Story Courtesy of York Athletics

YORK, Pa. - A pair of fourth quarter goals propelled the 12th-ranked York College field hockey team to victory over No. 19 Washington and Lee on Wednesday at home in the first round of the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship.

Kelbie Linebaugh broke the scoreless tie early in the fourth quarter and Katelyn Landis tacked on an insurance goal midway through the period to seal the deal for the Green and White.

Team Records
#19 Washington and Lee: 14-5
#12 York: 17-4

How It Happened
Through the first three quarters of play the two teams were locked in a stalemate with York owning a 2-0 edge in total shots and neither team able to earn a penalty corner.

Just over a minute into the fourth quarter, the game tilted suddenly in York's favor when Linebaugh put the game's first goal on the board. The play started with Aliza Staub intercepting a clearing attempt by the Generals at the top of the circle and then shoveled pass back in towards the cage. Linebaugh collected the pass and swiftly put a shot on target that slipped past a sprawling Helenka Chodakiewicz for her 11th goal of the season.

The Generals countered quickly and a minute later recorded their first shot of the game. Zoe Dolfis lifted a shot on goal which required an acrobatic save by Maddy Merlack to preserve the Spartan lead.

York remained on the hunt for goal and late in the 55th minute they earned themselves a penalty corner. After being denied on their initial attempt, Hannah Downs kept the play alive and slipped a centering pass through traffic to Landis who hammered a shot to the back of the cage for team-leading 13th tally of the season.

The Spartan defense had to make one last stand and rose to the challenge as they fended off two penalty corners with less than two minutes to play to secure the shutout and the victory.

Notes
York improved to 3-0 all-time against Washington and Lee as the two teams met for the first time since 2013 … the Spartans are now 4-3 all-time in NCAA postseason play with a record of 4-0 at home in those games … York extended their season win streak to eight and their 17 wins on the season is tied for the most in program history … the Spartans improved to 5-3 against opponents ranked inside the NFHCA top-25 this season … York has now held 15 opponents to less than 10 shots this season and held W&L to a season-low with three on the day … the Spartan defense posted their ninth shutout of the season and has six in the last eight games.

Up Next
York advances to the NCAA Second Round where they will face Penn State Harrisburg on Saturday in Newport News, Va. following the Lions' massive upset win over No. 6 Salisbury. The Spartans and Lions squared off earlier this season with York claiming a 5-0 victory.