the Battleground. The Eagles improve to 3-2, while the Hornets slip to 4-1.
Hopkins opened the scoring at 12:16, taking a rebound off the goalie's pads and firing into the cage. Just 1:11 later, Hopkins took a cross from the right from junior Lexie Dixson, and the one-timer crashed in to give the Eagles a 2-0 advantage.
Lynchburg cut the deficit in half at 29:11, on a goal from Kayla Copeman, and the Hornets took a bit of momentum to halftime, in which the Eagles led, 2-1.
Hopkins scored her third of the contest 4:11 into the second half on an assist from Morgan MacCartney, switching the momentum right back in the Eagles' favor. 5:23 later, Hopkins drew a penalty stroke, and senior Gillian Ross connected to up the lead to 4-1.
At 61:19, Lynchburg drew to within 4-2 on a score from Isabella Eldridge, but UMW bounced right back at 62:27 from Hopkins, this time on a pass from sophomore Izzy Scholz. Lynchburg's Nikki Simpao scored with five minutes remaining, but the Eagles ended the day with an impressive two-score win.
Lynchburg led in shots, 30-12, and penalty corners, 6-4. UMW goalkeeper Jessica Cavolt made 14 saves and sophomore Ivy Hollander added five, while Lynchburg's Laurel Nicks and Hunter Wilson each made three saves.
The Eagles' contest Sunday against the University of Rochester has been cancelled. The Eagles will return to action on September 19 when they host Washington & Lee University at 4 p.m.