The Lynx field hockey team earned their first comeback win of 2009, likely the best in the program's history, with a 5-4 victory over Division II Bellarmine. Rhodes went into half time with a 4-1 deficit, but scored 4 goals in a 15 minute period late in the second half to earn the victory. The Lynx saw 5 different players score tonight as well as a magnificent team effort on the defensive end that included several goal line defensive saves.

 

The game started slow with Bellarmine clearly controlling the pace, but the Lynx played strong defense and were able to hold the Knights off of the scoreboard for the first 14 minutes of play. The first Bellarmine goal came on a penalty corner, which was followed by 2 more in the next five minutes. Freshman Sarah Ferguson scored her first goal in a Lynx uniform to give the Lynx some hope with 4 minutes to play in the first half. The Knights countered quickly and earned two penalty corners back to back with no time left on the clock and connected for their fourth goal on the second try.

 

Half time adjustments went well for the Lynx, but the game still looked evenly matched as the teams battled on scoreless for the first 12 minutes of the second period. Hillary Relyea scored on a cross from Lindsey Gurkovich on a fast break play to gets things going for Rhodes. Just two minutes later, Sarah Kennedy found the back of the cage on a rebound shot on a penalty corner play. The Knights took a time out, but the momentum continued to roll on for the Lynx who scored again just two minutes later to tie the match at 4. The game tying goal was scored by Lindsey Gurkovich, who also assisted the game winner by Libby Jones, her second in two Lynx wins, with just 6 minutes to play. The Lynx held on tight and even secured several more penalty corners before time expired. 

 

The Lynx benefitted tremendously from stellar midfield and defensive play, especially in the second half. Center midfielder Charlie Wagner played a great game on both end s of the field and fueled the attack with the help of outside midfielders Libby Feaster and Sarah Kennedy, who both played fantastic games. Sara Sanders and Rachel Webb controlled the middle for the team defensively; Sanders added a sensational defensive save on the goal line. Lucy Bell, Marie Mason, and Kristen Lee made important adjustments at the half and all three had integral roles in the win, including 2 defensive saves for Lee. Goalkeeper Valerie Clarke stayed focused in cage to turn things around for the second half shutout, thwarting the Knights powerful attack on several occasions. 

 

Bellarmine dominated the first half with 11 shots and 8 penalty corners to Rhodes' 4 shots and 2 corners. The second half was a different story with the Lynx taking 15 shots to the Knights' 5 and securing 10 penalty corners to Bellarmine's 1. In the game Rhodes out shot Bellarmine 19-16 and held a 12-9 advantage on corners.  Valerie Clarke totaled 8 saves on the day. Rhodes returns to action tomorrow at Noon versus Kenyon at Bellarmine. 

View photos of the game:  http://picasaweb.google.com/JuanaWells/Bellarmine?feat=directlink