WINGATE, N.C. — The Belmont Abbey field hockey team opened up its 2026 campaign against defending national champion Shippensburg Friday morning at Wingate's Graham Gill Field.
The Crusaders battled but it was the Raiders who came away with a 4-0 win in the season opener for both teams.
The start of the game was moved up from a 3 p.m. due to a heat advisory in the Charlotte area.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Belmont Abbey held Shippensburg scoreless for the first 15 minutes.
- Valerie de Bruin took two shots for Belmont Abbey and the lone shot on goal for the day.
- The Raiders scored two goals in a span of 38 seconds to take a 2-0 halftime lead.
- Shippensburg added a goal in both the third and fourth quarters to cap the scoring.
- Lily Willard made eight saves in goal and Emily Harris made a defensive save in the fourth quarter.
- Three Crusaders made their collegiate debut: De Bruin, Lena Lutz and Kendal Heflin.
UP NEXT
- Belmont Abbey returns to Graham Gill Field to face IUP on Saturday evening.
- The contest is scheduled for a 6 pm start.
