Spiders Take Down #21 Saint Joe’s, 1-0

Sunday, October 1

Crenshaw Field

12 PM

University of Richmond

(3-8, 2-1A10)

#21 Saint Joseph's

(9-3, 3-1A10)

Saint Joseph's

Richmond

10/01/2017 | Field Hockey

Box Score

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – Playing against the best always brings out the best in the fiercest competitors.

That's exactly what the University of Richmond has done this year, facing off against seven nationally-ranked opponents in the first 11 games of the 2017 season.

The battle-tested Spiders laid it all on the line on Sunday at Crenshaw Field, taking down #21 Saint Joseph's, 1-0, in Atlantic 10 play. The Hawks are the defending regular season champions from a year ago.

It was the Spiders' first win over a nationally-ranked program since Oct. 20, 2015 when they beat UMass, 2-1, at Crenshaw Field.

Junior Felicitas Heinzel was outstanding in the cage, turning away 10 shots for her eighth double-digit save performance of the year. It was her first shutout as a Spider and sixth of her collegiate career.

Senior Hannah Thomson was the goal scorer on the day, tallying her first of the season to lead the Spiders to the win.

It was a defensive battle from the start with Richmond's press causing problems for the potent Hawks offense, who had scored 13 goals in their previous three games.

Heinzel stood on her head a couple times in the first half, racking up seven saves prior to halftime and sending the teams into the break at 0-0.

Less than three minutes into the second half, senior Kasey Gilbride made a move inside the circle and drew a penalty stroke. That's when Thomson stepped up and deposited her goal into the back of the cage for a 1-0 lead.

From there, the Spiders defense went to work, allowing just seven shots the rest of the way and turning away four penalty corners in the second half to hold on for the first shutout of the season.

Richmond hits the road next weekend for a Friday evening showdown at Davidson. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.