LEXINGTON, Virginia -- The Kenyon College field hockey program faced its most formidable opponent of the season, taking on the No. 15 team in the country, Washington and Lee University. The Owls fell 7-0 in the road contest against the nationally-ranked Generals, falling to 4-3 on the season.

Washington and Lee applied the pressure early, taking the first six shots of the game over an 8:36 stretch. The Generals converted on the seventh shot, going up 1-0. Two shots later, W&L was up 2-0 after their second goal in 55 seconds. 

Washington and Lee scored again with just 34 seconds left in the opening period, taking a 3-0 lead and forcing Kenyon to make a switch in goal, subbing in Megan Lydon for Payton Doan. The Generals took 13 shots (seven on goal) in the first quarter while holding the Owls without a shot. 

The trend continued in the second period as Kenyon was held without a shot through the first 30 minutes, but the Owls' defense tightened up to hold the Generals to three second-quarter shots. Lydon saved the two on-target shots, and the score remained 3-0 at the half.

The Owls took the first shot in the third quarter, an on-goal attempt by senior Bella Kern that was saved by Generals goalie Abby Long. Washington and Lee ratcheted up the pressure again, taking three shots in eight seconds and coming away with a 4-0 lead at the 34:12 mark after W&L converted a penalty goal.

Kenyon turned away eight consecutive W&L shots as Lydon saved half of the attempts, but the Generals generated a fifth goal with 2:01 left in quarter three to go ahead 5-0 with 15 minutes left to play. 

Washington and Lee added two goals in the final quarter, in the 48th and 52nd minutes, and clinched a 7-0 win after 60 minutes. The Generals finished with a 36-3 edge in shots, including a 22-2 advantage in shots on goal. W&L took 10 corners, while the Owls could not earn a penalty corner of their own. Lydon saved 11 of 15 shots faced, while Doan saved four of seven shots.

Up next, Kenyon plays the second of three consecutive road games as they head to Richmond, Indiana, to face Earlham College (0-7). The non-conference contest between the Owls and Quakers is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start on Wednesday, Sept. 28.