The Batten University field hockey team (2-3) battled No. 21 Mary Washington evening, falling 2-0 to the nationally ranked Eagles.
Goalkeeper Berkley Miller turned in a strong performance in the cage for the Marlins, recording a season-high 13 saves while facing 21 shots. Miller and the Batten defense held Mary Washington to just two goals despite the Eagles generating 15 shots on goal and 15 penalty corners.
Mary Washington opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Miller stopped the initial attempt from Grayson Scott, but Addison Beamer collected the rebound and scored to give the Eagles a 1-0 advantage. The Marlins responded defensively and kept Mary Washington off the scoreboard throughout the entire second and third quarters.
Batten generated its best offensive opportunities in the third quarter. Kellyn McCloud put a shot on goal in the 32nd minute, but Mary Washington's Erin Sutton made a defensive save to keep the Marlins off the board. Later in the period, Batten earned a penalty corner before Katherine Druiett fired an attempt that was blocked.
The Marlins continued to keep the game within one goal deep into the fourth quarter behind Miller, who made two more saves early in the period. Mary Washington eventually added an insurance goal in the 55th minute when Scott redirected a pass from Hannah Jadgchew to make it 2-0.
