No. 12 Virginia field hockey fell to 2000 NCAA Champion Old Dominion, 3-2, yesterday at University Hall Turf Field after ODU managed to force 16 penalty corners to the Cavaliers' four.
Senior co-captain Jessie Coleman and junior Katie Slocum both put the ball in the cage for Virginia (4-2), but it was not enough to top No. 2 ODU (6-2) in the latest installment of the longest non-conference series in Virginia history. The Cavaliers and Monarchs have met at least once a year since 1976, including seven times in the NCAA Championships.
Monarch Tara Herrmann's goal early in the first half broke goalie Emily White and the Cavalier defense's 175-minute shutout streak and put ODU ahead, 1-0. Coleman responded one minute later with an unassisted shot to tie the game and Slocum put the Cavaliers on top with an unassisted goal of her own with a little over 26 minutes left in the half.
ODU then forced a string of penalty corners but was unable to convert until senior Adrienne Yoder managed to put the ball in on a penalty stroke 14 minutes into the half to pull the Monarchs even.
To the outrage of the home crowd, Coleman was charged with throwing an elbow with 17:30 left in the first half as she fought for position on the line and was issued a yellow card that forced her out of the game for five minutes. When she came back into the game to finish up the half, Coleman was crucial in defending Virginia territory, twice intercepting and clearing the ball downfield.
ODU finished up the scoring early in the second half when sophomore Melissa Leonetti tipped in a pass from freshman Lotte Bant to put the Monarchs up for good.
The Cavaliers forced four penalty corners and looked aggressive in the final 31 minutes of the game. They wound up with nine shots on goal to ODU's eight, but the Virginia offense was not enough.
|
"ODU is a great team. I thought we had moments where we played well but we need to take better care of the ball," Virginia coach Jessica Wilk said. "Our possession game wasn't good today. We played hard together but we didn't take care of the things we could control to come out on the right end of the scoreboard. We need to be more disciplined defensively. We need to bring the intensity to practice that we brought to this game."
While she agreed that team improvements must be made, junior Molly McManus spoke highly of the squad's focus.
"We played well as a team and we played with intensity," McManus said. "We looked strong but there are a few things we need to work on. We got better with our transfer ball and we were really doing well with our two-touch ball, which we've been working on in practice. It's coming with practice."
The Cavaliers head to Richmond on Wednesday to take on Virginia Commonwealth at 4 p.m. They are on the road at Maryland and William & Mary before returning home again Oct. 4 to face Appalachian State.
Read More
Boyden and Tufts reunite, chasing titles alongside each other
By Michael Liebermann | 18 hours agoA permanent mutual affection exists between Boyden and his former program.
Virginia faces goalie conundrum heading into Final Four
By Michael Liebermann | YesterdayThe situation represents a turnaround for Tiffany’s squad.
Connor Shellenberger, an unforgettable shot, and a wave of unbidden tears
By Michael Liebermann | YesterdayAn incredible game-winner triggered a rush of emotion
