Box Score

Julie Freedman not only played great defense, but also dished out an assist in theLadies' 2-1 victory over the No. 15-ranked DePauw University." src="/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_id=13&image_path=/images/2014/9/13/Freedman_Julie_5FH12.jpg" />

GAMBIER, Ohio – The Kenyon College field hockey team used stellar defensive play and an amazing performance from freshman goalkeeper Sarah Speroff to shock the No. 15-ranked DePauw University Tigers, 2-1, at McBride Field on Saturday morning. It was the Ladies' first win against DePauw since the 2007 season and ended an eight-game losing streak to the previously undefeated Tigers.

DePauw, now 4-1 overall and 0-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference, drew first blood with a goal from Addie Ball in the game's 16th minute. Ball's teammate, Paige Henry, drove the left side of the Kenyon cage and flipped a pass over to Ball on the right side of the cage. Speroff didn't have time to make the adjustment and Ball directed the ball over the goal line.

That would be it for the Tigers' offense. Although DePauw uncorked a total of 22 shots at the Kenyon cage, Speroff did everything but stand on her head to shut down the Tigers. By the time the game was over, her highlight reel included a dozen saves. She also got a ton of support from the Ladies back line of senior Julie Freedman, sophomore Morgen Barroso, and freshman Paige Beyer.

As for offense, Kenyon did all of its damage off penalty corners. Roughly 23 minutes into the game, senior Rachel Hall sent in a corner that was a bit off the mark. Freedman chased it down, and crossed a pass from the right side to the center of the circle, where freshman Weezie Foster was standing. Foster lifted a shot through the legs of DePauw goalkeeper Maggie Steele and tied the game up.

With just 51 seconds left to go in the first half, the Kenyon women produced the game-winner. This time around, senior Sammy Johnston took control of the inbound pass off of another penalty corner. Johnston then wound up and fired a shot to the left side of the DePauw cage. Before the ball could make its way to the goal, Hall redirected it past a sprawling Steele.

The win moved Kenyon to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the NCAC. The Ladies will go right back to work tomorrow, hosting the Earlham College Quakers at noon.