Cavaliers Rally, But Fall to ODU 3-2
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Sept. 3, 2006
Despite outcornering the No. 4 Lady Monarchs 5-2, the Cavalier field hockey side lost to their in-state rival 3-2 today (Sep 3) in Charlottesville. After ODU (3-0) built a 3-0 lead at halftime, the Cavaliers roared back in the second half, not allowing the Lady Monarchs a shot for the final 28 minutes of the game. On the offensive side, Virginia (2-1) scored on consecutive short corners 90 seconds apart and drew four short corners in the half while surrendering none.
Virginia controlled the pace early, as a sidein in the upper right corner was taken into the circle by left forward Mia Link, who drew a short corner just two minutes into the game. The direct shot was saved but right back Abby Taylor collected it and sent it back in where right forward Traci Ragukas drew a second consecutive short. Virginia’s option left was saved and the ODU defense cleared the ball.
The Lady Monarchs drew a short corner at the other end, but the direct shot was saved by Katherine Blair and the Cavaliers quickly transitioned the ball up to the other end where a reverse stick shot went inches wide of the cage. ODU countered and attacked the endline, where Shannon Mobley’s initial shot was saved but her attempt with the rebound was blocked on the endline by a Cavalier foot, giving the Lady Monarchs a penalty stroke. Dana Sensenig converted it to the keeper’s right, putting ODU up 1-0 in the 10th minute.
Minutes later a Lady Monarch free hit was collected at the top of the circle, and the through ball from Jo Ann van Aswegen was re-directed by Sami McLeneghan to the boards for a 2-0 lead in the 14th minute. ODU kept up the pressure, just missing on two shots from inside the stroke mark over the next eight minutes.
In the 22nd minute the Lady Monarchs drew their second short corner of the half, and after Caroline Nichols’ direct shot was saved, Denise Admiraal lifted the rebound into the cage for a 3-0 lead. In the 29th minute Ragukas received a yellow card and was sent off the pitch for the remainder of the half, forcing the Cavaliers to play short. Virginia held their own, however, and the teams went into the break with ODU holding a 3-0 lead.
The Lady Monarchs put the pressure on early, taking a pair of shots minutes into the half. The Cavalier defense held ODU off the scoreboard, however, and a breakaway led to a Ragukas shot that was saved by Katie Driscoll for ODU. The teams traded possessions between the 25s for the next ten minutes before Ragukas was able to get off another shot that Driscoll saved. ODU took the ball to the other end of the field where sweeper Biffy Cornelison controlled the ball in the circle and was able to outlet the ball to center forward Fenna Breitbarth, who drew a short corner on her entry into the circle. The direct shot was saved but Virginia drew a long corner.
ODU was able to get possession, but on the clear attempt Link stole the ball and entered the circle where she drew another short corner. The direct strike by Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn hit the top of the boards and got Virginia on the scoreboard in the 63rd minute. She was assisted on the goal by Cornelison and Taylor.
Seconds later Taylor gained possession deep in the Virginia corner and sent a long ball up to Lindsay O’Bannon, who took the ball to the top of the circle where she drew a short. Kaars Sijpesteijn’s shot was tipped up, and Ragukas was there to hit the ball into the cage for UVa’s second goal in the 65th minute. A misplayed ball by ODU a minute later gave the Cavaliers their fourth consecutive corner, but the ODU defense was able to clear the ball and the Lady Monarchs held on for the win 3-2.
“We listened to the coaches and made an adjustment,” said Link. “We had to believe we could play with them, and we did.”
The Cavalier defense did not allow the Lady Monarchs a short corner for the final 38 minutes of the game and did not allow a shot in the final 28 minutes.
Virginia returns to action as they host the Highlanders of Radford University on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Game time is 6:00 pm.
Linescore 1 2 F (records)ODU 3 0 3 (3-0)UVA 0 2 2 (2-1)
Scoring summary:ODU, Sensenig, ps, 9:20ODU, McLeneghan (van Aswegen), fg, 13:57ODU, Den. Admiraal, pc, 22:10UVA, Kaars Sijpesteijn (Cornelison, Taylor), pc, 62:56UVA, Ragukas, pc, 64:24
Keepers: V: Blair (70 mins, 3 saves, 3 GA)O: Driscoll (70 mins, 5 saves, 2 GA)
Shots: VA: 4-7=11; ODU: 10-2=12Short corners: VA 1-4=5; ODU 2-0=2
Incidents: Green Card, Ragukas, 13th; Yellow Card, Ragukas, 29th