Despite suffering their first ODAC loss of the season Tuesday afternoon, the Royals proved they can play with anyone in the league.  The field hockey women held Randolph-Macon scoreless in Ashland until the 63rd minute before giving up one goal to suffer a 1-0 loss.

The Yellow Jackets, who had been picked No. 2 in the preseason poll, entered the game a perfect 4-0 and averaging 3.5 goals per game in conference play.  Led by goalie Mary Beth Danaher (Matoaca, Va./Matoaca), Eastern Mennonite turned away R-MC's offense.  The home team missed a penalty stroke in the 11th minute and was denied on 15 shots over the first 35 minutes.

In the second half, the Royals came out strong but had shots from Carol Brinkley (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale) and Camille Williams (Media, Pa./Delaware County Christian) saved.  Finally with just 7:16 left to play, the Yellow Jackets got their goal on a shot flipped over Danaher.

With less than four minutes left on the clock, the Royals nearly tied the score when Melissa Cox (Mountville, Pa./Hempfield) sent a shot to the upper corner of the cage.  A Yellow Jacket defender was there to knock it away, however, locking up the final decision.

EMU was out-shot 29-4, but Danaher swatted away 16 attempts to keep the women in the game.  The 16 saves was the second-highest total in the senior's career.  Mandy Stowers (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) added a defensive save.

The loss knocks the Royals to 2-10 overall and 2-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.  EMU is still in third place in the ODAC.  Their next game is on Homecoming this Saturday, when the women host Sweet Briar at noon.