Story Links

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Three second half goals lifted the seventh-ranked Virginia field hockey team (3-2) to a 3-0 victory over James Madison (1-3) Wednesday in Harrisonburg, Va. Redshirt freshman Sarah Weber notched her first career goal while sophomores Elly Buckley and Carissa Vittese also scored.

In a scoreless first half, the Cavaliers outshot JMU 7-0, including two balls that flew off the right post.

“We definitely had some chances in the first half,” Virginia head coach Michele Madison said. “I told the kids at halftime they just had to keep shooting and keep believing. They were able to keep up the pressure in the second half and put the ball in the back of the net.”

Virginia came out strong in the second stanza and scored its first goal in the 52nd minute when Buckley collected a pass from freshman Jess Orrett and fired it past the keeper for a 1-0 lead.

In the 63rd minute, junior Britt Knouse was taken down in the circle and the Cavaliers were awarded a penalty stroke. Sophomore Carissa Vittese converted her second stroke of the season to put UVa up 2-0.

Five minutes later, Weber scored for the first time in her Virginia career. Knouse was credited with the assist from the right corner.

For the contest, the Cavaliers registered 13 shots to JMU’s three. Virginia also offensively pressured JMU with a 4-2 advantage on penalty corners.

Freshman goalkeeper Jenny Johnstone also recorded her first career shutout in all 70 minutes of action. She finished with one save.

On the other end of the field, JMU’s Margo Savage tallied five saves in the cage.

Virginia continues its road swing with two games at Miami (Ohio) this weekend. The Cavaliers will take on the host RedHawks at 3 p.m. Friday before playing Michigan State at 1 p.m. Saturday in Oxford, Ohio.

Print Friendly Version