Field Hockey season ends at Atlantic 10 Championship
Nine field hockey players earned A-10 honors over the weekend: Emily McNamara, Shannon Pereira, Maite Sturm, Svea Sturm, Sasha Elliott, Janne Wetzel, Mackenzie Williams, Bentley Zabicki, and Litiana Field. Photo by Shayla Bailey.
Andy Riddler
Contributing Writer
Field Hockey defeated UMass 3-2 on its way to the program’s first Atlantic-10 Championship final, but ultimately fell short of the title in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of No. 10 Saint Joseph’s.
Saint Joseph’s
Senior forward Emily McNamara led the Rams with two shots on goal in the final match of her illustrious VCU career. The only other shot on goal for the Rams came from junior midfielder Bentley Zabicki.
Senior defender Joely Helder scored the game winning goal for Saint Joseph’s in the 29th minute off a penalty corner.
VCU had opportunities to score in the 44th minute, with McNamara getting two shots saved off a penalty corner. The Rams’ last golden opportunity came in the 60th minute after Helder received a yellow card for Saint Joseph’s, but VCU was unable to capitalize late in the game.
Freshman goalkeeper Sasha Elliott recorded six saves for VCU. She was named to the All-Championship team for her play over the weekend. Elliott was joined by McNamara, graduate midfielder Shannon Pereira, freshman defender Litiana Field and sophomore midfielder Maite Sturm.
Saint Joseph’s outshot VCU 9-5 overall and 6-3 on goal.
UMass
VCU defeated UMass 3-2 in double overtime as the Rams advanced to their first A-10 Championship match in program history.
McNamara added to her legacy with two goals in the game to give her 27 on the season, the highest total in the nation. McNamara finished with a game-high 10 shots, six of which were on goal.
Pereira got the assist on McNamara’s first goal on a pass to the top of the circle in the ninth minute, putting the Rams on the board early.
Field assisted on McNamara’s second goal following a penalty corner in the 28th minute to give VCU the 2-0 lead as the sides headed to halftime.
UMass came storming back following the halftime intermission, with its first strike scored by sophomore forward Lucy Cooper after she intercepted a VCU pass. The Minutewomen tied the game in the 52nd minute on a rebound by senior forward Courtney Ocasal.
Field sent VCU to the A-10 final with a goal off a penalty corner — assisted by Sturm — in the 82nd minute.
Elliott made six saves for VCU, including one in overtime. Field Hockey ended its season with a 12-7 record, scoring 55 goals on a shot percentage of .632.
