University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
American
Field Hockey Drops Season Opener To American, 3-1
08/27/2005 | Field Hockey
Aug. 27, 2005
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond's field hockey squad suffered its first loss at home since the 2003 season, falling to the American Eagles, 3-1, in front of 211 fans. The loss at Crenshaw Field drops the Spiders to 0-1 on the season, while the Eagles start their season with a 1-0 mark.
American, an NCAA Tournament team in 2004, took an early lead after a misplay in the back by Richmond. The Spiders' attempt to clear an American attack gave AU's Irene Schickhardt a good look at Spider keeper senior Michelle Swartz. Swartz was able to make Schickhardt struggle, but eventually gave up the go ahead goal at the 1:20 mark.
American went on to record six more shots, while Richmond had to play defense for most of the first half. The Spiders were awarded three corners, just as many as American, but failed to get a shot off during all three attempts.
In the second half, American's Javiera Villagra used one of the Eagle's four corners to make the score 2-0 at the 41:09 mark. Just over five minutes later Villagra gave her team an insurance goal at the 46:36 point. She moved through traffic at the top of the circle then fired a shot to the bottom left past Swartz.
Held without a shot, Richmond went on the attack and got on the board. Senior Whitney Wells and sophomore Shannon Taylor used a scuffle at the top of the circle to score the Spiders first goal of the season on Richmond's only shot of the game. For Wells it was the 26th goal of her career and the assist for Taylor was the fourth of her career.
The Spiders return to action Sunday, Aug. 28, when they host Radford at 1 p.m. at Crenshaw Field The Highlanders will be opening their 2005 season.
