Washington and Lee University’s field hockey team opened its 2026 season with a hard‑fought 2‑1 victory over No. 9 Dickinson College, marking the Generals’ first win of the campaign and extending a historic edge in the series.
Season Opener Highlights
From the opening whistle the Generals asserted control, peppering the defense with four unanswered shots while keeping Dickinson scoreless in the first half. Anna Treese broke the deadlock in the second quarter, scoring the program’s inaugural collegiate goal and giving W&L a lead that would prove crucial.
The visitors answered back in the third quarter when Nicole Uebele converted a penalty stroke at 37:02, leveling the score and shifting momentum. The penalty corner advantage swung in W&L’s favor, with a 4‑2 edge in the final period.
Madeline Lancione delivered the decisive moment in the fourth quarter, finding the net after an assist from Zoe Dolfis, while goalkeeper Helenka Chodakiewicz made three crucial saves and yielded only the one Dickinson goal.
The Generals outshot Dickinson 11‑7, earned a 7‑5 margin in penalty corners, and improved their all‑time series record to 6‑0 against the Blue Devils. The win also highlighted the defensive solidity of Chodakiewicz, who posted a 3‑save performance in her first collegiate victory.
Looking forward, the Generals are slated to face Catholic University in Washington, D.C., on September 12 at 6 p.m., a contest that will test their early‑season momentum as they travel to the capital.