Virginia's field hockey team will look to build on their strong game against Old Dominion last weekend when they face off against Radford tonight. The Cavaliers lost 3-2 to fourth-ranked ODU Sunday but made several adjustments at halftime and dominated the entire second half, scoring two goals two minutes apart.
"I thought they finished really strong," Virginia coach Michele Madison said. "I don't think that it was fatigue, I just think that they have to be more resilient."
Madison has turned around the team from last year, when they underachieved and finished 10-10 overall. Madison came in and overhauled the squad, giving the team a renewed work ethic that has been displayed in their first three games this year. The team has a new attitude this year, as explained by senior left forward Mia Link.
"ODU has always been a dominant force," Link said. "We're trying to focus on this year and not on the past."
The Cavaliers seem to be much more competitive than last year, when, at times, they seemed overmatched, suffering blowout losses to Michigan State, Maryland and North Carolina. The close loss to the fourth-ranked team in the country shows the Cavaliers have made significant improvement from last year.
So far this year, the Cavaliers have been bolstered by the leadership of their three seniors: Link, sweeper Biffy Cornelison and goalie Kat Blair. Link has one goal and two assists so far, and Cornelison has added two goals and one assist. Cornelison and Link rank second and third on the team in points, respectively. Blair has been solid in the goal with six saves and a goals-against average of two. Senior leadership will be essential for the Cavaliers as they look forward to their next game against Radford Wednesday.
Following games this past weekend against Ohio and ODU, Virginia now has several solid performances to build on.
"Every game is another type of experience, and we're just going to keep on building." Link said.
Having already upset Indiana and nearly-toppled Old Dominion, the Cavaliers know that they can be competitive with virtually any team.
"We can do it," sophomore defender Inge Sijpesteijn said. "We can be competitive with all the top teams in the nation. We need to stay positive, keep on going and keep our heads up."
One of Virginia's strengths so far has been penalty corners. The Cavaliers have converted four of 12 penalty corners in three games. Opponents have only converted one of six penalty corners against Virginia.
Radford coach Jeff Woods has piloted the Radford Highlanders to a 2-1 record so far this year, recording wins against Siena and Colgate, with their one loss coming against William & Mary this past Sunday.
The Highlanders returned five seniors this year from a team that went 8-8 last year. Radford is led by senior Tiffany Church. Church started every game in 2005, recording 11 assists -- the most for a Highlander since 1991. Church has recorded two goals and one assist through three games in 2006.
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