Harrisonburg, Va. – The Transylvania field hockey team began their season and road trip east to Virginia with a 4-1 loss to the Wilson College Phoenix at the Eastern Mennonite University Turf Field in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
 
Playing its first official game in two seasons, the Pioneers aimed to begin the 2021 season with a win, but Wilson's early goals gave the Phoenix a leg up in the Friday afternoon match.
 
After constant pressure from the Phoenix through the first quarter, Wilson scored the opening goal midway through the second quarter of action. The Pioneer defense remained solid, only surrendering one goal on seven shots.
 
After Wilson registered its second goal of the day early in the second half, the Pioneer offense clicked. A pause in the action followed a penalty corner attempt, but McKenna Saward played until the whistle blew. The junior found the ball and fired a long range shot into the right corner to score the first goal of the 2021-2022 season for the Pioneers, slicing their deficit to 2-1.
 
Wilson added two more goals over the afternoon to seal the win over the Pioneers.
 
The Phoenix outshot the Pioneers 20 to 4 for the game while the Pioneers' lone shot on target resulted in a goal.
 
The Pioneers will look to bounce back on Saturday, September 4 in a match against the Eastern Mennonite University Royals. The game is set to start at 12 noon at the EMU Turf Field.
 
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