WINCHESTER, Va.- Opening the 2026 season on the road, the Denison field hockey team fell to #20 Shenandoah University 4-2. Denison moves to 0-1 for the season, while Shenandoah improves to 2-0 to open the season.

Denison struck first, finding the back of Shenandoah's cage just six minutes into the first quarter. Following a flurry of attempts on goal after a penalty corner, senior Emma Gebhart rebounded a shot attempt right back into the back panel of the Hornets' cage. The Big Red would hold the Hornets to just two shots and gave up no penalty corners throughout the first quarter to hold a 1-0 lead heading into the second quarter.

In the second quarter, Denison came out of the quarter break with energy; this time senior Reilly Desmond gathered a rebound to put the Big Red up by two with over 13 minutes left in the half. Shenandoah would eventually find its footing in the 20th minute of play, scoring off a penalty corner attempt. Unfortunately for Denison, momentum began to shift in favor of the host, and in the remaining quarters the Hornets put up three more goals, taking a 4-2 lead in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter and holding the Big Red to just five shots and three penalty corners.

The Big Red finished the day with 12 total shots, eight of which were on goal, and held a 6-5 edge in penalty corners. In the cage, junior Therese Lucian finished the day with eight saves.

Up Next for the Big Red

Denison will stay in Winchester, Va., and take on #18 University of Lynchburg on Sunday, September 6. The Big Red and Hornets take to the field at 11 a.m.