The No. 18 Virginia field hockey team continued its worst season start in more than a decade after a disappointing weekend in Evanston, Ill. The squad suffered a 4-3 overtime defeat to No. 11 California Saturday and lost 5-3 against Northwestern Sunday.
The Golden Bears (6-1) struck first on a fourth-minute goal by junior midfielder Kendra Bills. The Cavaliers (4-5) responded with scores from sophomore forward Elly Buckley and freshman forward Rachel Sumfest for a 2-1 lead into halftime. After California tied the game, Sumfest gave the Cavaliers a 3-2 lead in the 67th minute, but sophomore forward Andrea Earle tied the game for California during the last minute of regulation, and the Golden Bears sealed the win on freshman forward Lara Kruggel's second goal of the game just two minutes into the overtime period.
The Cavaliers started strong Sunday with a 2nd-minute goal by freshman midfielder Kelsey LeBlanc and a 22nd-minute score by sophomore back Lane Smith. The Wildcats (7-2) overcame a 2-1 halftime deficit, however, by scoring three goals during the first 10 minutes of the second half, including two by hattrick hero junior forward Chelsea Armstrong.
Virginia's five losses already exceed its four defeats during the entire 2010 season.
-compiled by Michael Eilbacher
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