MEMPHIS - The Rhodes College field hockey team ran into stiff competition on Saturday afternoon as they took on the eighth-ranked Catholic Cardinals at Mason Field. A pair of goals, one coming in each half, as well as a strong defensive effort was enough for the Cardinals to escape Memphis with a 2-0 win.

It was a first half dominated by the Cardinals as they out shot the Lynx, 9-1, and held the advantage in corners at 5-1. However, the Rhodes defense held strong and the game remained scoreless with under 10 to play.

However, Catholic got a much needed goal at the 29:29 mark as Tarah Portland put the Cardinals ahead 1-0 going into the break.

Around 15 minutes into the second half, Catholic made it 2-0 on a goal from Rachel Day. Rhodes came out aggressive as they looked to get back into the match and outshooting the Cardinals 8-3 and coming up with eight corners for the remainder of the game. At the end of the day, the Cardinals proved to be too much as they earned the shutout.

Sophomore goalkeeper Laura Eckelkamp had eight saves on the afternoon, playing all 70 minutes in goal. Offensively, senior Mary Rose Hazel and sophomore Maddie Smith each had two shots on target while senior Jordan Kugler, junior Christina DiFelice, and junior Grace Whelan all had shots on target as well.

The Lynx fall to 1-1 on the season, but return to the field tomorrow morning as they host The College of Wooster at 10:30 a.m. The Scots defeated SAA-rival Hendrix College later in the day on Saturday by the score of 3-2.