The No. 6 Virginia field hockey team split the season’s first two contests, blowing out William & Mary in Williamsburg Friday and getting shut out by No. 8 Penn State Sunday.
In Friday’s game, the Cavaliers (1-1) quickly proved they had not overlooked the Tribe for a second time in two years — Virginia was upset by William * Mary at home last season, 2-1 — taking a 4-0 lead into halftime. They picked up right where they left off in the second, ultimately blanking the Tribe 9-0.
Virginia saw goals in that game from veterans and newcomers alike. Sophomores Riley Tata, Caleigh Foust and Lucy Hyams, the top returning scorers from last season, combined for five goals, with Hyams and Tata each scoring twice. Two freshmen also contributed, with forward Emilie van Zinnicq Bergmann finding the cage twice and striker Liz Stern-Green scoring once. Highly touted freshman midfielder Tara Vittese also tallied a team-high four assists. The Cavaliers outshot the Tribe 25-1.
The Cavaliers faced somewhat of a Sunday hangover, facing the more talented Nittany Lions (2-0) team. Penn State freshman back Emily Bruggemeier scored twice in the first 11 minutes of the game, and Virginia was never able to rebound, eventually falling 3-0. The teams each tallied 11 shots, with Virginia putting seven on goal compared to Penn State’s eight. Hyams accounted for seven shots, with four on goal.
In both games, goalkeepers Jenny Johnstone, a senior, and Rebecca Holden, a redshirt sophomore, each spent one half in front of the net, confirming coach Michele Madison’s statement last week both would see significant playing time this season. Johnstone finished the weekend with four saves and two goals allowed, while Holden finished with zero saves but just one goal allowed.