BRYN MAWR, Pa. - The turf of Applebee Field finally saw some action on Wednesday afternoon, as the Owls of Bryn Mawr field hockey returned to intercollegiate competition at the venue for the first time since the fall of 2019. Bryn Mawr faced off against Lebanon Valley College in today's contest, and it was an affair that the Owls ultimately controlled from start to finish en route to a 3-0 win. Bryn Mawr scored a goal in each of the first three quarters and dominated possession most of the way while snuffing out the few offensive opportunities the Dutchmen had before they even got dangerous. Hazel Miller, Sarah Chapman, and Novy Goetgeluk all scored their first collegiate goals in today's win, while Ryann McManus and Sara Rilatt each added assists for Bryn Mawr.

Bryn Mawr's dominance started early on, as the Owls earned a penalty corner just 1:37 into play. In fact, the Owls would draw four penalty corners in the first ten minutes of the game, but come up empty on each one. The final of those corners provided the hosts with the best chance, as it led to a shot by Kate Ervin that was illegally blocked right in front of the net mouth, resulting in a penalty stroke for Bryn Mawr. Sara Rilatt stepped up to take that opportunity, but her shot went just wide of the right post, giving Lebanon Valley a reprieve. That break would not last long though; just over two minutes later, it was Hazel Miller who got Bryn Mawr on the scoreboard. The first year took advantage of a big rebound off of a shot from Ervin, and with Dutchmen goalkeeper Corinne Kearney down after making a save on Ervin's shot, Miller was able to fire into the open cage from point blank range. That goal put Bryn Mawr up 1-0, and it also seemed to wake the Dutchmen up; the visitors put together a furious push over the next couple of minutes, ultimately earning a pair of penalty corners and tallying a shot that forced Owls goalkeeper Maggie Titus into a save. However, Bryn Mawr weathered the storm and was able to comfortably ease into the break after the first quarter ended.

The Owls continued to control things in the second quarter, but there was much more midfield action in the frame as both sides probed and pressed to make headway in the offensive end. It wasn't until late in the frame that Bryn Mawr was able to break in and maintain an extended attack, but when they did so, it sure paid off. With just under three minutes left in the quarter, Courtney Cutone got off a shot that was saved by Kearney. That eventually led to a couple of penalty corners for the Owls, and it was on the second of those chances that Bryn Mawr would find their second goal of the game. The Owls sent the ball up to the top of the circle, and then Ryann McManus took possession and drove to her right just inside the arc. With defenders charging her, she sent a pass down to Sarah Chapman, who was stationed just off the right post. Chapman fell down amongst a mass of defenders and Owls surging towards the ball, but even amidst that chaos, the sophomore was able to control and fire a shot through the defense and into the back of the cage, doubling Bryn Mawr's lead just before halftime.

Bryn Mawr would net their second insurance goal midway through the third quarter, and it was another penalty corner that provided the opening for the Owls. Cutone sent another ball up top, where Rilatt did a tremendous job as the stick-stopper, controlling the insertion and setting it up perfectly for Novy Goetgeluk. The first-year Netherlands native knew exactly what to do with the opportunity, collecting the ball and driving to her right just inside the arc. After several steps, she fired a hard low shot back across her body, sending the ball just to the left of Dutchmen goalkeeper Kearney and just inside of the left post, giving Bryn Mawr a 3-0 lead. From there, the Owls merely needed to weather a couple of LVC chances late in the game, with reserve goalkeeper Anna Hartzell making two strong stops to preserve the shutout and hand the Owls the 3-0 win.

With the victory, Bryn Mawr moves to 2-0 on the season. The Owls will now prep for another difficult non-conference showdown, as they will travel to York on Saturday for a 1:00 PM start.