No. 3 Virginia Field Hockey has become the team circled on each opponent's schedule. Beginning the season 6-0, the squad has emerged as a real national championship contender — and everyone they play knows this. This leads to intense game planning and strategy, trying to exploit the team's few weaknesses. California was no exception — the Golden Bears (3-5, 0-3 ACC) attempted to ambush the travel-ridden Cavaliers (7-0, 3-0, ACC) off the jump. Virginia ultimately remained poised and ready despite facing multiple deficits, clawing out a 3-2 victory on the road at Underhill Field.
The game was quick-paced and frenetic from the jump. California struck quickly, swinging the ball out wide to sophomore forward Liz Klompmaker, who sent in a beautiful ball towards the crease. Senior forward Olivia Sharrat found the pass, and with a wide open net, simply guided the ball in to give the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead before the Cavaliers could fully settle in.
Virginia matched the intensity of its adversary and kept the pressure up, earning a penalty corner just two minutes after falling behind. A slight mishandle of the pass in led to the team not being able to get its initial shot off, but the ball found the stick of junior midfielder Mia Abello who seemed to know exactly what to do with it. Fading to her right, and at a seemingly impossible angle, Abello reared up for a backhand shot. The ball exploded off her stick and through the legs of the keeper, sending the game back to square.
The Golden Bears refused to be quelled. Less than a minute later, they found themselves with another golden chance on a penalty corner. Executed to perfection, Klompmaker took advantage of an open look, striking the ball into the back of the net. The quick pace of play had been established — within just 10 minutes, three goals were already on the board. California ended the first quarter with a 2-1 lead over Virginia.
Coach Ole Keusgen recognized his team came out playing, perhaps a little too fast.
“We struggled in the beginning of the game,” Keusgen said. “[We] made too many mistakes and were a bit too frantic.”
True to his message, Virginia played more disciplined and settled following the break. The game began to slow down in the second quarter, with both teams prioritizing limiting the quality looks for the opposition. While the Golden Bears found some looks throughout, junior goalkeeper Nilou Lempers was not threatened — after a tough first quarter, her slate stayed clean through the second.
The Cavaliers managed the California offense by pressing deep into its territory, making each pass a stressful one and slowing the team down. Virginia became more aggressive as well, turning over the Golden Bears several times and creating dangerous chances.
The Cavaliers best look came thanks to a flash of individual brilliance courtesy of freshman midfielder Mary Adams. Receiving the ball on the Cavalier side of midfield, Adams cut through three California defenders and worked her way towards the opposing goal. She would spot her open teammate, freshman forward Riley Savage, near the net who was subsequently taken out by a football-esque tackle, flagged as a penalty. Abello took the free shot, and with shades of her game winning goal just a week ago, found the bottom left corner to tie the game. Heading into half, the game remained deadlocked at 2-2.
The Cavaliers entered the second half with newfound energy. While they did not find the back of the net in the third, they ratcheted up the pressure and began peppering the Golden Bears with shots. On the other end, California’s attempts were stifled, generating little offense and spending much of its time in its defensive half thanks to Virginia’s press. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, recorded a whopping nine shots to the Golden Bears one in the quarter. While the scoreboard remained tied heading into the fourth quarter, momentum was clearly wearing an orange jersey.
Virginia’s aggression eventually yielded dividends. With just about nine minutes left in regulation, the Cavaliers executed a beautiful penalty corner, allowing freshman back Lauren Sloan to fire a shot towards the net. Senior midfielder Caroline Nemec positioned herself beautifully in front of goal, and redirected the ball from Sloan into the top of the net, leaving the keeper with no chance to react. The goal granted Virginia its first lead of the evening — now 3-2 — and the team prepared to buckle down and hold onto it. California could not get much going despite its desperation, and the Cavaliers defense shut the door in Berkley.
In the second half, though only a one score difference, Virginia exerted its dominance all over the field. It outshot the Golden Bears 11 to 4, and none of California’s attempts were on net. The Cavalier defense played stout and disciplined, using their talent and experience to slow down a Golden Bears squad who wanted to play quick.
“In the second half we took control of the game,” Keusgen said. “[We] found the net on a set situation to win the game.”
Virginia will hope to get off to a quicker start in its next matchup, another west coast road battle against Stanford Sunday. The Cardinal (4-5, 1-2, ACC) are coming off a massive conference win against No. 16 Louisville and will look to keep their momentum going into the next one against the undefeated Cavaliers. Virginia will need to be careful with this pesky Stanford squad who plays very well at home. The game will begin at 9 a.m. and can be streamed on ACCNX.
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