Field Hockey Demolishes Virginia Commonwealth

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October 7, 1998

Charlottesville, Va.– Meredith Elwell (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) netted a hat trick, the first in her collegiate field hockey career, and added an assist to help the Cavaliers defeat in-state rival Virginia Commonwealth tonight at University Hall Turf Field. Senior All-American Michelle Vizzuso (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex) notched two assists tonight, both to Elwell, recording her 50th assist of her career. She is only the fifth person in ACC history to record 50 assists in a career.

Virginia got on the board early as Elwell popped in a Vizzuso cross just 3:25 into the game. Vizzuso added a second goal on a rebound of a corner play to put the Cavaliers up 2-0. The Rams capitalized on their only penalty corner of the first half as Maria Sonina connected on an option one minute after Vizzuso’s goal to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Cavaliers controlled play for the rest of the half but could not put the ball past VCU keeper Jennifer Burroughs. Finally, with just over four minutes to go in the period, Meridith Thorpe’s (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs) shot was tipped by Elwell to give the Cavaliers a two-goal lead. Eight-six seconds later Elwell streaked down the field and fed Melissa Hayes (Chevy Chase, Md./Georgetown Visitation) who was standing on the goal line and tipped in the ball to give the Cavaliers a 4-1 lead, which the Hoos took into halftime.

Virginia controlled play in the second half as well, and with 12 minutes passed in the period, Vizzuso fed Elwell on a breakaway and Elwell connected for her hat trick. It was to be the final scoring in the game, as VCU managed just one shot in the second period.

The win was the Cavaliers’ tenth win in a row at home, which ties the all-time record at Virginia.

Virginia faces Davidson on Friday, October 9 at 2:00 pm.

FINAL                   1   2   F (records)Virginia Commonwealth   1   0   1 (6-7)#4 Virginia             4   1   5 (8-3)

Scoring Summary: V: Elwell (M. Vizzuso) / 31:35 (1); V: M. Vizzuso / 29:18 (1); VCU: Sonina / 28:36 (1); V: Elwell (Thorpe) / 4:08 (1); V: Hayes (Elwell) / 2:42 (1); Elwell (M. Vizzuso) / 22:26 (2)

Goals: V: Elwell 3, M. Vizzuso, Hayes. VCU: Sonina
Assists: V: M. Vizzuso 2, Thorpe, Elwell
Shots: V: 24, VCU: 3
Corners: V: 14; VCU: 3
Saves: V: 0 (Worthington 0); VCU: 8 (Burroughs 8)