With its final three games against ranked opponents and a record hovering around .500, the field hockey team laid on its proverbial deathbed entering last night's game at University Hall Turf Field. But lowly Townson (9-7) proved to be just the thing to treat the ailing Cavaliers.
Virginia (9-7) pounced quickly on the Tigers, scoring five goals before intermission. The Cavs opened the second half with many of their starters resting on the bench, and glided their way to a 5-1 victory.
"I felt we finished really well in the first half," Virginia Coach Jessica Wilk said. "I thought we were doing a good job of following up our first shot with a second and third wave."
The team's seniors -- who are playing the last home game of their careers this weekend -- led the Cavaliers in all aspects of the game.
Steals by senior midfielder Kelli Hill led directly to the Cavaliers' second and third goals. Rosemary Walker, a senior forward, scored the third goal of the game, effectively putting the game away.
Senior midfielder Cara Unterkofler individually blocked three of the Tigers' short corner attempts, with the last stop leading to a goal by senior forward Katie Slocum.
Slocum, who is a team co-captain along with Unterkofler, was undoubtedly the offensive star of the game. She scored two goals, her third and fourth goals of the season, including the game-winner that came 22 minutes into the match.
"I thought she did a great job in terms of following up on rebounds," Wilk said of Slocum. "Her nose for the cage was good today."
For the first time this season, the Cavaliers were without their starting goalie, junior Emily White, who missed the game due to a concussion she suffered in practice Tuesday. Entering the game, White, who is second in the nation in saves and sixth in save percentage, had logged all but 26 minutes in the goal this season for Virginia.
Back-up goalie Logan Carr, however, played an excellent game in place of White. The sophomore keeper allowed only one goal while making seven saves and facing 18 Townson short corners.
"She was very calm and poised," Wilk said of Carr. "She had very good decision making. I thought she played a great game."
"I just stuck to the basics," Carr said. "Stick to your game plan and to the basics, and you can't go wrong."
Though this win helps the Cavaliers' record, the toughest stretch of the season lies ahead for Virginia. Virginia faces off against No. 4 Wake Forest this Sunday for the team's final home game of the season.
The next week, the Cavaliers travel to Durham, N.C., to play No. 12 Duke and No. 2 Michigan. The Cavaliers' NCAA tournament hopes lie entirely in the outcome of those games.
"All the rest of our games are really clutch and important," Slocum said. "We basically have to win all of the games if we want to make the NCAA tournament."
With their season hanging in the balance, the Cavaliers will test their 7-1 home record against Wake on Sunday. It's a game they must win.
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