Eagles Shut Out Stevenson in CAC First Round

Last Saturday, UMW field hockey controlled the Stevenson Mustangs from start to finish in a 9-1 victory on homecoming. Sunday, it took the Eagles a little longer to get started, but the end result was very much the same. UMW (15-4, 5-2 CAC) pushed across five second-half goals to advance to the CAC semifinals Wednesday at Wesley.

Despite a dominating first half in regards to possession and scoring opportunities, the Eagles found themselves locked in a scoreless tie less than a minute before halftime. 

With just 22 seconds left before the break, senior Morgan Jones scored the first of her three goals on the day to give UMW a 1-0 lead at halftime. Despite the slow start, Eagles' head coach Lindsey Elliot knew the goals would come in the second half.

"At halftime, when we were just up 1-0, I think we were definitely the better team," said Elliot. "We just weren't taking advantage of our scoring opportunities."

As the half opened, the Eagles began to convert such opportunities. A relentless offensive assault resulted in five more goals, two more off the stick of Jones, two from sophomore Caitlin Baker and one from junior Lisa Charney.

Jones' three goals give her 24 in 2011, breaking the school record for goals in a single season. To the senior, everything came together in the second half.

Said Jones, "I think our small game passing worked well and we were able to finish."

Wednesday's semifinal game with Wesley is almost certain to be a close affair.

"We lost to them earlier this season in penalty strokes," said Coach Elliot about Wednesday's game. "So we're looking to avenge that, and I'm sure they'll be pumped up and ready to go."