University of Richmond
American
Spiders Pluck Eagles in Home-Opener
09/23/2011 | Field Hockey
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND - On a rain-soaked afternoon on the Spiders' newly-turfed Crenshaw Field, the Richmond field hockey team captured a 2-1 win over American behind sophomore Chelsea Davies' golden-goal with just over a minute remaining in overtime.
"To win such a big game in our home-opener is outstanding," said head coach Gina Lucido. "American is an elite team that tested our ability to rise to their level of play. This Spider program matured today as we competed against their constant threat of attack and never cowered to their dominant play. We made a statement in our intention to be in postseason play and as a team on the rise.
The winning score was set up with just over a minute remaining in the overtime when senior forward Katelin Peterson fed Davies a penalty corner at the top of the circle, which she proceeded to drill home on a rocket into the left corner of the cage.
Junior Liesl Schunck secured the first score for the Spiders in the 44th minute. The play opened on a Katelin Peterson penalty corner, which junior Catherine Oistoich set up for Schnuck to blast home and give the Spiders a 1-0 lead heading into the half.
The Eagles responded in the 84th minute when sophomore Alex McMackin flicked a rebounded shot off a penalty corner into the back of the cage from the right side.
American held a 15-8 advantage on shots and edged Richmond, 7-4, on penalty corners in the game.
Sophomore goalkeeper Anna Zarkoski tallied 10 saves in the winning effort, while the Eagles' Stephanie Burry finished with three on the afternoon.
The Spiders return to the pitch on Sunday when they travel to Charlottesville to take on in-state foe Virginia at Noon.
