The No. 16 UVA field hockey team (6-4, 1-1 ACC) earned a 4-0 shutout victory at Fairfield (1-8, 0-0 MAAC) on Sunday (Sept. 25) at University Field in Fairfield, Conn.
Virginia held a 22-7 shot advantage with four different Cavaliers scoring goals. Sophomore goalkeeper Carrera Lucas (Brooklandville, Md.) earned the second shutout of her career, making five saves.
“I am really proud of the team’s effort today,” said Virginia head coach Michele Madison. “The defense was fantastic today. I am extremely please with how they shut down a potent Fairfield attack. I am also proud of our leadership and the way that they got their heads wrapped around the challenges we faced.”
Virginia scored on the first of its eight penalty corners with freshman Erin Shanahan (Pasadena, Md.) converting the opportunity 16 minutes into the game. The Cavaliers did not add to their lead until the second half when junior Tara Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) converted a penalty stroke four minutes after halftime. Senior Lucy Hyams (Whitstable, England) gave the team an insurance goal with six minutes remaining, racing past the defense into the circle and firing off a shot that sailed past the Fairfield goalkeeper. Sophomore Greta Ell (Plains, Pa.) added the fourth goal with 1:10 remaining, knocking in a loose ball in front of the net after an initial shot by Shanahan.
Vittese’s goal was her team-leading fifth of the season. Hyams, who scored the game-winning goal in Fridaynight’s 2-1 overtime victory at No. 9 Boston College, added three points to her team-leading total, with an assist on the first goal.
The Cavaliers will be back home at Turf Field next weekend, hosting No. 14 Wake Forest on Friday, Sept. 30 at 5 p.m., and No. 17 Old Dominion on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. Admission is free for all regular-season UVA home field hockey games.
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Chris Graham
