The Cavalier field hockey team found a way to add to their undefeated streak, pulling out a 2-0 victory over the Richmond Spiders (4-2) in the pre-hurricane conditions at U-Hall Turf Field last night.
After a slow start on the rain-drenched artificial surface, the fifth-ranked Cavs (5-0) began the play that has put them in the win column all season.
"We got out to a slow start, but that is because Richmond really came out and came ready to play," Virginia coach Jessica Wilk said. "I think our kids responded well though -- they really picked up the level of play after about the first four or five minutes."
The Cavaliers needed to be prepared for a Richmond team that is on the rebound this season. The Spiders (4-2) finished last season with a rough 5-16 record, but this year the team opened strong, winning four of their first five games.
After some back and forth sparring with possession from both sides, Virginia put in the first of its two goals at the 19:42 mark in the first half. A brutal strike from center from second-year midfielder Jessica Coleman was deflected into the goal high off the stick of fourth-year forward Meredith Elwell.
The goal was just one more notch in the scoring belt of Elwell, who stands among the top 15 all-time leading scorers in the ACC with 133 points. She adds the goal to her 54 career scores, which places her 13th in ACC history.
The first half closed with a 1-0 score, after the Cavaliers were unable to convert on five penalty corners after the initial goal.
"We really did a nice job in terms of our passing game, and we really got ourselves a lot of opportunities, we just didn't finish them all like we wanted to," Wilk said.
The second half opened with an aggressive Richmond team stretching the Cavalier defense, but solid play in goal by third-year keeper Becky Worthington was enough to keep the Spiders scoreless.
The Spiders' one legitimate chance came two minutes into the start of the second half. After a penalty against the Cavaliers, Richmond was rewarded with a penalty stroke that missed wide left. The Spiders would not threaten again for the rest of the match. Worthington recorded her third shut-out of the season, stonewalling every attempt by a Richmond team looking to get back in the contest. The other Cavaliers did their share, tightening up the defense all over the field in the second half.
At the 21:04 mark, second-year forward Carrie Goodloe provided the assist on Meredith Elwell's second goal of the game. A crisp pass from Goodloe met the timely tap of Elwell for the Cavs' insurance goal.
"We really worked the ball around well, and really played well together, but the score doesn't show how well we played," Goodloe said. "We really picked it up in the second half of play."
The Cavaliers controlled possession for most of the remainder, not giving Richmond a legitimate chance to even the score. With the field spread and a sharpened passing scheme, the Cavs played a very tactical game of keep away.
"We did a good job of forming our triangles and attacking and hitting the passing lanes," Coleman said.
The Cavaliers undefeated season continues to roll on, but third-ranked North Carolina provides a large obstacle on the horizon for the young Cavs. The game Sunday against the Heels will be a crucial test for the team, and the first big challenge of the season.
"Playing Carolina will be a big step for us," Wilk said. "They are a great team and we are going to have to step it up against them"
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