Despite falling in its season opener to the University of Virginia Saturday, Aug. 27, the Rams proved that they could play with some of the best teams in the area.
“If this game can help us be better, then I’m happy with that,” Virginia Commonwealth University head coach Shelly Behrens said. “This is something we can build on.”
The Rams fell to the University of Virginia 3-0 at Cary Street Field Aug. 27, but they realized what they have to do to improve upon last year’s accomplishments, a season in which they ended up 10-9 overall.
“This was good experience against a good UVA team,” said junior co-captain Ashley Cadwallader. “This game helps us take one step forward. We realize that we have to do a lot of communicating.”
UVA one of the top teams on the East Coast and the game provided valuable experience for the Rams, who are scheduled to play other field hockey powerhouses this season. Colonial Athletic Association rivals James Madison University and Old Dominion University have won national championships in the past.
UVA’s junior midfielder Mia Link proved to be the difference, scoring two first-half goals while sophomore forward Abby Taylor added another in the second half for the final margin.
Link’s first goal was the result of being at the right place at the right time. After Katie Phillips’ shot was saved by VCU goaltender Becca Leuzzi (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes High School), Link collected the rebound and put the ball in the cage, just out of the keeper’s reach.
The Rams had several opportunities to score but could not put the ball in the goal.
Seven minutes into the game the Rams drew the first corner and had one of its best scoring chances but the Cavaliers stole the ball and began a counterattack.
The Cavaliers, who have never dropped a game to the Rams, dominated the end of the first half by keeping the ball in VCU territory for most of the final fifteen minutes.
However, the Rams got recharged at halftime and had several scoring chances, but could not convert.
UVA outshot the Rams 18-4 but solid goaltending kept VCU in the game. Leuzzi made five saves in the first half and freshman Laura Baker (Kent, England) tallied three saves in the second half.
Even though the Rams did not match the Cavaliers on the scoreboard, they were able to match their intensity.
“The fact is we need to hustle to be successful,” senior co-captain Tara Worley (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland High School) said. “We played hard, but we can get better.”
Cadwallader, who finished second in the CAA with 11 assists last season, echoed her teammate’s thoughts.
“Its only going to get better from here,” Cadwallader said.
Two reasons why it’s going to get better for the Rams is because injuries have forced the coaches to shuffle the line up, and VCU has a young team that needs time to mesh.
“We have two key injuries to two playmakers, Behrens said. “At anytime during the game we had six freshmen on the field.”
The Rams have seven true freshmen and three red-shirt freshmen on the roster. While they lack experience the veteran players say it’s up to them show the freshmen how to be successful student-athletes at the collegiate level.
“We need to lead by example and be positive,” said Worley, the anchor of the Rams’ defense. “We do not want to be negative.”
The Rams play their first away game of the season at Rutgers on Sunday Sept. 4 and will be looking to come home with their first win.
“We are going to train to win,” Cadwallader said. “If we play hard and communicate better, we can win.”