The No. 12 UVA field hockey team (8-4, 2-1 ACC) earned a 2-0 shutout victory over No. 14 Old Dominion (6-4, 2-1 Big East) on Sunday (Oct. 2) at University Hall Turf Field in Charlottesville, Va.
Senior Riley Tata (Virginia Beach, Va.) scored the Cavaliers’ first goal, knocking in a cross from junior Tara Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.)8:19 into the game. Vittese gave the Cavaliers their second goal 10 minutes into the second half after she converted a penalty stroke.
The Cavaliers’ defense earned their third shutout of the season while holding ODU to zero shots on goal. The Monarchs had four penalty corners and took three shots in the game, but one was blocked, one sailed high and one went wide.
“Credit to our defense who worked really well together to deny the big ball, which took away part of Old Dominion’s game,” said Virginia head coach Michele Madison. “Our players showed their experience in their poise playing against this very tough opponent. I am very pleased with the outcome.”
Vittese’s goal and an assist brings her career point total to 106, moving her past Cheryl Gleason (1981-84) and into 10th place on the UVA career points list. Vittese is now 2-for-2 in penalty strokes this season and 11-for-11 in her career.
This was the first time this season Old Dominion had been shut out in a game. The Monarchs, who are tied for second place in the Big East, came into the contest averaging 2.33 goals per game on 7.9 shots and 5.2 shots-on-goal per contest.
Sophomore goalkeeper Carrera Lucas (Brooklandville, Md.) improved to 6-2 on the season and is credited with her third shutout of the year after previously blanking Princeton and Fairfield.
Virginia will be back on the road next weekend, playing at No. 2 North Carolina on Friday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. The Cavaliers next home game will be on Saturday, Oct. 15 when they host No. 3 Syracuse.
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Chris Graham
