A second-half goal from Taylor Hensley (Orange, Va./Orange County) wasn't enough for EMU as their offense sputtered in a 4-1 loss at Shenandoah Wednesday afternoon. The field hockey women slide to 4-5 overall with the defeat in their ODAC opener.

Next up for Eastern Mennonite is a road game at Roanoke College on Saturday. The surprising Maroons were picked fifth in the ODAC Preseason Poll but are currently 6-1 on the year and 1-0 in the ODAC. Game time in Salem is 2:30pm.

The Royals had a good start to the game at Shenandoah (4-5 / 1-1 ODAC), controlling much of the first 10 minutes and earning a pair of corners. Lorraine Armstrong (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) ripped a shot after a corner in the eighth minute but SU's goalie was there for a save.

The Hornets slowly took over from there, however, and eventually notched the game's first goal on a rebound in the 21st minute. They scored again in the 29th to earn a 2-0 lead at halftime.

The deficit grew to 3-0 just a few minutes after halftime before EMU finally broke through. Moments after a corner, Hensley stuck in a goal to get the field hockey women on the board in the 45th minute. But SU got the score back just two minutes later.

Goalie Michelle Danek (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford) stopped a Hornet penalty stroke in the 57th minute, but the offense couldn't get back into the cage, despite a strong push over the closing minutes.

The Royals were out-shot 29-7. SU put 20 of their attempts on goal. Danek racked up 16 saves defending the pipes.

Emily Price (Hampton, Va./Homeschool) attempted three of EMU's shots while Armstrong had two.