Springfield, MA - Four days after falling to Saint Louis on the road, the Lincoln Memorial field hockey team was back in action Thursday night in the Bay State against American International College. The Railsplitters came out fast to start the game, garnering early-game momentum behind a barrage of shots on goal. Lincoln Memorial carried the fight to American International for all four quarters, taking a 2-1 victory, moving to 2-1 on the season. It is the best start to a season in program history.

The first quarter offense for Lincoln Memorial was eye-popping. Inversely, the Railsplitters' defense completely limited the Yellow Jackets' offensive attack. Lincoln Memorial fired off a flurry of 10 shots in the first frame, connecting on one goal to take a 1-0 lead when Jolie Plaisier netted a goal with an assist from Jimena Loustalot. The Railsplitters' relentless offensive attack allowed for seven penalty corners, forcing the Yellow Jackets into 12 fouls. Although the second quarter got off to a much slower start, Lincoln Memorial began to speed up throughout the duration of the period. The Railsplitters added their second goal of the game when Olivia Rosini sank the goal with the assist from Kelsey Beauchamp, taking a 2-0 lead. With the goal, Rosini became the all-time individual leader in points, passing Katherine Brislin for the top spot.  However, American International chipped into the lead with a goal of their own late in the quarter, cutting the deficit to 2-1 at the halftime horn. 

Although the score remained 2-1 heading into the final frame, Lincoln Memorial owned the third quarter. The Railsplitters defense kept the Yellow Jackets from even attempting a shot in the third while maintaining offensive consistency, firing off four shots, earning one corner to hold onto a one goal lead. As the game stretched into the fourth quarter, the Lincoln Memorial defense maintained its legionary wall, once again holding the Yellow Jackets from adding even a singular shot in the final frame, holding on to secure a 2-1 victory, moving to 2-1 on the season. Rosini and Plaisier led scoring for the Railsplitters, adding one goal each. Beauchamp and Loustalot added one assist each. Goalkeeper Cayla Wiggins, tallied a 75% save percentage throughout the game, facing four shots, blocking three. 

The Railsplitters will be back in action on Saturday in Manchester, NH against Southern New Hampshire University.