The Virginia field hockey team won two out of three games this past week to drive their record back above .500.
The Cavaliers (8-7, 0-2 ACC) received goals from Allie Flynn and Katie Jo Gerfen in their 2-1 victory over Quinnipiac University (5-8) on Friday. Logan Carr added six saves in goal for Virginia.
The Cavaliers got on the board in the first half when a Julie Bojanic free hit was tipped into the boards by Allie Flynn.
Virginia mounted their lead in the second half when Gerfen's shot was deflected into the cage by a Quinnipiac defender. The Cavaliers held off a rally by Quinnipiac in the final minutes to secure the victory.
On Sunday, Virginia lost to conference rival and second-ranked North Carolina, 6-0, despite a career-high 18 saves by Carr. With the loss, the Cavaliers dropped to .500.
The Tar Heels (13-1, 2-1 ACC) scored three goals on short corners in the first half and added two more goals from the field to take a 5-0 halftime lead. Carolina's Brooke Miller also added an unassisted goal in the second half.
Virginia coach Jessica Wilk addressed issues that the team needed to work on before their next game against Cornell.
"I think we really needed to get back to working as a unit on both sides of the ball," she said. "And defensively, [we need to] communicate a little better and play a more organized team defense."
The Cavaliers came out slowly on offense against Cornell Tuesday, but picked up intensity in the second half to beat the Big Red, 4-0. Carr and Katherine Blair combined for the shutout, Virginia's third of the season.
Cornell (4-9) came out early with a flurry of shots on the Cavalier's goal, but did not capitalize on their scoring chances. Virginia back Erin Hayes also notched a defensive save during the barrage.
The Cavaliers got their lone goal of the half after Lindsey Selfridge was tripped from behind as she entered the circle. Virginia was awarded a penalty stroke, and Katie Nicholson converted for a 1-0 halftime lead.
The Cavaliers entered the second half with a stronger defense and a more polished offense.
"I think our marking got much better in the second half," Flynn said. "I think we were able to step up and intercept more balls."
Midway through the half, Mia Link rifled a shot on goal. Cornell goalkeeper Kaitlin Tierney made the initial save, but Hayes pounced on the rebound and pushed it in the cage for a 2-0 lead.
Five minutes later, Link intercepted a Cornell pass and again took a shot that initially was saved by Tierney. Virginia sophomore back Sarah Miller was there for a pair of shots, and finally stuck-in her own rebound.
"I thought we did a better job passing and possessing the ball in the second half and that really led to better opportunities in the circle," Wilk said.
Lindsay O'Bannon scored the Cavaliers' final goal with 6:47 to play. Selfridge assisted on the score for her first career point.
Virginia next hits the turf this Sunday at 1 p.m. when they host St. Francis, Pa., before traveling to Wake Forest Oct. 26 for an important ACC match-up.
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