SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University Field Hockey team obliterated Lincoln Memorial 5-0 on Friday night in front of a large crowd at Weisiger Stadium.
"Tonight, was a total team effort," Converse University head field hockey coach
Valerie Clarke said. "We used our depth to our advantage, playing all available players on the roster to gain experience and keep our energy high. This team came out fired up and set the tone from the beginning. We were definitely firing on all cylinders tonight, I am so proud!"
Converse improves to 1-0 overall and 1-0 in South Atlantic Conference action with their win tonight over Lincoln Memorial. The Railsplitters, meanwhile, leave the Palmetto State with an 0-2 record with losses to both Converse and Lander. Converse improves to a perfect 5-0 against Lincoln Memorial in the all-time series and they have now outscored the Railsplitters 34-1 over that time span.
It didn't take long for the Valkyries offense to strike, two-time All-American
Catalina Pistaccio found
Samantha Daly for the first goal of the game just four minutes into the first quarter. Converse continued to stay aggressive in the opening quarter as they attempted four shots and a trio of corners against Lincoln Memorial.
The Valkyries continued to press in the second quarter,
Ava Andrews connected with
Kilee Bradeen for her first goal of the season and the Valkyries second goal of the night. Minutes later, Bradeen found Pistaccio and the Valkyries held a commanding 3-0 advantage against Lincoln Memorial. Converse finished the second quarter with six total shots and one penalty corner attempt.
In the third stanza of the night, Lincoln Memorial began to test the Valkyries defense for the first time. The Railsplitters outshot the Valkyries 4-2 in the third period and they attempted a game high three penalty corners in the period.
Converse took over once again in the final stanza of the night.
Mariella Vallejo found Pistaccio for her second goal of the night and the Valkyries led 4-0. Less than four minutes later, Pistaccio found
Caroline Blair for the final goal of the match for Converse. The Valkyries outshot the Railsplitters 4-1 in the final quarter of the match.
Pistaccio finished the night with six points, leading the team in both assists and goals against Lincoln Memorial. Pistaccio is now just six points away from becoming the first Valkyrie to reach the 100 career point club.
Kilee Bradeen finished second on the team with a trio of points, followed by
Caroline Blair and
Samantha Daly.
Game Leaders:
Goals Scored –
Catalina Pistaccio (2),
Samantha Daly (1),
Kilee Bradeen (1),
Caroline Blair (1)
Assists –
Catalina Pistaccio (2),
Ava Andrews (1),
Kilee Bradeen (1),
Mariella Vallejo (1)
Saves –
Johanna Balks (1)
Next Up:
The Valkyries will be back home on Tuesday night when they battle Belmont Abbey at 6:00 p.m.
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