Field hockey splits at home with Broncs, Minutewomen

Adam Cheek 
Staff Writer

Field hockey added a win and a loss to its record last week in two home games against the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Rider University, respectively. The Black and Gold improved to 7-5 on the season and reached 40 total goals. Their victory against the Minutewomen continued their 4-0 winning streak in A-10 play.

UMass

The Rams took on the UMass-Amherst Oct. 7, their final home match before a two-game road trip. VCU shut out the Minutewomen — freshman goalkeeper Sasha Elliott only needed to save one shot. Senior forward Emily McNamara scored both of VCU’s goals, recording eight total shots, half of those on goal.

The opening half was relatively calm as VCU attempted four shots to Massachusetts’ two. That stalemate quickly concluded once the second half began, as McNamara scored halfway into the 55th minute. Assisted by sophomore midfielder Maite Sturm, McNamara arced a shot into the net from the penalty corner.

McNamara struck again about ten minutes later, as she stole the ball from a UMass defender and took a wide-open shot into the empty net. These two goals were just a pair of the nine total shots racked up by the Black and Gold in the second half, cementing the win for the Rams and keeping the team undefeated in conference play.

Rider

The Oct. 3 matchup against Rider University saw VCU strike early but fall in overtime. The Rams outshot the Broncs 33-9 overall, a staggering offensive advantage for the Black and Gold, but a pair of shots got past Elliott. VCU claimed 14 first-period shots to the Broncs’ lone attempt, with Sturm scoring the Rams’ only goal of the night in the 27th minute.

McNamara totaled 11 shots, five on goal. One of McNamara’s shots deflected right to Sturm, who sailed it past the Broncs goalkeeper on VCU’s sole scoring possession. Broncs freshman midfielder Gianna Morganti deflected a shot attempt past Elliott to tie the match, sending it to overtime.

About eight minutes into extra time, Broncs freshman forward Carly Brosious scored the walk-off goal, sealing a victory for Rider University.

The Rams will meet up with two opponents on the road, playing No. 16 St. Joseph’s University Oct. 12 at 3 p.m., then facing off against La Salle University Oct. 14 at 1 p.m.