ASHLAND, Va. (Sept. 15) -- Randolph-Macon College scored three times in the second half to push past the Denison University field hockey team by a 4-2 score Sunday in non-conference action at Nunnally Field in Virginia. 

The Big Red were led by goals from sophomores Lila Smith and Emma Gebhart in the loss to the Yellow Jackets. Denison recorded a season-high 19 shots in the setback. 

Even though neither team scored in the first quarter, Denison and RMC combined to total 13 shots in an aggressive back-and-forth opening 15 minutes.  The Big Red had a slight 7-6 edge in shots in the first quarter. 
 
The teams continued to exchange chances in the second quarter before the Yellow Jackets got on the board first. RMC took advantage of a penalty corner chance to take the lead with 4:36 left in the half. Ashlyn White was able to deflect a shot into the back of the net. Breea Dresler played in the initial shot towards the net and was credited with an assist. 
 
Denison was quick to respond with a goal of its own. The Big Red needed just 46 seconds to tally the equalizer. Denison put together a trio of shots in front of the net. After the initial two shots were stopped, Lila Smith was able to put a shot into the back of the cage to even the score at 1-1. 
 
The Smith goal, her first of the season, allowed the two teams to go into halftime tied. Denison held a 12-8 advantage in shots at the break. 
 
Randolph Macon jumped on Denison in the third quarter to take control. The Yellow Jackets scored a pair of goals within a minute span to break the tie and take a 3-1 lead. Llana Thach and Isabella McNulty netted the scores for RMC. The hosts added to their lead in the fourth quarter when Anna Scheir scored 4:30 into the fourth. RMC had all eight shots as they held the momentum throughout the third.
 
Gebhart scored with 3:43 remaining in the game to trim the deficit to 4-2. Madden Phelps assisted the Gebhart goal. Denison continued to put pressure on until the end. The Big Red recorded four shots and three corners in the final minute. 
 
For the game, RMC out-shot Denison by a slight 21-19 margin (15-14 shots on goal). The Yellow Jackets held a 9-6 advantage in corner chances. 
 
Gebhart finished with a team-best six shots while Smith added five. Maddie Gaines added three shots for Denison. 
 
Senior goalkeeper Athena Joannou made nine saves in the loss. First-year goalkeeper Lizzie Karnofel saw her first collegiate action and made two saves after entering in the fourth quarter. 

Denison opens North Coast Athletic Conference play on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Start time at Deeds Field – Piper Stadium is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.