Coming off out-of-conference victories over Davidson and Appalachian State, the VCU field hockey team had one more non-CAA match before heading back into conference play this weekend.
The opponent Tuesday night was cross-town rival Richmond, who beat the Rams in their last meeting a year ago.
The loss could not be avenged as VCU lost its eighth consecutive overtime match, 3-2.
“What’s unfortunate is that we had the win (if not for) ten minutes and a lapse in play, that’s all it takes for any team to come back,” said VCU coach Kelly McQuade.
Although the Rams were mostly dominated on the stat sheet, they jumped on the score board first.
Just 13 minutes into the game, VCU scored on a penalty corner as junior Marle Van Dessel slapped the ball into the left side of the goal. Hannah Lyerly was credited with the assist, her team-leading seventh.
It was the Rams’ ninth goal off a penalty corner this season, they only had three in 2008.
“It is so key to capitalize when you can . that’s always been our strong point, we have some pretty good threats on our attack,” McQuade said.
The teams would play almost 39 minutes until another goal was scored.
VCU would capitalize on yet another opportunity as they got their second penalty corner goal on the evening.
Van Dessel scored again receiving a pass from Kelsey Scherrer who originally got the pass off the corner. The goal tied Van Dessel for the team lead, now at 11.
Despite lop-sided possession that favored Richmond, VCU found itself up 2-0 and needed to get through the final 17 minutes to win their ninth game of the season.
But the Spiders were just getting started.
Richmond would score two goals in the final seven minutes to send the game into overtime. The first came for Megan Thompson.
The second Richmond goal ironically came off a penalty corner, as Hannah Hess received the pass to the left side of the box and creeped a ball through the path of Ram defenders.
A demoralized VCU team prepared to play overtime.
“(We) were just angry, and rightfully so, and just trying to get each other fired up . (and) channel those emotions, I didn’t see it affect anybody too negatively they were just ready to go,” said McQuade.
The first overtime was dominated again by Richmond, and the Spiders would have fisnished off VCU in the golden goal session if not for two spectacular saves by freshman keeper Megan Botteri.
“She (Botteri) played a phenomenal game,” said McQuade. She had some key saves at key moments to keep us in the game.”
But as the game crossed into double overtime, the VCU effort would prove to be fleeting as Richmond finally was able to break through.
With only 5:45 left before the teams went to penalty strokes, Thompson broke away from the Ram defense during a two on one break away. She was able to put it past Botteri to clinch the win for Richmond.
VCU (8-7, 1-4) must let the pin of the loss go, according to McQuade, because the team has to get prepared for a return to CAA play.
The Rams play Old Dominion on Friday night at Cary Street Field.