In its last regular season game, No. 3 Virginia field hockey conquered Wake Forest in Winston Salem, N.C. After a heartbreaking shutout loss to North Carolina last week, the Cavaliers (13-3, 6-2 ACC) came into this game determined to play their best and end their regular season with a bang against the Demon Deacons (7-10, 2-6 ACC). They were able to do just that, coming out on top in overtime 2-1.
Virginia has been known for their first quarter successes this season, and they continued the tradition as they entered the field with a strong aggressive push. In the first ten minutes of the game, the Cavaliers took three shots on goal.
Coming in with a mission, Virginia made sure to get themselves ahead early after a penalty corner, where senior back Jans Croon took control of the ball from junior midfielder Madison Orsi and senior back Emily Field, slicing it past Wake Forest's junior goalkeeper Ellie Todd to mark Croon's fourth goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
Now holding a lead, the Cavaliers continued to press the Demon Deacons into the second period. While Wake Forest held offensive control for the first half of the quarter, Virginia's defensive measures proved strong — the Demon Deacons were able to get a single corner or shot on goal throughout the period.
Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, Wake Forest was holding onto their guarding plays. Virginia was unable to get close to scoring position over the course of the second quarter but was demonstrating strong stick work — the Cavaliers were intercepting passes left and right, leaving the Demon Deacons struggling to find time to make a strong push. With neither team gaining much ground, the first half ended with Virginia holding onto their 1-0 advantage.
Wake Forest exited the locker room with visible new energy — something the Cavaliers seemed to now be lacking. Just after sophomore goalkeeper Nilou Lempers made a beautiful save, the Demon Deacons took full advantage of their corner opportunity.
With a strong assist from Wake Forest's freshman back Mia Montag, sophomore forward Faye Janse took a smashing shot past Lempers, equalizing the game 1-1.
The period continued full of back-and-forths, with possession being constantly challenged. With less than three minutes left in the third quarter, junior midfielder Daniela Mendez-Trendler made a strong shot on goal that went just wide, and the period ended 1-1.
As the sun began to set, both teams came into the final quarter of their regular seasons ready to fight. After Boston College's loss earlier in the day, Virginia knew that it was going to be seeded fourth in the ACC Championship. The Demon Deacons, on the other hand, had more on the line — with a win, Wake Forest would be seeded sixth, and with a loss, it would sit seventh.
Mendez-Trendler kept driving the ball closer to the Demon Deacons' goal, earning a penalty corner — off of which sophomore midfielder Mia Abello took the opportunity to take a hard shot, which Todd was able to block with her body.
With just five minutes remaining in the final period, the game remained tied, but the Cavaliers refused to remain complacent. Abello ran the ball into the circle where graduate midfielder Meghen Hengerer hit the ball with incredible power towards the goal — once again, Todd was able to make the save.
The competitors kept up the fight until the last second, but neither was able to squeeze past the other for a deciding goal, moving the game into overtime. This looked promising for Coach Ole Keusgen's squad, who have played 10 games that were decided by one-point margins this season, of which they came out on top in nine — clearly showcasing their mental fortitude and grit.
A little over four minutes into the overtime period, Abello — known to put the ball in the net when it is most needed — took her chance to run the ball straight towards the middle of the goal, but it was narrowly saved by Todd. Senior striker Taryn Tkachuck grabbed the ball and sent it back towards Todd, who was once again able to keep it out of her territory.
With no more action in the first overtime period, the game was sent to another 10 minutes of overtime.
Standing with two and a half minutes left in the second overtime period, Mendez-Trendler, in her usual fashion, made a fabulous play — sending fans standing up in excitement as she flew down the field with the ball before slamming it into the backboard, winning the game for Virginia 2-1.
As the Cavaliers enter the ACC Championship, they will have to continue to work on their consistency, making sure they keep the push throughout the entire game. They are certain to face formidable opponents, potentially including their rival Tar Heels who defeated them last week. Clearly, Virginia's work is far from over.
The Cavaliers will return to Winston-Salem, N.C. for the ACC Championship, which is set to begin Nov. 5. Virginia’s first opponent will be announced in the coming days.
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