In a back-and-forth goal-scoring frenzy at Turf Field, the Virginia field hockey offense prevailed in a 4-3 victory over Richmond yesterday. The potent offense made up for a lackluster defense that allowed three goals on just six shots, including Richmond's first two shots of the game.
"We're happy to put the balls in the net, that's what it's all about," Virginia coach Michelle Madison said. "That's what we say: get the goals and attack, and that's what we did."
The Cavaliers took control early, securing three short corners in the first seven minutes before sophomore forward Traci Ragukas was able to beat Richmond junior goalkeeper Becca Weaver on a breakaway in the eighth minute to give Virginia the lead.
Less than one minute later, Virginia struck again. Junior midfielder Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn fired a ball towards goal from just outside the circle that freshman forward Kaitlyn Hiltz redirected into the net. As the Cavaliers jumped out to a 2-0 lead, it appeared to be only a matter of time before Virginia blew the game open.
"The first 15 minutes, they played just how we wanted to, right with the game plan," Madison said. "Being able to do that minute after minute is what we have to build on."
In the 14th minute, however, the tide turned toward the Spiders. Freshman Sarah Blythe-Wood made a run into the shooting circle and snuck a backhand roller through freshman goalkeeper Devon Burnley on Richmond's only shot of the first half. Despite the Cavaliers' dominant 6-1 advantage in shots, they went into the half with just a 2-1 lead.
The Cavaliers regained the momentum early in the second half, as sophomore midfielder Kelsey Vonier found freshman forward Taylor Swezey in front of the goal, who touched the ball past the diving Weaver into the lower corner in the 38th minute. The goals from Swezey and Hiltz, the first goals of their college careers, were welcome contributions from a freshman class that will have to play a major role to fill the void left by last year's talented seniors.
"It's just a matter of time before they score, they're very talented players," Madison said. "As long as they're leading and passing, we get the ball in the circle."
Richmond, however, took advantage of its second scoring opportunity of the match to once again pull within a goal of Virginia. On Richmond's first short corner of the match, Richmond inserted to Blythe-Wood, who blasted a shot that deflected off a Cavalier stick into the upper corner for her second goal of the game.
Blythe-Wood "is a good player," Madison said. "They really isolated the defenders at the back."
The Cavalier offense, however, rebounded once again. In the 55th minute, Ragukas came out of a scrum with the ball in front of goal and placed a shot into the lower corner for her second goal of the game and her third this season.
Yet Richmond refused to give up. With just over two minutes remaining in the game, the Spiders got off a shot in the circle that junior goalkeeper Amy Desjadon got a foot on, but was unable to push wide of goal. Richmond sophomore forward Anne Edwards took advantage of the opportunity to put away the rebound, pulling the Spiders within a goal once more.
Virginia, however, was able to hold on for the final two minutes to conserve the win.
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