The Virginia field hockey team failed to record a win in two road matches in University Park, Pa. over the weekend, dropping decisions to then-No. 5 Iowa 3-2 and then-No. 13 Penn State 1-0. The Cavaliers (10-5) have dropped four of their last five games after starting the season 9-1.
The Cavaliers lost first to the Hawkeyes Saturday after falling behind 0-2 in the first half, the largest margin they have faced all season. Freshman back Floor Vogels and junior forward Traci Ragukas tallied two consecutive goals for Virginia to knot the score at 2-2, but Iowa sophomore Amy Baxter’s goal off a penalty corner early in the second half put Virginia away.
The Cavaliers were unable to take advantage of several opportunities throughout the game as they out-shot and out-cornered the Hawkeyes. Inefficiency has been a common theme in Virginia’s four losses, as Virginia dominated these opponents statistically but was unable to come up with the win.
The missed opportunities against Iowa rolled over to Sunday’s game against Penn State. Once again the Cavaliers failed to capitalize on many opportunities and were shut-out for just the second time this season.
The game against Iowa Saturday saw the return of freshman midfielder Michelle Vittese, who had missed the previous eight games because of injury after scoring four goals and two assists in the first six games of the season. Just as Vittese returned to the lineup, however, junior forward Lauren Elstein exited. Elstein was injured in practice last week and missed both games during the weekend.
The Cavaliers have had a hard time putting the same starting 10 on the field because of injuries in recent weeks. Elstein’s absence certainly contributed to the two losses over the weekend, though the team made no excuses.
“I think teamwork is more important in situations like this,” senior midfielder Lucy Meyers said.
Over the weekend, Virginia unexpectedly was able to gain the services of freshman midfielder Paige Selenski. Selenski had been with the junior national team for the Junior Pan American Cup in Mexico City; it was anticipated that she would not play in the weekend games, but she was able to return at the last moment. While in Mexico City, Selenski was able to score a hat trick in Team USA’s victory against Trinidad and Tobago.
Even with Selenski and Vittese, however, Virginia was unable to reverse its fortunes on the road. Four out of the Cavaliers’ five losses have come away from the friendly confines of the University Hall Turf Field.
Virginia is fortunate to return home and face Longwood Thursday. The Lancers (6-7, 3-2 NorPac) stumble into the game having lost three of their last four games, two of which were to ACC teams No. 3 Wake Forest and No. 7 North Carolina. The Lancers have struggled away from home as well, posting a 1-2 road record.
Virginia should be favored to win handily because the game is at home; the Cavaliers have won the last five decisions against Longwood, dating back to 2003. Virginia hopes to continue the trend of offensive dominance: As a team, the Cavaliers have outscored their opponents 47-22, already surpassing their 2007 total of 41. Selenski currently leads the team and is tied for third in the ACC with 13 goals.
Virginia coach Michele Madison’s group has played like a team that wants to win a national championship so far this season. The Virginia offense also will receive a boost to its roster with the return of senior forward Liz Hiltz, who rejoins the Cavaliers after one year away from the team. Hiltz is the older sister of sophomore forward Kaitlyn Hiltz, who has scored three goals thus far this season. Liz Hiltz has played in 24 career games for the Cavaliers and has tallied one goal and three assists.
“We are still trying to see; a lot of people are stepping up,” Madison said, noting that seniors Lucy Meyers, Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn, and Amy Desjadon “are the only ones that have been with us for four years, so they know what we want and they are just communicating that to the young ones over and over again.”
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