Written by Lauren Roth
This past Sunday, the Roanoke field hockey team had their season opener against Randolph-Macon College after 486 days of COVID-induced offseason. The Maroons anticipated this day for a long time, with many players, especially seniors, wondering if they would be able to take the field at Kerr Stadium again. The anticipation and excitement that was built up aided the Maroons in their 1-0 win over Randolph-Macon.
This was the first game for both ODAC teams this season. The defense for the Maroons is relatively young, but they proved their strength by keeping a shutout against the visiting Yellow Jackets. Hannah Roerdan, Roanoke’s junior year goalkeeper, had four saves throughout the game. The offense took advantage of their time down in the circle by taking 18 shots, ten of them being in the cage. The first and only goal in the game was scored by junior Attack Katie Martin. Senior Emilee Wooten took the shot from the top of the circle and on the rebound of a defender’s stick, Martin dove in to achieve the goal. The goal occurred 8 minutes into the game, and the rest of the game was played with heart and hard work.
Randolph-Macon held their own against the Maroons. They were able to take eight shots, four in the cage. Their goalkeeper made eight saves. The game overall was played with lots of aggression and courage. The majority of the game was played between the two 25s, showcasing the similarity in skill level between the teams. However, despite the Yellow Jackets’ drive to even the scoreboard, the Maroons were able to hold them off.
As they look to bring their record to 2-0, the Maroons will take on ODAC competitor Sweet Briar on Friday, March 12th at 4 PM. Whether you make it to Kerr Stadium or stream the game online, be sure to support the field hockey team!
