Spiders Down Lafayette In Home Opener, 4-2

Friday, August 31

Crenshaw Field

3PM

University of Richmond

(1-2)

Lafayette

(0-2)

Lafayette

Richmond

08/31/2018 | Field Hockey

Box Score

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Richmond field hockey team took a commanding 3-0 lead into the break and added a security tally in the second half on its way to a 4-2 home opening win over visiting Lafayette on Friday afternoon.

"It feels great to get this win, especially in our home opener," head coach Jamie Montgomery said after the win. "I was very happy with our offensive performance in the first half. Coming out and scoring the opening four goals of the game was important for us, and we managed to hold of Lafayette in the closing minutes when they really picked up the pressure."

The win marks Montgomery's first with the Spiders, as well as first as a head coach.

Neither team managed a shot in the opening minutes, but the Spiders took control midway through the opening stanza with two goals in under a minute.

Elise Zwicklbauer scored her second goal of the season in the 15^th minute, beating the Lafayette goalie on the near post for the unassisted score. Just 42 seconds later, rookie Addie Nash scored her first career goal on an assist from Cadera Smith to make it 2-0.

The hosts would not back down, as Smith then scored on a backhanded shot in the 26^th minute on an assist from Emmy Bowe.

The two teams went scoreless over the final nine minutes of the half. Richmond held a 9-1 shot advantage in the first 35 minutes and entered halftime with the momentum.

Rookie Jessica Hendry used that momentum to score her first career goal just over ten minutes into the second half. Abra Granger assisted Hendry on the play for her first career point.

The Leopards took the momentum from there, scoring the games' final two goals and attempting 10 second-half penalty corners. Spider goalkeeper Emily Braunewell had another standout day, allowing two goals but saving 11 other Lafayette shots.

"I was very impressed with Emily's play today, especially in the second half," Montgomery added. "Our corner defense was clutch in securing the win."

The Spiders return to action this Sunday, September 2, when they travel to face another Patriot League foe in Bucknell. Game time in Lewisburg, Pa., is set for 12 p.m.