Sports
UMW Field Hockey Cruises Past Virginia Wesleyan, 8-1
With their second straight victory, the Eagles improve to 11-3 on the year.
If goals were money, UMW field hockey coach Lindsey Elliot would have a fistful of dollars. Her squad has been on a tear recently, outscoring opponents 38-12 in its last six games. Sunday, the #18 Eagles improved to 11-3 on the season as they defeated the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins in a decisive 8-1 victory.
Senior forward Morgan Jones led the offensive charge with two goals and two assists while freshman forward Courtney Rampey added two goals of her own.
Rampey’s goals were pivotal ones for UMW’s success, because they were the only offensive output the Eagles would muster in the first half of the game. VWC’s lone goal came in the first half as junior forward Allie Lanna scored on an unassisted break away cutting UMW’s lead to only one goal at halftime.
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"I wasn’t nervous at all during halftime,” Head Coach Lindsey Elliot said after the game. "I knew that if we could finish some of the chances we were getting in the first half, then the scores would come in bunches.”
Elliot was right. The Eagles scored six straight goals in the second half and never looked back. Two of those six goals were courtesy of Jones.
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"I was confident we were going to win after halftime,” Jones said. “Coach gave us a good speech and our adrenaline was pumping. After one person scored, everyone got 'goal hungry'."
The potent Eagles' offense controlled the pace of the game for the entire second half. UMW dominated the time-on-attack, peppering the Marlins’ defense with shots. The ball rarely crossed over into the Eagles’ defensive zone for the rest of the game.
Marlins’ sophomore goalkeeper Kirsten Olson had 9 saves on 17 shots on net in a losing effort.
UMW Junior Lisa Charney, senior Kaitlin Ripley, freshman Christine Downie, and sophomore Brenna Hill each found the back of the net once in the second half as the Eagles’ offense flexed its muscles.
The Eagles also showcased an impressive defensive outing to complement the high-powered offense. UMW junior goalkeeper Claire Gianelle made two saves, while freshman Emily Badis made one save in relief.
The Eagles (11-3, 2-2 CAC) will travel to Chestertown, Md. next Tuesday, Oct. 11, to take on the 7-4 Washington College Shorewomen.
