The No. 3 Virginia women's field hockey team will try to bounce back from its 3-1 loss against No. 1 Maryland in its matchups against Cornell and No. 4 Wake Forest this weekend.
The Cavaliers led 1-0 at the half against the Terrapins before surrendering three goals in the second period. Sophomore midfielder Paige Selenski scored Virginia's only goal.
Before the loss to Maryland, the undefeated Cavaliers (11-1, 1-1 ACC) were off to their best start since 1979, when the team started 12-0 to begin the season.
Virginia's attack should be key in both matchups this weekend. Virginia has outscored opponents 40-10 this season, with freshman midfielder Tara Puffenberger and Selenski accounting for 21 of the team's 40 goals.
The Cavaliers continue ACC play against Wake Forest (8-3, 1-2 ACC) Sunday. The Demon Deacons have beaten the Cavaliers the last 14 times the teams have taken the field, including twice last season, when Wake Forest won 6-2 in Charlottesville during the regular season, as well 4-3 during the postseason, knocking Virginia out of the NCAA Tournament in the second round.
"The loss lost year in the NCAA Tournament has given us motivation to beat them," sophomore midfielder Michelle Vittese said. "We are really pumped up."
Wake Forest, however, has not been able to return to its 2008 form. Despite beginning the season nationally ranked No. 2, the Demon Deacons have struggled in their first three ACC games - losing to North Carolina and Maryland - while defeating Duke. Wake Forest also has not proven itself a statistically dominating team: the Demon Deacons rank in the bottom half of the ACC in almost every offensive and defensive category.
Two underclassmen lead Wake Forest. Sophomore midfielder Lauren Greenwald, one of two players to have started every game for the Demon Deacons, leads the team in assists with seven, while freshman midfielder Lizzie Rae leads the team in scoring with 13 points. Senior midfielders Aileen Davis and Raisa Schiller were both named to the Preseason All-ACC Team, but have yet to significantly contribute on the offensive end, scoring only four goals combined.
"We have wanted to beat Wake for a while," senior back Lauren Elstein said. "I think it's going to come down to who can play their game for 70 minutes. As long as we stay focused and play together every minute, I think we will be able to take it to them, which is something we have been waiting to do for a long time."
Before the Cavaliers take on Wake Forest, they will play Cornell (8-1, 2-1 IVY) Saturday afternoon. Though the Big Red boasts an almost pristine record, the squad has yet to play a quality opponent, and has gone into overtime in four of its games, emerging victorious in three. Junior forward Catie De Stio leads the team with seven goals and five assists for a team-high 19 points.
"We have to bring our 'A' game," Virginia coach Michelle Madison said. "They were undefeated up until their last game just like us so it's a matter of who can get their game back on track"
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