The Virginia field hockey team stands alone as the University's only undefeated team, recording its fifth shutout of the season in a 3-0 win against No. 8 Michigan State Sunday at Turf Field.
The victory brought the No. 5 Cavaliers' season record to 8-0, as the team reopened home play after a perfect three-week road trip.
Sophomore forward Paige Selenski immediately opened fire 2:56 into the first half on a three-player passing sequence. Senior midfielder Traci Ragukas created the opportunity as she dribbled up the field then swiftly passed to freshman midfielder Tara Puffenberger, who then fed the ball to Selenski near the left post.
Puffenberger also found the back of the net twice in the first half with assists from Selenski and Ragukas.
Looking to stop the Cavaliers' attack, Michigan State altered its defensive game plan during halftime and implemented a four-back defense. Though the Spartans' revised strategy proved successful - Virginia went scoreless the remainder of the game - the three-goal edge was all Virginia needed.
"They were getting too eager in the second half and getting to the spaces too early so they were crowding our space," Virginia coach Michele Madison said. "We didn't have the same opportunities we had the first half."
Although Michigan State was able to render Virginia's offense mostly ineffective in the second half, the Cavaliers' defense also seemed impenetrable.
"We knew we were two attacking teams and defense was going to be key," said Madison, who coached at Michigan State prior to taking the Cavaliers' reins. "The team that played defense was the one that was going to win the game."
Aiding the Cavalier defense was junior goalkeeper Kim Kastuk, who tallied a season-high five saves against the Spartans while playing all 70 minutes. Ragukas and sophomore back Inga Stockel each contributed a defensive save, while sophomore back Floor Vogels and freshman back Charlotte van den Broek also made their presence felt with several impressive stops and clears.
"The most important thing is communication, quick organization and just basically talking to each other," van der Broek said. "The defense is one team [within] the whole team. We have to be strong in the backfield and make good decisions."
Virginia outshot the Spartans 15-9 and maintained the offensive fluidity and progression that has keyed the Cavaliers' early success this season.
"As the games go on, we're getting a better feel for where each other are," Selenski said. "Sometimes we don't even have to look up to pass the ball. I think that's playing a big role because it automatically takes less time. We can just pass the ball to each other and shoot."
Virginia continues its homestand against Boston University on Sept. 25 and will host its first ACC conference matchup against Boston College on Sept. 27.
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