Rams suffer first A-10 defeat this season
Photo by Teresa Bricker
Noah Fleischmann
Staff Writer
Field Hockey split its two-game schedule this past week with an overtime win over La Salle and a road loss to St. Joseph’s.
La Salle
The Rams (8-6, 5-1 Atlantic 10 Conference) defeated the Explorers on the road in overtime behind senior forward Emily McNamara’s game-winning goal off a penalty corner.
VCU took an early lead in the 15th minute as freshman defender Litiana Field found the back of the net off a pass from sophomore midfielder Maite Sturm. Field’s goal was her fourth of the season.
La Salle tied the game in the 31st minute as Chloe Lucky scored on a penalty corner.
The second half was scoreless, but the Rams outshot the Explorers 6-1 in the period. VCU also held a 6-1 edge in penalty corners in the second half.
McNamara’s overtime goal was her 20th tally of the season, extending her Atlantic 10 lead in goals to four more than the second-highest scorer. She recorded eight shots in the win, five on goal.
Freshman goalie Sasha Elliott recorded two saves of three shots on goal.
St. Joseph’s
The Black and Gold fell 3-1 to No. 13 St. Joseph’s Oct. 12 on the road, handing the Rams their first A-10 loss of the season.
VCU fell behind early as the Hawks found the back of the net in the 18th minute off a penalty corner from Joely Helder.
The Hawks scored again in the 46th minute as Emily Henry put a shot home for St. Joseph’s.
Sturm prevented the Rams from being held scoreless for the first time this season, as she scored on a loose ball in the circle in the 58th minute. The tally was Sturm’s seventh of the season and second in three games.
St. Joseph’s added the final goal of the game in the 65th minute from Anna Willocks, pushing the Hawks lead to two goals.
McNamara recorded only recorded one shot in the loss despite leading the team in goals on the season with 19.
The Rams continue their stay at home, going up against A-10 opponents Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. followed by a match against Wake Forest University Oct. 21 at noon.
