No. 3 Virginia Records Overtime Win Against American 3-2
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The No. 3 Virginia field hockey team (5-0, 0-0 ACC) beat American (2-4, 0-0 Patriot League) 3-2 in overtime on Sunday (Sept. 15) at the Maryland Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Md.
Sophomore Mia Abello scored Virginia’s only goal in the first half at the end of the second quarter while Emma Watchilla netted one in the fourth quarter. Junior Dani Mendez-Trendler scored the game winning goal 7:24 into overtime.
Goals (Assist)
29:26 Virginia — Mia Abello ( Emily Field, Meghen Hengerer)
50:02 Virginia — Emma Watchilla (unassisted)
67:24 Virginia — Dani Mendez-Trendler (unassisted)
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first quarter, American broke the deadlock with a goal 9:19 into the second period. The Cavaliers earned a corner with less than a minute to go in the first half with Abello scoring to tie it up 1-1.
Emma Watchilla broke the stalemate in the fourth quarter, netting her third goal of the season to put the Cavaliers ahead 2-1 with just under 10 minutes remaining. American leveled the score board with 3:19 remaining. The Cavaliers were awarded a penalty stroke with 56 seconds remaining in regulation, but could not covert it, sending the game into overtime.
Dani Mendez-Trendler scored the game winner six minutes into overtime.
NOTES
- Mia Abello and Dani Mendez-Trendler scored their first goal of the season while Emma Watchilla netted her third
- American only recorded one shot each quarter in regulation and did not take a shot in extra time. Virginia led the overall shots 11-4
- Virginia held a 7-3 edge in shots
- American goalkeeper Bryn Underwood logged five saves. Virginia goal keeper Tyler Kennedy did not make a save
FROM HEAD COACH OLE KEUSGEN
“A gritty win against a very well coached American team. They made our game slow and sloppy today. Good to see that we get it done even on days when we don’t play our best hockey.”
ON THE HORIZON
- Virginia returns home to host California in the ACC opener for both teams on Friday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. before facing off against Stanford on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. at Turf Field