Rhodes and DePauw advance to SCAC Field Hockey title game

Rhodes and DePauw advance to SCAC Field Hockey title game

CONWAY, Ark. - Top-seeded Rhodes College and third-seeded DePauw University advanced to the 2009 SCAC Field Hockey title game with semifinal wins on Saturday afternoon. Rhodes defeated Sewanee 2-1 in overtime while DePauw cruised to a 2-0 victory over Centre. Semifinal #1 Box Score | Semifinal #2 Box Score 

Sewanee struck early against Rhodes. Tiger sophomore Elise Landau found the back of the cage just 1:59 into the contest - the earliest a goal has been scored in a match in the six year history of the SCAC championships.

Rhodes rallied to tie the game 16 minutes later on a goal by junior Libby Feaster which was assisted by fellow junior Charlie Wagner.

The teams battled for the next 52+ minutes without finding the cage and the day's first semifinal match went into overtime.

With just 50 seconds remaining in the first extra period, Wagner scored the game-winner on a penalty stroke to send the Lynx into tomorrow's championship match. 

Rhodes, which improved to 12-4 and set a school single-season high for wins, outshot Sewanee 16-8 and held a 13-6 advantage in penalty corner opportunities.

In Saturday's second semifinal, DePauw dictated the action early, scoring the game's first goal at the 25:51 mark when first-year forward Addie McDonnell found the back of the cage.

That 1-0 lead held until, with a little over 10 minutes remaining in the contest, senior forward Sarah Riffle scored her league-high 12th goal of the season off a penalty corner with an assist from sophomore forward Kimberly Trainor to give DePauw a commanding 2-0 lead.

DePauw outshot Centre 10-6 and held a 9-4 advantage in penalty corners.

Junior goalkeeper Liz Attewell posted her league-high seventh shutout.

After losing to the Colonels twice in the regular season, DePauw's victory improved its overall mark to 12-7 as the Tigers advance to the SCAC title game for the second time in three years. Centre finishes its regular season with a 12-5 record. 

DePauw last won the SCAC field hockey title in 2007 and Rhodes has won titles in 2004 and 2006. Sunday's SCAC title game begins at 11 a.m. CT.

Follow along with live video and stats at the official website of the 2009 SCAC Field Hockey Championships.

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