The No. 7 Virginia field hockey team (16-8) had its season come to a close with a 3-2 loss to No. 14 Princeton (12-7) in the quarterfinals of the 2016 NCAA Field Hockey Championship) on Sunday (Nov. 13) at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex in University Park, Pa.
The game was tied 2-2 in the final seconds of the match and seemed destined for overtime. Princeton’s Sophia Tornetta fired off a shot as time was expiring, but the horn on the scoreboard was inaudible, making it difficult to tell if the shot was taken in time. After the two field referees and the sideline official conferred, it was decided to allow the goal, which sent Princeton on to the NCAA Semifinals next weekend in Norfolk, Va. Video referral was not available during the NCAA Championship.
“I am proud of this team for having such a great season,” said Virginia head coach Michele Madison. “This was a terrible way to lose. The fourth years put their heart and soul out there on the turf. The one solace is that they did finish their careers as ACC Champions.”
Princeton scored its three goals on its only three shots of the game, the first two coming off corners.
Virginia took 13 shots, with freshman Erin Shanahan (Pasadena, Md.) and junior Tara Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) scoring the Cavaliers’ goals, the second of the NCAA Tournament for both players. Sophomores Nikki Freeman (Downington, Pa.) and Laura Schnatmeier (Bad Schwartau, Germany) had assists. Vittese ends her season with a team-high 41 points on 15 goals and 11 assists.
Princeton’s Grace Baylis made six saves for the Tigers.
This was Virginia’s 21st appearance in the NCAA Tournament and the ninth in head coach Michele Madison’s 11 seasons at UVA.
UConn, Delaware and North Carolina will join Princeton in the NCAA Semifinals.
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Chris Graham
