Despite dominating the first 35 minutes, EMU's field hockey women trailed 1-0 late in the half.  But Camille Williams (Media, Pa./Delaware County Christian) tied things up just 2:11 before the break, opening things up for a key 3-1 ODAC win over Virginia Wesleyan Saturday in Harrisonburg.

The women had a 16-1 advantage in shots through most of the first half, but trailed 1-0 on the Marlins' counterattack score in the seventh minute.  That's when Williams scored on her own rebound, tying the game in the 33rd minute.

Less than three minutes into the second, Williams struck again.  This time the senior flicked a shot while lying on the ground to make it 2-0.  The Marlins then had a few scoring chances, but couldn't break EMU's backline.  In the 62nd minute, Williams essentially put the game away by scoring again, getting an assist from fellow senior Bethany Hench (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle).

For Williams, her first career hat trick came on Parent & Senior Recognition Day and adds a highlight to her best collegiate season.  She is now tied for the ODAC lead with 11 goals, after scoring just three in her previous three seasons at EMU.

The Royals finished with a 26-6 control on shots against Virginia Wesleyan, including 11-4 on goal.  Williams had a game high nine attempts while Emily Augsburger (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) fired seven.  Hannah Daley (Lothian, Md./Southern) made three saves.

Eastern Mennonite honored their five seniors before the game: Williams, Hench, Jenessa Derstine (Harleysville, Pa./Christopher Dock), Mandy Stowers (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) and Sara Puckett (Richmond, Va./Matoaca).

The win keeps the Royals in the thick of the ODAC standings at 2-2.  They are tied with Randolph-Macon for fourth place.  EMU heads to Washington and Lee on Tuesday, playing a 7:00pm game in Lexington.

Hall of Honor - Kristin Moyer Vasey
As part of the pre-game ceremonies, new Hall of Honor inductee Kristin Moyer Vasey led the field hockey team onto the field for the starting lineups.  As a three-time First Team All-American, she was inducted into the Hall of Honor at a ceremony Saturday morning as part of EMU's Homecoming.  Click here to see more information on Vasey.

Coach Brenda Bechler talks after the game about the important ODAC win as well as the talent of Vasey, the  recent Hall of Honor inductee: