In their penultimate regular season game, No. 4 Virginia field hockey found themselves locked in a defensive slugfest Tuesday night at Turf Field. The Cavaliers (13-1, 6-1, ACC) faced off against No. 11 Maryland, attempting to extend their win streak to four after dropping their first and only loss of the season to North Carolina Oct. 10.
The Terrapins (9-7, 5-3, Big Ten) looked to end their regular season hot after an up and down year which saw them unable to string together wins consistently. The match was tight throughout, but Virginia yet again found its edge late and pulled out a 2-0 victory courtesy of two goals in the final period.
Though Maryland might not have the record to prove it, they have been a dangerous team this season — and one certainly requiring the full attention of the Cavaliers. The Terrapins have beaten five top-20 teams this season while juggling one of the hardest schedules in the nation. They brought that mentality Tuesday, and gave Virginia all it could handle until the final whistle in a nail biting match.
Maryland boasts a strong defense, capable of shutting down even the most talented of oppositions, and displayed that potential for much of the game against Virginia. This led to the familiar defensive battle the Cavaliers have become so accustomed to playing in this year. Both offenses sputtered out of the gates — opportunities were few and far between as each defense seemed to have their sticks lurking in every possible passing and shooting lane.
Coach Ole Keusgen praised the high level of play from both teams, but was not entirely satisfied with his squad’s performance.
“It was a classic match-up … very dynamic … hockey on a very good level,” Keusgen said. “We just got fortunate that we got the first goal, and it kind of opened the game for us a little more.”
Junior goalkeeper Nilou Lempers, the reigning ACC defensive player of the week, was tested for the first time after a pass miraculously found its way deep into Virginia territory and onto the stick of freshman midfielder Feliz Kuhn. With no defenders nearby, Lempers calmly stepped up and showed the same poise she has displayed all season, blocking all angles and diverting the shot away from danger. Throughout the evening, she recorded five more saves, continuing to anchor this Virginia team when needed most.
The first period ended scoreless, and the second did as well. Graduate midfielder Suze Leemans wreaked havoc in Maryland territory, only to be denied by the chin of a defender and then turned away again on the ensuing penalty corner. For every chance the Cavaliers could muster, it seemed Marlyand had an answer.
The teams headed into the half knotted at zero, with Virginia registering five of the total seven shots. The Cavaliers defense remained in peak form, not only holding the Terrapins to just one shot on goal, barring them from a penalty corner opportunity. Virginia’s offense continued to struggle on converting shots, specifically failing to execute on three first-half penalty corners, much to the ire of Keusgen.
“We really should’ve buried a couple more goals early in the game, especially on corners,” Kesugen said. “Right now we do not convert on corners and we have to come postseason.”
The Cavalier offense began to press harder in the third quarter, finally managing to pressure junior goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko. With just under 11 minutes left in the period, sophomore midfielder Amelie Reese fired a shot on net, but was turned away by Klebasko. The ball ended up on the stick of junior forward Emma Wachtilla who seemed to have the whole goal in front of her with no defender in sight.
Klebasko leapt backwards and made a heroic save on the subsequent shot, somehow preserving the tie through the third quarter. Lempers would make two more saves herself in the quarter, including an incredible diving stop with two minutes left in the third.
Virginia’s offense finally clicked in the fourth, catalyzed by a bullet of a shot from Leemans towards the net with 10 minutes left to play. Freshman forward Riley Savage guided the ball in from Leemans for the goal, giving the Cavaliers their first lead of the night. From then on, momentum wore a Virginia jersey, as just a minute later the team would showcase excellent ball movement in Maryland’s territory. After a series of one-time passes, the ball ended up in front of the net and senior midfielder Caroline Nemec was there to clean it up. The Cavaliers went up two goals with eight minutes remaining.
Despite this, the Terrapins did not go down quietly. In the final five minutes they earned three penalty corners and continued testing Lempers until the final whistle. The Dutch goalkeeper was up to the task, stopping two more shots and showing her athletic ability with a reaching split save to keep the score board clean. Keusgen seemed almost in awe of Lempers’ performance following the match.
“Of course, [Lempers] in the back, [made] a few outstanding saves,” Keusgen said. “Unbelievable.”
For Virginia, it was another instance of the team gutting out a win in a low scoring affair. These close call games should prove fruitful experience heading into the postseason, as opportunities will not come easy for the Cavaliers’ offense against some of the nation’s best. Friday’s match against No. 6 Wake Forest could serve as a playoff preview to cap off the regular season. The Demon Deacons feature junior midfielder Mia Schoenbeck, the top goal scorer in the ACC, and are undefeated in conference play. Virginia will need to play at its best if they hope to end the season with a win. The game will be played at Turf Field at 5 p.m. and can be watched on ACCNX.
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