No. 3 Virginia Hangs on to Beat Richmond, 4-3

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RICHMOND, Va. – The third-ranked Virginia field hockey team (11-0) defeated Richmond (4-6) by a score of 4-3 Wednesday at Crenshaw Field. Sophomore Paige Selenski scored two goals while senior Traci Ragukas and freshman Tara Puffenberger also notched goals for the Cavaliers.

Puffenberger’s goal, assisted by Vittese, came in the 54th minute and proved to be the game winner.

Though Richmond’s three goals were the most allowed by UVa this season, the Virginia offense registered 14 shots to five for the Spiders. All of Richmond’s shots came in the second stanza. Selenski led the Cavaliers with six shots.

Virginia also had a 7-1 advantage on penalty corners and was able to score twice off corners.

The Cavaliers got on board 4:53 into the contest, when Tara Puffenberger passed the ball over to Ragukas, who put Virginia up 1-0.

After the first half ended with a 1-0 UVa lead, Richmond came back to tie the game in the 41st minute when Dani Pycroft scored her first of two goals for the Spiders.

Selenski then registered back-to-back goals, both tip-ins from teammate Inga Stockel on two separate penalty corners. The first goal came at 41:41 and the second at 46:12 as Virginia took a 3-1 advantage.

Seconds after a Richmond timeout, the Spiders rallied within one when Pycroft notched her second goal of the season on an assist from teammate Megan Thompson.

After Puffenberger scored to put Virginia back on top by two scores, the Spiders continued to fight back when Thompson scored with just six minutes left to play.

Up one, the Cavalier defense was able to hold off Richmond and come away with the win.

Virginia continues ACC play with a 4 p.m. Friday at No. 1 Maryland.