VCU wins on penalty shot in overtime

Down to seven versus seven from the normal 11 each, overtime was needed Wednesday to decide the outcome of these in-state rivals in field hockey for the second year in a row. Unlike last year, however, this final score did not favor the University of Richmond.

On a controversial call with five minutes to go in overtime, Virginia Commonwealth University senior co-captain Flore van Dessel was awarded a penalty shot and converted with a rocket into the left corner of the net to give VCU the 2-1 win.

"It came down to VCU getting a great opportunity and they capitalized," Richmond coach Gina Lucido said. "We were playing well in overtime, but the longer a game goes on, the more opportunities there are for a team to counterattack and all it takes is one good run."

After a rough first half that left the Spiders down 1-0 on a goal from Flore's twin sister Marle van Dessel (assisted by Arialle Hess), the Spiders came out strong in the second to tie it up. Off a corner taken by reigning Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week Katelin Peterson, the ball bounced around for a bit until sophomore Catherine Ostoich gained control and fed it to freshman Christina Amorose for the equalizer in the 44th minute.

"I felt like our team was playing with no passion out there in the first half," Lucido said. "They seemed like they were playing to not seize the opportunity. Luckily, we came out much stronger in the second half, but the difference is VCU played for 70 minutes and we didn't."

VCU almost regained the lead as quickly as it had lost it, having multiple opportunities in the Richmond box minutes later including a shot that needed a diving save from sophomore goalkeeper Ann Jefferis during the 51st minute off a shot from Marle van Dessel.

After surviving that barrage, though, the Spiders looked very much in control through the end of regulation and into the start of overtime, keeping the ball on the Rams' side consistently.

"We had a slow start, but came out strong in the second and brought it in overtime," senior defender Michelle Weaver said. "We could've won, we just fell short today."

Next, the Spiders will have to turn their attention towards No. 5 ranked Princeton, who will come into town on Friday.

"Princeton will be fun," sophomore Liesl Schnuck said. "They're always top-five and in the national spotlight, but we were able to frustrate them a little last year, so I'm excited."

Notes:

The loss leaves Richmond at 3-2, breaking its 3 game win streak

This is VCU's first overtime win in its last ten tries.

The Spiders outshot the Rams 3-1 in the first, but were outshot 6-1 in the second

Contact reporter David Weissman at david.weissman@richmond.edu