Virginia Hosts Columbia and Monmouth this Weekend

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The No. 10 Virginia field hockey team (1-1, 0-0 ACC) plays a pair of home contests this weekend, beginning by taking on Columbia (0-0, 0-0 IVY) on Friday, Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. at University Hall Turf Field in Charlottesville, Va.

The match will stream live online as an ACC Network Extra contest on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app. Live stats will be available through a GameTracker link on VirginiaSports.com. Admission is free for all of Virginia’s regular-season home field hockey games.

Virginia opened the 2017 campaign with an 11-1 victory over Fairfield on Friday night, followed by a 4-2 loss to No. 7 Penn State on Sunday. The Cavaliers are tied with Rutgers for first in the nation in scoring, with both teams averaging 6.5 goals per game.

Three Cavaliers either lead the nation or are tied for the national lead in several statistical categories. Senior midfielder Tara Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) leads the nation in total points (12) and points per game (6.0) and is tied for the national lead in goals per game (2.0) and assists per game (2.0). Senior back Nadine de Koning (Laren, Netherlands) had four assists in the Fairfield game and is tied with Vittese for the national lead at 2.0 per game. Freshman midfielder Pien Dicke (Den Haag, Netherlands) had a hat trick in her first collegiate game and is tied with Vittese for the national lead with a 2.0 goals-per-game average.

Freshman goalie Lauren Hausheer (West Windsor, N.J.) made her collegiate debut in the second half of the Penn State game, making four saves in 20 minutes without allowing a goal.

Columbia opens its season on Friday night against Virginia. The Lions return six starters from last season’s squad that posted an 8-9 overall record. Junior Katie Dempsey is expected to make her first career start in goal. The Lions will look for some new faces to pick up the scoring after losing 64 percent of their goal production from last season.

The Cavaliers finish off the weekend by hosting Monmouth (2-0, 0-0 MAAC) on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. The Hawks picked up a pair of victories in their opening weekend, defeating Bucknell, 6-2, and Kent State, 5-1. Forward Kelly Hanna and defender Julie Laszlo were named the season’s first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Field Hockey Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. In the opening game of the year at Bucknell, Hanna registered her first career hat trick in her second career multi-goal game to help lead the Blue and White to a commanding 6-2 victory. Laszlo, the league’s reigning Player and Defensive Player of the Year, had a hand on both ends of the field in Monmouth’s victories. The senior helped control the backfield which only surrender three goals in 140 minutes, while assisting on three of the Hawks’ 11 goals over the weekend.

Updated Bag Policy
Virginia athletics has updated its bag policies to mirror those already in place for Scott Stadium. At Klöckner Stadium, Turf Field and Memorial Gymnasium the following procedures have been put into effect.

All guests are subject to inspection and search for prohibited items. Event staff will examine the contents of bags, jackets, pockets, or any other personal item before admitting guests to the facility. In order to expedite entrance into the facility, it is recommended that guests not bring bags to events and arrive early at the facility entrances.

Prohibited Items
– Artificial noisemakers
– Balls, Frisbees, lacrosse sticks, and similar items
– Containers (including plastic or glass bottles, cans, coolers, or flasks)
– Food and beverages
– Weapons
*The University of Virginia reserves the right to prohibit any item deemed hazardous or disruptive to the athletics event or the enjoyment of the event by other guests.

The above procedures are designed to provide a safe and positive experience for all fans in attendance at Virginia athletics events.