#8 UVA field hockey drops regular-season finale at Boston U., 2-1

The No. 8 UVA field hockey team (12-7, 4-2 ACC) dropped its final regular-season game of the year at Boston University (10-7, 4-1 Patriot), falling 2-1 on Sunday (Oct. 26).

Freshman midfielder Tara Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) netted Virginia’s lone goal, scoring off a short corner after time had expired. Vittese took five of Virginia’s seven shots, five of which were on goal.

“This was, no doubt, a disappointing way to end the regular season,” said Virginia head coach Michele Madison. “Boston today possessed the ball well and went for field position. If they could get the ball into the circle, they put it in the circle, which is what you need to do if you are going to score. We have some work to do before the postseason. Luckily, we have a bye-week coming up that we are going to need to get regenerated and get on-task.”

Sofi Laurito scored both goals for the Terriers, striking first 20 minutes into the game, driving into the circle and firing a shot past Virginia senior goalkeeper Jenny Johnstone (Paisley, Scotland). Laurto knocked in BU’s second goal with five minutes left in the first half, scoring off a short corner.

Johnstone, who was credited with the decision, played the first half, making one save and allowing both goals. Redshirt sophomore Rebecca Holden (Fishing Creek, N.J.) played the second half, making two saves without allowing a goal. BU’s Valentina Cerda made four saves, including three in the second half.

Boston University held a 10-7 advantage in shots, including outshooting the Cavaliers 5-1 in the first half. Virginia held a 6-5 shot advantage in the second period.

The Cavaliers will be the No. 1 seed at the 2014 Atlantic Coast Conference Field Hockey Championships, being held at Duke University’s Jack Katz Stadium in Durham, N.C., on Thursday, Nov. 6, Friday, Nov. 7, andSunday, Nov. 9. Single-session tickets are available for $5 for adults and $3 for youth, and all-session tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for youth. Students from an ACC school can enter for free with valid student identification.