University of Richmond
Rider (NCAA Play-In)
Richmond Tops Rider, 6-0, In NCAA Play-In Match
11/09/2004 | Field Hockey
Nov. 9, 2004
RICHMOND, VA -- Richmond's junior Whitney Wells recorded a pure hat trick on the way to a 6-0 win for the Spider over Rider Tuesday afternoon in Richmond. With the win the Spiders move to 18-2 overall and will now await the NCAA Selection committee's placement in the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Riders ends its season with a record of 18-3.
Richmond got on the board in the 21st minute using the first of its five first-half penalty corners. Junior Holly Cram found the back of the cage for the 29th time this season off a push in from junior Allie Howard and a stick-stop from junior Michelle La Force.
Just three minutes later the Spiders moved their lead to 2-0. Howard attacked up the middle of the field and managed to score on a shot into the crowd of defenders. For Howard it was her third goal in two games and her third point of the afternoon.
Richmond held a 10-4 advantage in shots in the first half and garnered five corners to just two for the Broncs. Rider's keeper, Krysta Bearish, stopped three shots on goal, but allowed two in the first 35 minutes.
The Spiders took control of the second half pouring in four more unanswered scores. Wells began her three-in-a-row feat at the 46:15 mark. The Clayton, Del., native got a deflection off a shot from junior Colleen Wevodau, pushing it under the keeper for the Spiders' third of the game.
On a separate attack, just two minutes later, Wevodau moved the ball from the right up to Cram who then crossed a pass to the top of the circle for Wells to one-time it past Bearish. Wells added her third at the 65:46 mark when she gathered a rebound in front of the net and found the back of the cage.
Freshman Shannon Taylor put the finishing touches on the win using another Richmond penalty corner. Howard and La Force again provided the assists on the Spiders' 23rd goal-off corner this season.
Courtney Bertos, Ally Hunter and Maddy Boulden each recorded two shots for the Broncs, while Stephanie Corrandino made three defensive saves.
Wells was near perfect on the day scoring three goals on only four shots. Cram led the Spiders with eight attempts. Freshman Erin Arthur, Howard, senior Danica Haupt and Taylor all fired two shots for the Spiders. Wevodau, Howard and La Force each contributed two assists in the win and junior goalkeeper Michelle Swartz added another shutout to her current total of 11.
Richmond will now wait to find out their fate in the NCAA Tournament's 16-team field. College Sports Television will exclusively present the first-ever NCAA Field Hockey Championship Selection Show at 7 p.m., Tuesday evening. The show will also be streamed live online at CollegeSports.com.
