The Virginia field hockey team heads to Harrisonburg, Va. tomorrow to take on No. 7 James Madison in an in-state rivalry matchup that usually carries big implications for both teams. Virginia currently is ranked No. 11 in the nation and will enter the match with an undefeated record in its first four games.
The Cavaliers, fresh off of a 2-0 win against No. 8 Old Dominion are enjoying the benefits of a well-rounded team. The defense has posted two shutouts, and Virginia has outscored its opponents 18-3, including a crushing 7-2 victory against Vermont.
“Our defense saves us so many times when our press breaks down a little bit,” freshman midfielder Paige Selenski said. “They are like the backbone of our team, but our offense is really good with getting the ball up and bringing on breakaways and scoring.”
Coach Michele Madison’s high-press system has created many scoring opportunities for the offense while relying heavily on the defense and midfield to step up and cover. The key to the system’s success is players’ ability to fill in behind one another when Virginia loses possession. The seven goals against Vermont, the most scored in one game during Madison’s tenure, are evidence of the system’s success.
“We have been in the circle more times,” sophomore midfielder Shelly Edmonds said. “We have been dominating getting into the circle over the 25. [Other teams] haven’t been getting into our circle or 25.”
The high-press style of play requires intense cooperation and communication among the players; so far, nine players are responsible for Virginia’s 18 goals on the season.
“It’s a team effort,” said junior midfielder Traci Ragukas, who has four goals herself. “I don’t think one person wins a game or one person loses a game. We win as a team and lose as a team.”
The Cavaliers’ lack of a designated superstar has helped make the team into a strong, cohesive unit.
“Everyone just has something different to bring to the table,” Edmonds said. “Each game requires something different for a person to bring.”
The availability of many strong players has led the Cavaliers into the equivalent of a quarterback controversy in the goal cage. In all four games of the season, senior goalkeeper Amy Desjadon and sophomore Devon Burnley have split time. Together they have posted two shutouts. It hasn’t hurt the team to play two keepers, and Madison is not yet ready to name a designated starter.
“I don’t know,” Madison said of designating one starter. “Until one clearly steps up and shows that they are the better goalie ... then they both get any opportunity and they both have to be ready to play, and the only way to do that is to play.”
Tomorrow’s game against JMU gives this young Cavalier team the chance to make a statement to the rest of the hockey world. This may very well be the year that Virginia makes a serious run for the NCAA title. The team’s success against ranked opponents like Old Dominion and the level of dominance it displayed against Vermont suggests the Cavaliers are moving toward that goal.
“It’s not about the scoreboard,” Madison said. “It’s about what we are doing on the field and we are just trying to make that better.”
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