SWEET BRIAR, Va. – Playing a man down all game, the Hilbert College women's lacrosse team gave Sweet Briar a battle today.  The Hawks put more points on the score board and put players in different field positions which is a positive sign for the young program. 
 
Sweet Briar improved to 2-0 and dropped the Hawks to 0-2 as they travel for their southern swing during spring break.
 
Hilbert unleased seven more shots than the hosts (27-20) but surrendered 12 goals.
 
Allison Austin was credited with five saves while Sweet Briar's goalie corralled 17 saves.
 
Brooklyn Gormel, Olivia Tom and Marisa Huffman carried the Hawks offensive as they combined for 21 of the team's 27 shots and all six goals. 
 
Sweet Briar jumped out to a 3-0 lead midway through the first half before Gormel scored her first unassisted goal at 13:12.  The hosts found the back of the net three more times in the next ten minutes to take a 6-1 advantage.  But Huffman got the Hawks on the board again with just thirteen seconds on the clock before half time.
 
Hilbert produced a better second 30-minutes of action.  They crept closer to Sweet Briar losing the scoring battle by just two, 6-4.  Tom scored her first with 19:24 on the clock and Gormel scored her second at 13:03 for a 8-4 score.   Tom found her second hit five minutes later, but during that time span, the hosts scored three times.    Huffman closed the Hawks hits with just under three minutes left in the game.
 
The women's lacrosse team will return to action March 17 when they host their home-opener against Alfred University.  The game will be played at D'Youville College's Dopson Turf Complex beginning at 4pm.