Senior Caitlin Baker and sophomores Haley Kane and Jenna Steele all scored goals to propel the sixth-ranked University of Mary Washington field hockey team to a 3-1 win over 11th ranked DePauw University on Saturday in Newport News, Va., in a battle of two 2012 NCAA Division III Final Four teams. The Eagles improve to 4-0 on the year.
Baker provided UMW with the lead with 19 minutes remaining in the first half, scoring on a Courtney Rampey assist, and the score stood at 1-0 at halftime. In the second half, Kane scored the eventual game winner with 26 minutes remaining to up the lead to 2-0.
After DePauw cut the deficit in half with 19 minutes remaining, Steele provided an insurance goal with just 31 seconds left and the Eagles their seventh win over a nationally-ranked opponent in the past three seasons.
""We struggled a little today but we were able to hold on", said UMW head coach Lindsey Elliott. "It was a physically fought game. We saw areas that we need to improve upon and I know we will get better from here."
The Eagles led in shots, 13-11, and had nine penalty corners to seven for DePauw. Junior goalie Emily Badis had five saves in goal for UMW.
Mary Washington will host Randolph-Macon College on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.