University of Richmond
Temple
Thompson's Third-Straight Game Winner Leads Spiders Over Temple
10/19/2008 | Field Hockey
Oct. 19, 2008
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Junior Megan Thompson scored the game-winning goal for the third-straight game as the Richmond field hockey team knocked Temple out of first place with a 3-2 Senior Day victory on Sunday at Crenshaw Field.
Thompson scored her fifth goal in the last three games in helping the Spiders to their third-straight win. She scored both goals in a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Saint Joseph's on Friday and also netted the game-tying and game-winning goals in a 3-2 victory over VCU on Wednesday.
The Spiders were leading 2-1 when Thompson struck with 10:53 remaining Sunday, but after Temple was awarded and converted a penalty stroke with 2:29 left, Thompson's goal turned out to be the game winner.
"Megan is such a spark," Richmond head coach Gina Lucido said. "You will not meet a harder worker, she is such a passionate young woman. Megan earns every bit of the success that she is getting. When she is on, she's unstoppable as evidenced by the last week of play here."
"They've all been really good team goals, I wouldn't be able to get them if it wasn't for my teammates working the ball up to the attacking end," Thompson said. "I've been lucky to just be there to finish it for my team."
Thompson's goal was the 21st of her career, which ties her for 10th on the school's all-time list. She also had an assist in the game to give her 48-career points. That ranks 12th on Richmond's all-time list, one point behind senior Alex Malatesta and two points out of the 10th spot.
Richmond senior goalkeeper Becca Weaver made all seven of her saves in the second half to preserve the victory.
"Becca just really found her rhythm, she was a presence, she just owned that circle and made some very key saves to boast her team to a big win," Lucido said. "I'm so thrilled for Alex Malatesta, Becca and Sarah (Schrott), that they were able to contribute in significant ways today."
Richmond got on the scoreboard 12:57 into the match when junior Sarah Blythe-Wood scored her sixth goal of the season on a penalty corner. Junior Jess Weidner and Thompson had assists. The Spiders dominated play in the first half, out-shooting the Owls 14-3 during the period, but Temple was able to tie the game in the 23rd minute when Stephanie McGinty redirected a shot into the back of the cage.
Richmond quickly regained the lead when freshman Katelin Peterson knocked in her sixth goal of the season in the 27th minute, redirecting a shot by sophomore Hannah Hess.
The Spiders maintained the 2-1 lead over Temple (7-9, 3-1 A10) until Thompson's goal gave Richmond some breathing room with 10:53 to play.
After a streak of playing seven of eight games against ranked opponents, Richmond has now rattled off three-straight victories to improve to 6-9 overall and 2-1 in Atlantic 10 play.
"We're on our way," Lucido said. "The tough schedule at beginning of the season is paying off and this team realizes that they can be warriors out there."
The Spiders return to action next Friday at La Salle at 3:30 p.m.
