With the memory of their upset loss to the Nittany Lions in last year’s NCAA tournament second round still vivid, the Virginia women’s lacrosse team had some extra motivation going into Saturday’s game against Penn State.
This time around, however, the Cavaliers came out of the game victorious. No. 7 Virginia (3-1) got redemption in a 16-13 win against No. 6 Penn State (2-1) at Klöckner Stadium.
The win marks the second time Virginia has beaten a top-10 ranked opponent this season, having won against then-No. 4 Northwestern earlier this year.
“The team was really excited at the opportunity to play a great team in Penn State,” coach Julie Myers said. “I’m proud of our effort and of our teamwork all over the field.”
Junior attacker Kelly Reese led the Cavaliers in scoring with a career-high five goals. Additionally, junior midfielder Posey Valis scored three goals while senior attacker Kelly Boyd, junior attacker Besser Dyson and sophomore midfielder Kasey Behr had two goals each. Senior midfielder Mary Alati and freshman midfielders Maggie Jackson tallied one goal apiece.
Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Vander Kolk strong play helped the Cavaliers with 11 saves and scooped up four ground balls to help slow Penn State’s high-powered offense.
The Nittany Lions owned the advantage in shot attempts, 37-29, and in draw controls, 17-13, but the Cavaliers edged them in ground balls, 16-13.
Virginia opened the game with high energy, leading Penn State, 2-0, less than three minutes into the match after goals by Reese and Behr.
Penn State, however, responded back with two consecutive goals of its own, tying the game at 2-2 just under a minute later.
Virginia then went on a run, scoring five of the next six goals to take a 7-3 lead with 5:18 left in the first half. After the two teams traded goals, Penn State scored with 13 seconds remaining in the half to cut Virginia’s lead to 8-5.
Another goal by Behr as time expired put the Cavaliers up 9-5 at halftime.
“It’s always great to score that goal as the clock is winding down going into the locker room,” Myers said. “I thought that was a huge moment for us, in addition to several others throughout the course of the game.”
Penn State scored the first goal of the second half to make it 9-6. Virginia then countered with three consecutive goals to take its largest lead of the game, 12-6, with 18:22 remaining in the game.
The game became tough for the Cavaliers, though, as Penn State went on to score six straight goals. The score was tied at 12-12 at the 9:23 mark.
“We are making too many mistakes here and there with lots of turnovers,” Myers said. “But, we are there for each other, and we are getting better in the process.”
Virginia maintained its composure, and starting with back-to-back goals by Reese, the Cavaliers scored the next four goals to regain the lead for good at 16-12 with 2:43 remaining. Penn State scored with 1:42 left to make it 16-13, but Virginia prevailed, holding them scoreless for the remainder of the game.
The Cavaliers now look to carry the momentum from this victory into the upcoming week, when they will face another tough slate of games.
“We are back at it again this Wednesday against another in-state rival in William & Mary, and again this Saturday against another top-ranked team in Syracuse,” Myers said. “It doesn’t get any easier, that’s for sure, but we are excited.”
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