NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Senior Emma Brayford scored twice to lead the Sacred Heart University field hockey team to a 3-1 victory over Lehigh in nonconference action Sunday afternoon at home.

Records:
Sacred Heart: 3-4
Lehigh: 1-6

Leaders:
Emma Brayford: 2 goals
Holly DeAngelo: 1 goal, 1 assist
Jaden Ray: 2 assists
Hailey Vogt: 1 defensive save
Brianna Cooper: 4 saves

Of Note:
Brayford opened the scoring just 6:37 into the first quarter, finishing off a penalty corner set up by Jaden Ray and Amelia Pellegrini to give the Pioneers the early edge.

After a scoreless second period, the action picked up in the third as Sacred Heart broke through with two goals. Holly DeAngelo doubled the lead at 33:15 off an assist from Ines Braithwaite. Just four minutes later, Brayford struck again on another corner, this time converting feeds from Ray and DeAngelo to make it 3-0.

Lehigh responded in the fourth with a penalty stroke at the 54:05 mark, but the Mountain Hawks could not close the gap, despite a late flurry that included four corners in the final six minutes.

Sacred Heart outshot Lehigh 19-15 and held a 10-6 edge in shots on goal.

Sacred Heart goalkeeper Brianna Cooper made four saves to earn the win.

Up Next:
The Pioneers return to action on Friday, September 26, when they host Wagner in Northeast Conference play at 3 pm to open Family Weekend.