ODAC champs again: field hockey takes VWC 2-1

The success of the women’s field hockey team has been constant and almost predictable this season. Over the weekend the Lady Royals defeated Washington and Lee, and Virginia Wesleyan en route to an Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship.

On Friday, the team took on W&L in a semi-final match of the ODAC tournament. EMU won 5-0 against the third ranked team in the conference. Jonalyn Denlinger scored two goals for the Royals, with Kristin Moyer contributing a goal and two assists. Also registering goals were Stephanie Derstine and Tessa Grubb, and Ashley Byler added an assist. Goalkeeper Emily Chamelin had three saves, and registered her third shutout of the season.

The true test of the tournament came on Saturday in the finals match against number one ranked Virginia Wesleyan. After losing to Virginia Wesleyan two weeks ago, the Royals avenged their defeat by winning 2-1. Denlinger scored both of EMU’s goals to end the perfect season of Virginia Wesleyan. Chamelin allowed just one goal and contributed four saves to the EMU effort. The victory gave the Lady Royals their first ODAC Championship in three years.

The team, who has been ranked in the top ten teams of Division III throughout much of the season, advanced to the NCAA tournament. The Royals take on Messiah College at Salisbury on Friday, Nov. 14 in the first round of the tournament. Senior Kristin Moyer, who leads Div. III in both goals and overall points, and sophomore Denlinger, who continues to lead the team in assists, will lead the Lady Royals against the third seeded team in the South Atlantic region of the division.