It was a wild first half, but the EMU field hockey women used two goals to grab the lead and their first win of 2014, 2-1 at Bethany College. The Royals return home on Wednesday to take on nationally-ranked Christopher Newport at 4:30 p.m.
Eastern Mennonite controlled the first 10 minutes against the Bison, but couldn’t score despite four shots. The Bison struck first, getting a rebounded stickback in the 13th minute to go up 1-0.
Junior Melissa Cox (Mountville, Pa./Hempfield) then helped turn things around. In the 19th minute Cox set up Camille Williams (Media, Pa./Delaware County Christian) after a corner as the goal equalized the score. Then just four minutes before halftime, Cox picked up her second assist helping Jenessa Derstine (Harleysville, Pa./Christopher Dock) scored the go-ahead goal, making it 2-1.
The Royals stepped up their defense in the second 35 minutes, allowing Bethany to take just four shots in the frame. Hannah Daley (Lothian, Md./Southern) made one save on Bethany’s only shot on goal in the half, and it was enough to secure EMU’s first win.
The women had a 16-11 advantage in shots, including 12-7 on goal. They also had a 7-3 edge in corners. Daley finished with six saves. Derstine took five shots with four on goal, while Williams and Emily Augsburger (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) each put three on target.