McNamara nets two hat tricks, Rams roll
Field hockey (12-5, 5-2) kept its resurgent season rolling last week with a pair of victories over Saint Francis University and La Salle University. The Rams edged the SFU Red Flash by a final of 5-4 Friday evening and dominated the Explorers of La Salle Sunday afternoon, 7-0.
La Salle
On Sunday the Black and Gold shut out the La Salle Explorers in the their second home game of the week. VCU came away with the win by a final of 7-0.
Junior forward Emily McNamara shined brightest of everyone on the field.
McNamara got her second hat trick of the week with goals in the 11th, 20th and 48th minutes.
Assisting McNamara in carrying the scoring load was senior forward Jamee Albright, who scored twice herself.
The seventh and final goal of the game was scored by freshman midfielder Svea Strum in the 69th minute. Senior goalkeeper Chessa Kownurko was 3-3 on save attempts en route to helping the Rams secure their sixth shutout of the season.
Saint Francis
VCU started their homestand last week against a conference opponent in the Saint Francis University Red Flash. This matchup pit the fourth and fifth positions in the A-10 field hockey standings against each other.
Senior defender Natalie Bohmke of the Black and Gold scored first in the game, with a goal in the 23rd minute.
Both teams picked the offensive momentum up in the second half after making adjustments by scoring three apiece in the period.
The Red Flash’s Brianna Govia scored the pivotal goal that sent the match into overtime, with just under four minutes remaining in the game.
McNamara scored the game winner for VCU in the 85th minute on a penalty corner.
McNamara of VCU was the star of the night, as she secured a hat trick. McNamara is VCU’s second all-time leading scorer.
VCU had the advantage in shot attempts over Saint Francis. The Rams shot 29 times compared to the Red Flash’s 15 attempts.
The game was an overtime thriller that ended in a victory for the Black and Gold with a final score of 5-4.
The Black and Gold have now won four out of their last five games, only falling to no. 5 the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill last week. The pair of wins gives VCU a 12-5 record on the season and 6-2 in A-10 play, already double their win total from the 2016 season. The Rams have two regular season games remaining — at Saint Louis University on Oct. 27 and home against Longwood University on Oct. 29.
Nile McNair
Contributing Writer
