The Basics
Score: Roanoke 1 | Randolph-Macon 0

Records: Maroons 1-0 / 1-0 ODAC | Yellow Jackets 0-1 / 0-1 ODAC
Location: Salem, Va.

The Lead: Sunday marked the opening of the 2020-21 field hockey season as Roanoke played host to Randolph-Macon. The Maroons bested the Yellow Jackets in the 2019 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Tournament and were looking for a repeat performance on Sunday. A first quarter score would give RC a 1-0 lead and the defense made it hold up as they allowed just 5 RMC shots after the first period of play.

Highlights:

• Just after the midway point of the first quarter, Emilee Wooten sent a shot passed the goalie that was saved by a defender but the rebound would pop out in front of the goal. Katherine Martin dove into the pile to knock the ball into the cage for the first, and only goal of the afternoon.
• Two minutes later Roanoke had another good scoring opportunity. Off of a penalty corner, Lauren Heffron sent a shot to goal but a good save by Gatlin Snyder kept the Maroons from adding to their lead.
• Roanoke would out-shoot the Yellow Jackets, 4-1, in the second but the score remained 1-0 heading into the half.
• Neither team could get much offense generated in the third with each goalie recording one save.
• RC would once again have a good chance to add to their lead in the fourth quarter when after a Hope Keller shot was blocked, the rebound found its way to Heffron but once again Snyder made a quality stop.
• The Roanoke defense was just too much for Randolph-Macon as the Maroons held on for the 1-0, ODAC victory.
• In goal Hannah Roerden was perfect, saving all four shots that made it on goal.

Up next: Roanoke will look to get the season off to a 2-0 start when they play host to Sweet Briar on Friday at 4:00pm.