University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
No. 6 Ohio State
Spiders Strike First, Fall to Buckeyes in Strokes
09/03/2011 | Field Hockey
HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Richmond field hockey team was the first to strike on Saturday, but fell to sixth-ranked Ohio State, 2-1, in penalty strokes in a neutral-site matchup at the JMU Field Hockey Complex in Harrisonburg, Va.
"To be tested on so many levels early on in the season will only serve for good," said head coach Gina Lucido. "This Spider team demonstrated a mentality in competition that went beyond my expectations today. The penalty corner defensive unit made was a literal wall to OSU. Anna Zarkoski had an unbelievable performance in goal and held the team through two overtimes. While terribly bittersweet to lose this game, we will go forward with increased determination."
The Spiders got on the board first when freshman midfielder Rebecca Barry delivered a shot to the back of the cage at 19:42 following a penalty corner. Sophomore midfielder Chelsea Davies was credited with the assist on Barry's score, which marked her second of the season.
The team continued to keep the Buckeyes off the board until the final seconds of play when reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year Paul Pastor-Pitarque secured her first score of the fall with 26 ticks left on the clock. The sophomore forward broke away from the Spider backline and blasted a shot from the center of the circle into the back of the cage.
Sophomore goalkeeper Anna Zarkoski shined between the pipes with 16 saves in cage for the Spiders. Barry paced the Richmond offense with a pair of shots, while Davies was dominant on both ends of the field and had two defensive saves on the day.
The Spiders return to the field on Friday at 5 p.m. when they face cross-town rival VCU at the Rams' Cary Street Field.
