The field hockey team overcame the 3-4 Paint Branch Panthers Sept. 22, 5-2, bumping up its record to 3-2.

The Vikes were neck-and-neck with the Panthers in the first half, which ended at an even 2-2.

“The team played differently than most teams that we normally play because they hit harder,” defender Valerie Acker said. “We had to adjust to it.”

The Vikings turned it up in the second half, pressuring the ball more and using their speed to rundown the ball, Acker said.

“Our game plan was just to tire them out,” she said.

With this strategy in play, forward Katie Choppin was able to score about ten minutes into the second half, securing the Vikes’ lead for the rest of the game.

“I think that goal really motivated us because we were able to get two more after that,” Acker said. “We just finally got control of the game.”

The Vikes look to further improve their record on Sept. 27 away against the 0-6 Magruder Colonels.