LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Goalkeeper
Joaquina Orlandini (Concordi, Entre Rios, Argentina/San Antonio School) made four saves, defender
Karina Long (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) preserved the shutout late with a defensive save and
Kayla Brathwaite (Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago/Bishop Anstey East) scored an incredible goal as the Bald Eagle trio powered the Lock Haven University field hockey team (6-6, 4-1 A-10) to a, 1-0, victory over visiting Virginia Commonwealth (5-6, 3-2 A-10) today in Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) action.
With the win, the Bald Eagles moved back to .500 at 6-6, but more importantly, Lock Haven improved to 4-1 in A-10 action.
Today marked LHU's second straight 1-0 shutout-win with both victories coming in conference play. For LHU, it was the fourth shutout of the season, as the defense continues to hold strong.
The victory pushed the Bald Eagles into sole possession of second place in the A-10 standings with three conferences games yet to play this season.
Brathwaite broke open the game in the second quarter after she scored on a dazzling individual effort. She collected the ball 25 yards from goal and used her speed to breeze through the VCU defense and into the crease where she fired a backhanded-shot past Ram goalkeeper Sasha Elliott.
Orlandini was spectacular and two of her saves were absolute "game-changers." She made one brilliant kick save with her right foot from close range and she turned away a strong VCU shot with the blocker late in the game.
Long preserved the lead and helped seal the win with a late-game defensive save. After the Rams fired off a good attempt at the far post, Long was on hand with less than eight minutes to play in the contest and she cleared the ball off the goal line.
Jazmin Palma (Entre Rios Province, Argentina./Colegio Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) registered three shots and
Amy Stevens (Castle Creek, N.Y./Whitney Point) added two, as the rookie-duo continues to make an impact.
Tia Judy (East Prospect, Pa./Homeschooled) was among a cast of players who certainly stood out, but all in all, it was another total team effort that fueled the victory and carried the Bald Eagles on their "winning-way."
LHU will host non-conference rival Lehigh on Sunday, October 13 at 1 p.m.
Gallery: (10/11/2019) FH vs VCU
