Charlottesville, VA— No. 12 Virginia Field Hockey shut out No. 14 Old Dominion University 2-0 on Sunday, with solid play on both sides of the ball.
Entering today’s game, the Hoos held a three game winning streak with significant victories over No. 9 Boston College, and more recently, No. 16 Wake Forest. After a relaxed and loose warm up to a pop medley, Virginia’s players confidently took the field.
Less than ten minutes into the game, the Cavaliers struck first. Tara Vittese raced towards the goal sending a pass to Riley Tata. Positioned right in front of the goal, Tata was able to knock it in and put Virginia on top early.
Being able to score quickly was attributed to how the team “prepared well and showed their experience and poise through a very tough opponent,” said Coach Michele Madison.
Old Dominion had scoring opportunities on two penalty corners in the first half with shots taken by Megan Byas and Erin Huffman.
Led by goalkeeper Carrera Lucas, the Cavaliers were able to hold ODU to zero at the end of the first half with their strong defense. Coach Madison credited the defense on how they “denied the big ball and that took away part of Old Dominion’s game.”
Virginia kept their offensive momentum alive through the second half, with shot attempts by Riley Tata and Caleigh Foust. To do this, Tara Vittese said that after half time they “went in with the same mentality that it is zero-zero come the second half.”
After a blatant foul was called in front of the goal, Tara Vittese converted the penalty stroke and the Hoos increased their lead to 2-0.
Virginia now has four consecutive wins and they face an ACC challenge at No. 2 North Carolina this Friday, October 7.
