University of Richmond
Massachusetts
Despite Loss, Spiders Clinch A-10 Tournament Berth
10/21/2007 | Field Hockey
Oct. 21, 2007
AMHERST, Mass. - A penalty stroke with eight minutes to go in the first half was the only scoring of the afternoon as Massachusetts defeated Richmond 1-0 on Sunday in a first-place showdown.
Despite the loss, the Spiders did earn a spot in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, to be played Nov. 2-3 at Saint Joseph's. Losses by West Chester and La Salle solidified the top four teams in the conference with each team only having one conference game to play. UMass, Temple and Saint Joseph's also clinched bids, making the four-team field set with the seeds still to be determined.
"Today our team had a bittersweet day," Richmond head coach Gina Lucido said. "We executed our game plan and played solid defense. Unfortunately we could not generate attack against their tough defensive play."
Richmond junior goalkeeper Becca Weaver made four saves and narrowly missed a shutout, if not for the penalty stroke converted by Nicole Phelan 27 minutes into the game.
"Becca Weaver came up with some big saves and made a great save attempt on their stroke," Lucido said.
Richmond did have a chance to tie the game with under two minutes remaining when the Spiders were awarded a penalty corner. Sophomore Sarah Blythe-Wood, who leads the team with six goals, blasted a shot from just inside the circle, but Massachusetts' keeper Becky Letourneau made a diving save.
The loss dropped Richmond (5-11, 4-2 Atlantic 10) into second place in the Atlantic 10 for the first time since the 2001 season, when the Spiders finished 2-4 in league play. The Spiders conclude league play next Sunday at home against Saint Louis, after a non-conference match with William & Mary on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
