WASHINGTON, Pa. - SUNY Geneseo sophomore forward Sarah Malinak scored two goals in the first eight minutes, before first-year back Liz Doherty netted the game-winner in the 61st minute to lead field hockey to a 3-2 victory over host Washington & Jefferson, Saturday.

Sophomore goalkeeper Dayna Mercer totaled nine saves, including eight in the second half to preserve the Knights' second straight victory.

"This was a great win for us against a tough opponent," said head coach Jess Seren. "We came out strong scoring a quick goal to seize the momentum early, which is always challenging on the road. Our character was tested after Washington & Jefferson came back to tie it up, and I was really proud of the way we rose to the occasion and found a way to win."

Malinak tallied an unassisted goal just 2:25 into the game, and then found the net again in the eighth minute off an assist from senior forward Kayla DeAngelis as Geneseo (2-1) led 2-0 with 27:04 on the first-half clock. The Presidents (2-1) got on the board exactly five minutes later on the first of two goals by Kelly Knisel. 

Trailing 2-1 at halftime, W&J tied the game 9:05 into the second stanza as Knisel found the net again with 25:55 remaining in regulation. However, Doherty converted a feed from DeAngelis with 9:31 on the clock for the eventual game winner. 

Geneseo outshot the Presidents 13-3 in the first half, but only finished the game with a 16-14 edge. 

The Knights finish off their stretch of five road matches to the start the season this week, starting with a trip to William Smith this Tuesday (Sept. 10) for a 7:00 p.m. faceoff, before heading north to take on St. Lawrence on Saturday (Sept. 14) at noon.