Washington and Lee University’s field hockey team is beginning conference play following strong showings against top nationally ranked Division III teams.
The Generals won their first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) game 4-1 against Virginia Wesleyan University on Oct. 4.
Head Coach Gina Wills, attributes the team’s success so far to their resiliency.
“They are tough, and I have a lot of confidence in the direction that we’re headed this season because of what I’ve seen from them so far,” Wills said.
The National Field Hockey Coaches Association ranks teams throughout the season. Wills said the Generals’ biggest ODAC competitors have historically been No. 15 Shenandoah University and No. 20 Lynchburg University.
As they play more ODAC games, captain Betty Boatwright, ’26, said the Generals will continue to face strong opponents.
“It’s awesome that we get to play in such a competitive league for field hockey, and the ODAC is just that,” Boatwright said.
Currently, the Generals have a 6-3 record with losses to No. 5 Johns Hopkins, No. 6 Christopher Newport University and No. 10 Stevens. They beat No. 14 Franklin and Marshall College 4-3 at home with an overtime goal from Amanda Tan, ’26.
“She practices that shot after every practice,” Boatwright said. “So I think everyone is definitely willing and ready to do that extra work.”
Margaret Scheurer, ’28, and Anne Burns Fiveash, ’27, both transferred from the University of Richmond’s Division I field hockey program. Scheurer said that she really appreciates the team spirit the Generals cultivate.
“Our team culture is very positive, everybody lifts each other up between starters and people that don’t play,” Scheurer said. “That has definitely shown through because we’ve had some last-minute wins.”
Boatwright said that the captains work very well together. The team has two other captains, Sydney Baggett, ’26, and Julia McDonald, ’26.
“I think we’ve been doing a really good job of communicating with each other,” Boatwright said. “I think we have slightly different leadership styles, each of us, which is great to be able to motivate our teammates who respond better to certain leadership styles.”
Both Boatwright and Scheurer talked about the benefits of the captains being spread across the field. Boatwright said that McDonald is the Generals’ goalie, which allows her to see the whole field.
“I think Julia comes from a different perspective because a lot of times in between drills she can notice things,” Boatwright said. “She is able to have that other perspective that me and Sydney sometimes miss when we are caught up in the drills.”
The Generals have enjoyed their time travelling and playing together, Wills said. They had a road trip to New Jersey and New York, where they played No. 10 Stevens and Montclair State University. In between games, the team explored the city and enjoyed dinner at the home of Dory Fosgate, ’28.
Boatwright said that the fall season is very short, and the time the team shares together is valuable.
