Harrogate, TN - It's been quite a week for the Lincoln Memorial field hockey team. Prior to Oct. 20, the Railsplitters had managed a single win in program history; a 4-1 victory over DIII opponent Sewanee in 2022. Lincoln Memorial has dropped five games by one goal this season and has seemingly been right on the cusp of breaking through. Since a home victory over Maryville on Oct. 20, the first field hockey victory in nearly two years, it appears that the Railsplitters have finally broken the threshold, claiming three victories in less than a week.

Just three days after defeating Maryville for its first victory ever at home, Lincoln Memorial tallied its first conference victory and first conference home victory over Converse. The Railsplitters were riding a wave of momentum and continued to surf on Senior Day Saturday, downing Wingate at home in a shootout, extending their winning streak to three games and defeating the Bulldogs for the first time in program history.

Seniors Katherine Brislin, Aurelie Msiza, Ansley Ottati, Anella Rossi, Abagayle Auvil, Abby Bode, Ana Carney and graduate students Haley White and Leonie Pfisterer were all honored prior to the game for their contributions in helping lay the groundwork for the young field hockey program.

Lincoln Memorial goalkeeper Ana Carney put on an absolute clinic in the cage, facing 27 shots, tallying 20 saves. The Railsplitters' defense was lights-out all day, tallying seven defensive saves. Guadalupe Montaldo tallied three, Auvil tallied two, Finja Wunner tallied one, and Pfisterer tallied one. Neither team was able to score a goal in regulation, forcing the game into overtime. Two overtimes proved to be futile, forcing the game into a shootout situation. Each team got five attempts in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper with an 8-second shot clock.

Lincoln Memorial went first in the shootout and missed. Wingate responded with a goal to take a 1-0 advantage in the shootout. The Railsplitters' second attempt found the back of the cage off the stick of Frieda Mauer, tying the shootout 1-1. Wingate's following attempt was saved by Carney, leaving the shootout tied 1-1. Lincoln Memorial's next attempt was scored by Tannah Duncan, giving the Railsplitters a 2-1 advantage in the shootout. The subsequent attempt from the Bulldogs was scored, tying the shootout 2-2. Lincoln Memorial's next attempt from Brislin was scored, returning the advantage to the Railsplitters 3-2 in the shootout. Carney saved the following shot attempt by Wingate, leaving Lincoln Memorial in control 3-2. With a chance to win with a goal, the Railsplitters' following attempt was saved, leaving the game on the pads of Carney. To the surprise of very few, Carney (one of the best goalkeepers in the country) saved the attempt, seeing Lincoln Memorial take a 1-0 victory over Wingate, its third win overall in a row and second straight conference victory.

With the victory, the Railsplitters improved to 3-9 on the season with a 2-9 mark in conference play. They will take on the Coker Cobras on Oct. 30.