No. 6 Virginia Wins 2-1 at No. 11 Saint Joseph’s

PHILADELPHIA – The No. 6 Virginia field hockey team (2-1, 0-0 ACC) picked up a 2-1 victory in a road game against No. 11 Saint Joseph’s (2-1, 0-0 A-10) on Friday (Sept. 1) at Ellen Ryan Field in Philadelphia, Pa.

Junior Noa Boterman and freshman Mia Abello scored the Cavalier goals.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Cavaliers had the first scoring opportunity of the game, earning a penalty corner with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Hawks were whistled for a foul that resulted in a penalty stroke for the Cavaliers. Boterman took the stroke and scored, giving UVA a 1-0 lead. It was the first goal allowed by the Hawks this season.

Saint Joseph’s had a great scoring opportunity in the second quarter when they earned a penalty corner. Two different Cavalier defenders were whistled for leaving early, whittling the corner defense down to two players and a goalkeeper. Despite being outnumbered, the Cavaliers managed to stave off the attack and keep the score at 1-0.

Abello put UVA up 2-0, scoring on a penalty corner 6:39 into the second half, a score that held into the fourth quarter.

With 6:44 remaining in the game, the Hawks pulled their goalie and cranked up the pressure. Manu Ghigliotti scored off a penalty corner with five minutes left in the game to make it 2-1. The Hawks kept with the empty net and the extra attacker, but the Cavalier defense held on for the victory.

Tyler Kennedy played the complete game in goal, making three saves for Virginia.

NOTES

• Virginia held an 8-6 edge in shots
• Saint Joseph’s had five penalty corners to Virginia’s three
• Mia Abello’s goal was the first of her collegiate career
• Virginia has scored five goals this season by five different players
• Saint Joseph’s goalkeeper Janelle Ward made three saves
• This was the Cavaliers’ third straight game against a ranked opponent

FROM HEAD COACH MICHELE MADISON

“Thank you, St. Joe’s for a very competitive, intense game. They put us under a lot of pressure. I like how our team handled the pressure especially when they were a man up and pretty much going for everything. We were able to stay composed and get the win.”

ON THE HORIZON

• Virginia closes out the weekend by taking on Temple on Sunday, Sept. 3 at noon in Philadelphia, Pa.