Field hockey: Foust OT goal sends UVA to ACC Finals

Senior Caleigh Foust (Bryn Mawr, Pa.) tipped in a pass from junior Tara Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) in the second minute of overtime to propel sixth-seeded UVA past seventh-seeded Wake Forest, 3-2, in the semifinals of the 2016 ACC Field Hockey Championship.

Virginia (14-7) will face fifth-seeded North Carolina in the ACC Championship game on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Shortly after the start of extra time, Vittese found space in the defense and went one-on-one with Cat O’Connor, the Wake Forest goalkeeper. Vittese found a slashing Foust, who tipped in the pass for the game winner. The goal was the ninth of the season and third in the tournament for Foust.

“This is a great feeling, to be going to the ACC Championship game,” said Virginia head coach Michele Madison. “The team has worked hard for this. It was one of their primary goals. Today was a total team grind against a difficult game plan. When we could get the ball to space, we were able to attack. Wake Forest did a good job of shutting down the ball carrier and marking the people up field. Once we could get it to space, we were finally able to sustain an attack.”

Sophomore Izzy McDonough (Kennett Square, Pa.) started the scoring for the Cavaliers in the 24th minute, knocking in a rebound to even the match, 1-1. After the Deacons scored and held the lead for 20 minutes, Vittese evened the game with 14 minutes remaining following a corner.

Sophomore forward Jule Grashoff scored both goals for the Deacons (11-8), giving her 16 for the season.

The Cavaliers held a 14-6 edge in shots and a 5-2 penalty corner advantage.  Virginia’s Lucas recorded two saves, while O’Connor finished with five.

This will be the Cavaliers’ seventh ACC Championship final appearance and their first since 2009. Virginia is looking for its first-ever ACC Tournament championship.

Sunday’s game will be broadcast to a national television audience on the channels of the ACC Regional Sports Networks. The game will also be streamed live online on the ESPN3/WatchESPN platforms. Live stats will be available through the ACC Tournament Central website with links to all of these amenities posted on VirginiaSports.com.

2016 ACC Field Hockey Championship single tickets are $5 (Thursday and Friday tickets are good for all games that are played that day). Children 18 and under get in for free; all others need a ticket.