After falling out of the top 25 for the first time since 1993 and losing their conference opener Saturday, the Virginia women's soccer team had insult added to their injury by a less talented Richmond Spiders team (5-2-1) who managed to hold Virginia (5-4-1) to a 1-1 tie last night.
Even with many scoring opportunities in overtime, including two within 10 feet and only the goalie to beat, a Cavalier offense that six days ago was potent enough to tally eight goals against Temple, suddenly became impotent in crunch time against a scrappy Richmond team.
The two teams entered the second half locked in a scoreless tie. Virginia was able to strike first on a penalty kick by senior defender Kelly Worden, but 18 minutes later Richmond countered on a breakaway score by freshman Annette Isham in what wound up being the final goal of the night.
Although the Cavaliers statistically bettered the Spiders in many categories, including outshooting them 26-6 and 9-1 in overtime, Virginia had a very hard time putting the ball in the back of the net when the opportunities presented themselves.
"We had a lot of chances; off the crossbar, deflections, and we were just very unlucky," freshman midfielder Kelly Hammond said. "We dominated the game and the result didn't show how the game went."
Hammond was instrumental in getting the Cavaliers their only goal of the night. She was able to break through a defender into the open a few feet in front of the goal. She was then fouled by a Richmond defender, drawing the penalty kick which Worden pounded home.
It looked as if Virginia would take control after finally lighting up the scoreboard, but Isham was able to penetrate the Cavalier defense and easily beat the Virginia goalkeeper, junior Anne Abernathy.
After beating two other Atlantic 10 opponents by a combined score of 15-1 this year, tying the Spiders was a surprising result for the Cavaliers. The tie was even more frustrating for a Virginia team that dominated Richmond in possession, shots and corner kicks.
Even though the Cavaliers did gain a point in the standings, no Cavalier was satisfied with the outcome.
"Tonight, a draw was difficult for us to accept," Virginia coach Steve Swanson said. "We had lots of chances and completely dominated but at the end of the day if you don't finish chances you leave teams in it."
The Cavaliers hope to revive their offensive prowess in time for Saturday's home match against the University of Alabama at Birmingham at 1 p.m.
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