Spiders fail to topple No.1 Northwestern

The University of Richmond field hockey team failed to slay a giant, losing 4-0 to No. 1 Northwestern University on Sunday, Aug. 30 at Crenshaw Field. 

Facing the 2024 National Champions in the second game of the season is a daunting task. The Spiders set out to resolve a 0-3 record against the Wildcats. The last time the two met on the field, Northwestern strolled right over Richmond, beating the Spiders 5-0. 

This loss left UR with another brutal shutout, leaving them with a 1-1 record as the first weekend of the fall season comes to a close. 

The first quarter came to an agonizingly slow start, neither team seemingly able to generate anything. The Spiders tallied nothing: no shots, corners or saves. The game wasn’t looking much sunnier on the other side of the field, the Wildcats only managing two shots and a failed penalty corner. 

Finally, Richmond snapped out of the lull three minutes into the second quarter, senior midfielder Jess McMeeking recording the first shot-on-goal of the game. While a quick save denied Richmond a point, junior goalkeeper Amanda Cimillo immediately answered with a save of her own, keeping a scoreless board.

The Wildcats became relentless, attempting a goal with two back-to-back wide shots. In the 26th minute of play, Northwestern hit home, taking a 1-0 advantage. UR struggled to find opportunities to score, aiming to keep up a tight defense. 

A disastrous third quarter only made things more difficult for the Spiders. Back-to-back goals within the first four minutes of the half left Richmond in a mad scramble to gain some footing. A flurry of shots couldn’t find home, blocks and saves being dished out by the Wildcats left and right. 

“Defensivley, we were very solid,” Head Coach Martu Loncarica said in a postgame press conference. “We stayed in the game for three quarters. I believe they scored a majority in the third quarter. I think that just teaches us that we cannot switch off for one second against the number one team in the country, or any top 10 team."

In the 39th minute of play, Northwestern found the back of the cage yet again, the hot streak progressing. After an exchange of shots, the buzzer gave the Spiders a brief reprieve to gather a new game plan before the final quarter.

The last fifteen minutes of play was all Wildcat action, UR not managing anything until the 56th minute when junior forward Clara Larripa delivered a failed penalty corner. While Northwestern had three corner opportunities and two shots, it couldn’t take advantage either. Instead, they picked up two green cards. 

Hope for a UR victory dwindled as the clock ticked by with no scoring. The Spiders were condemned to their first loss this season as the buzzer rang. 

“The whole point of today was to not give up and stay in the game and to learn about resilience and playing together as a team,” Loncarica said. “I’m incredibly proud of the group. They did to a T.”

While the Spiders couldn’t generate a goal, junior forward Valen Luna Paratore led the attack, tallying five shots-on-goal. The only other player to have a shot on goal was McMeeking. 

Next week, UR will continue to face difficult opponents. The Spiders will seek to improve a 5-18 record against James Madison University at 5 p.m. Friday, Sep. 5 at home before going on the road to face No. 17 Liberty University on Sep. 7. 

Contact sports editor Abigail Finney at abigail.finney@richmond.edu