The VCU field hockey team was happy to see their home field for their match up with Davidson on Sunday after four straight losses on the road.
“(Being back home) was needed. We just needed to get back here and get a good win under our belts,” freshman Kelsey Scherrer (Chesapeake/Cape Henry Collegiate) said.
Scherrer and her teammates celebrated the homecoming in grand fashion, shutting out the Wildcats, 3-0.
“This was a great team win,” VCU coach Kelly McQuade said. “Coming away with a shutout was huge . today we really put it together.”
VCU started quickly, as they have been known to do at home, jumping out to a 1-0 lead just 11 minutes into the game.
The Ram attack moved the ball into the circle and junior Marle Van Dessel (Oisterwijk, The Netherlands/Odulphus Lyceum) found a streaking Scherrer for the freshman’s 10th goal of the season.
The goal broke a two game goal-less streak for the Rams.
Eight minutes later, Van Dessel and her twin sister Flore (Oisterwijk, The Netherlands/Odulphus Lyceum) received their birthday present as Marle was able to poke one past the keeper on a penalty corner.
“We take penalty corners really seriously. We know it is one of our strengths . (a penalty corner) is just a bonus on all our hard work and we are good at finishing them,” Van Dessel said.
The Rams would take advantage of another corner later in the half at the nine-minute mark.
Senior Rachel Krumm (Norfolk/Granby) had her shot blocked and passed the rebound off to a wide -open Scherrer, who then deposited it into the lower corner of the goal for her team leading 11th goal.
After 150 consecutive minutes without a goal, the Rams didn’t even need an entire half to score three. As the teams entered the second half, the Rams’ defense made sure three would be plenty to win on this day.
Coach McQuade was able to rest her starters and give her younger bench a chance to gain experience for the majority of the second stanza.
“Anytime time we can get everybody off the bench and in and have no real lapses in our play is a great, great job,” McQuade said.
The Wildcats had many chances to score in the second, but were not able to penetrate the Ram goal -particularly thanks to the play of back-up keeper Erin Jablonski (Charlottesville/Albemarle).
With the win, the Rams get back over a 500 win percentage on the season at 7-6.
“(We’re) continually trying to break that past few seasons’ mental break down. Mentally for us to get that momentum back . is really going to help us out,” McQuade said.
The Rams are back in action at Cary Street Field on Friday night in another non-conference game against Appalachian State at 4 p.m.