The top-seeded Virginia field hockey team concluded their season Friday, falling 2-1 to No. 4 seed Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament semifinals in Durham, North Carolina.
The No. 11 Demon Deacons (14-6, 3-3 ACC) went on to defeat No. 6 Syracuse in the championship game to secure their first conference title since 2006.
Despite a strong season, Virginia’s resume was not quite good enough to earn an at-large selection to the NCAA tournament, given the amount of mid-major schools with automatic births. They were the only school in the conference to miss the tournament.
The Cavaliers finished the season on a four-game losing streak.
After earning the top seed in the tournament with the conference’s best record, Virginia was awarded a first round bye. Wake Forest defeated No. 8 Louisville Thursday afternoon, 2-1.
In Friday’s game, Wake Forest struck first with a goal from junior midfielder Jess Newak, while eventual Tournament MVP Anna Kozniuk, a senior midfielder, contributed with the assist. The Demon Deacons took the 1-0 lead into the half.
Early in the second half, sophomore forward Caleigh Foust tied the game on an unassisted goal. The game would remain locked up at 1-1 for more than 20 minutes. Kozniuk broke the tie with seven minutes on a penalty corner, and the Cavaliers could not find an answer.
Senior goalkeeper Jenny Johnstone played the entire game, tallying four saves. Wake Forest junior goalkeeper Valerie Dahman tallied only one save, as the Cavaliers mustered just two shots all game.
Johnstone and Foust were named to the All-Tournament team for their performances.
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