Cavaliers Handle No. 8 Michigan State, 3-0

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The fifth-ranked Virginia field hockey team improved to 8-0 this season with a 3-0 win over No. 8 Michigan State (5-3) Sunday at the University Hall Turf Field. Freshman Tara Puffenberger scored two goals and had an assist to lead the Cavaliers.

Virginia scored all three goals in the first half.

Sophomore Paige Selenski notched the first score just 2:56 into the game on a nice passing sequence by the Orange and Blue. Traci Ragukas dribbled up the field, dishing the ball in the circle to Puffenberger on the right side of the cage. Puffenberger then pushed the ball over to Selenski, who was sitting on the left post and punched it through.

The Cavaliers scored twice in the final five minutes of the stanza, both by Puffenberger. Ragukas notched the assist to make it 2-0 in a three vs. two situation while the final goal of the game came with just 10 seconds to play in the half when Puffenberger tipped in the ball from Selenski.

Puffenberger and Selenski pace the UVa offense so far this season with seven goals apiece.

Virginia outshot the Spartans 15-9 for the game while both teams each tallied three penalty corners.

The Cavalier defense stayed strong, especially in the second half when Michigan State tallied six shots to UVa’s seven. Junior Kim Kastuk had a season-best five saves in the cage while Ragukas and sophomore Inga Stockel each tallied a defense save. The shutout was the fifth of the season for Virginia.

Michigan State’s Elissa Unger tallied seven saves.

Virginia returns to action at 6 p.m. Friday at home against Boston University.