University of Richmond
*Rhode Island
No. 20 Field Hockey Uses Huge Second Half To Beat Rhode Island, 8-0
10/09/2005 | Field Hockey
Oct. 9, 2005
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The 20th-ranked Richmond Spider field hockey squad used a seven goal second-half effort to top Rhode Island, 8-0, Sunday at Crenshaw Field. The win, Richmond's second-straight in 2005, helped up the Spiders overall mark to 7-5 and 2-0 in the A-10. The loss was the second-straight for the Rams and dropped them to 5-7 overall and 0-2 in the conference. Richmond also extended its two A-10 win streaks, which include a now-21 game win streak in regular season conference games and 26 straight wins against A-10 opponents.
The Spiders, who outshot the Rams in the first half, 13-2, did not post their first goal of the game until late in the opening period. Richmond garnered one of its three first-half corners in the 33rd minute, which led to the goal. Sophomore Erin Arthur came up with the shot on assists from seniors Michelle La Force and Lesley Russell.
The entire Richmond squad tookover in the second half, outshooting the Rams, 23-4, and garnering seven corners to just one for Rhode Island. Twelve minutes into the second half senior Whitney Wells provided the spark with a goal off corner. Sophomore Shannon Taylor and La Force were in on the assists.
Six minutes later, in the 54th minute of play, junior Heather Wrublesky scored her first goal of the season on a redirect of Wells' initial shot. Senior Allie Howard put Richmond in front 4-0 in the 56th minute with another penalty corner goal. Taylor then got into the scoring act when she took a rebound, one of M.J. Britt's 19 saves on the day, and found the back of the cage at the 58:02 mark. Just 24 seconds later Wells knocked home her second goal of the game off an assist from senior Emma Bradley.
Wells again upped her season total in goals with her sixth, and third of the game, at the 62:01 mark when she took the ball on a breakaway. Her initial shot was stopped, but not secured. She gathered the rebound and sent her third goal of the game to the back of the cage. Howard put the finishing touches on the game when she used assists from Arthur and La Force for her fifth goal of the season and second in the game.
Senior Michelle Swartz notched her third shutout of the season and 31st of her career, facing only two shots and turning them both away.
Richmond will play its final two home games next weekend when it welcomes Saint Joseph's and Temple to Crenshaw Field. Game time against the Hawks of St. Joe's is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., Oct. 14. Richmond will celebrate its eight seniors in a noon gametime against the Owls, Oct. 16.
