The Centre College field hockey team continued its winning ways as they swept both games Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 in Virginia. Centre defeated Bridgewater College 2-1 and Washington and Lee University 3-1 in non-conference play. The Colonels began their trip with a match against Bridgewater College, a late addition to fill the void in the schedule left by Randolph College's decision to drop their varisty field hockey program.

The Colonels outshot the Bridgewater 6-1 in the first half, but could not muster a goal despite their many opportunities in open play, on six (6) penalty corners, and a penalty stroke. Bridgewater took advantage of the Colonels futility in the 51:00 minute with a goal, the first allowed by Centre this season. The ladies quickly regrouped after a time-out and resumed their attacking play. The equalizer was scored by senior Mollie Ronald (Louisvilly, Ky.) in the 65:00 minute. The goal was her third of the season. Less than three minutes later, Centre earned another penalty stroke and freshman Sarah Humphries (Baltimore, Md.) buried the ball in the back of the goal for the game winner. In the final minute, senior goal keeper Whitney Weigel (Louisville, Ky.) and the Centre defense turned away four consecutive penalty corners to secure the win. The win was Weigel's first of the year in net.

Sunday, Sept. 9, Centre traveled to Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va. for a return match from the Generals visit to Danville in 2006. W&L outshot the Colonels on the day and were awarded a decisive advantage in penalty corners, yet the Colonels offensive efficiency and determined defense resulted in a 3-1 victory on the day. Freshman Cynthia Morse (Louisville, Ky.) scored her first goal of the season off an assist from last week's SCAC Offensive Player of the Week Teresa Johnstone (Louisville, Ky.) to open the scoring in the 23:00 minute. Four minutes later, sophomore Mary Kate Clodius (St. Louis, Mo.) buried her first goal of the year in the back of the General net off an assist from senior midfielder Taylor Gray (Louisville, Ky.). At half-time, Centre led W&L 2-0.

The Generals battled back with a goal early in the second half, but Centre answered back twelve minutes later with a goal from Johnstone to secure the victory. Senior back Ashley Distler (Louisville, Ky.) assisted on the play.

Centre is now 4-0 and ranked #15 in the country according to the statistical poll available at http://www.fieldhockeycorner.com/. Despite the two wins, coach Tom Hobbs believes that the Colonels are still a long way from playing their best hockey. "Our passing game was sub-par this weekend, and we really made it difficult on ourselves to win these games. Solid team defense and great goal keeping by Whitney [Weigel] and Ann [Guagliardo] kept us in both games. We must improve as the season progresses in order for us to continue being successful."

Centre opens conference play on Saturday, Sept. 15 with a match against DePauw University in Danville, Ky at 11:00am. Sunday, Sept. 16, the Colonels play Lindenwood University at 1:00pm.