Needing a win to build up some steam for their final ODAC game, the Eastern Mennonite field hockey team got what they needed.  The Royals scored just over three minutes into play on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, rolling over non-conference opponent Ferrum in Harrisonburg.

EMU wraps up the regular season Wednesday at Shenandoah.  They need to win the game and hope Roanoke losses at first place Lynchburg in order to earn a bid to the ODAC Tournament.  The six-team bracket opens next Saturday.

The Royals controlled play against Ferrum, a program in their first year of existence.  Jenessa Derstine (Harleysville, Pa./Christopher Dock) started the scoring by hitting the cage on a corner just 3:07 in, getting an assist from Lorraine Armstrong (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim).  The duo hooked up again on a corner just 1:23 before the break.  The women weren't done for the half, however, sneaking in one more score as Derstine found Melissa Cox (Mountville, Pa./Hempfield) on a fast break with 34 ticks to go.

EMU squashed any ideas of a Ferrum comeback in the second by scoring just 56 seconds in, when Mikayla Martin (Colorado Springs, Colo./Lewis Palmer) notched her first career goal with an assist from Derstine to make it 4-0.  Brianna Kauffman (Harleysville, Pa./Christopher Dock) stuck back a rebounded shot in the 53rd minute to complete the scoring.

The Royals had a comfy 30-5 control of shots, including 11-2 on goal.  Cox and Derstine each put four attempts on the mark, and Derstine figured into four of EMU's scores with two goals and two assists.

Ariel Bills (Paradise, Pa./Pequea Valley) got the start in goal and made two saves in 57:59 of playing time, earning the win in her first appearance.  Mariah Martin (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) moved over from her defender's spot and tallied a little experience between the pipes, combining for the shutout with 12:01 of work.

The women head into their final game of the regular season with a record of 4-13 overall and 2-5 in the ODAC.  They are tied with Roanoke for sixth place in the league standings, but the Maroons own the head-to-head tiebreaker.  EMU's game time at Shenandoah University on Wednesday is 4:00pm.  RC plays at Lynchburg at 7:00pm on Wednesday.  Live stats and video will be available for both games.

Coach Brenda Bechler talks about the win and the boost it should give her team heading into Wednesday key game at Shenandoah: