Spiders on 3-game losing streak after falling to No. 17 Liberty University

The University of Richmond field hockey team couldn’t handle the Flames, falling 4-2 to Liberty University on Sept. 7 in Lynchburg, Va. 

This stumble marks the third loss in a row for the Spiders, UR not tallying a victory since the first game of the season. Liberty, however, has been on a hot streak. Before facing the Spiders, the Flames recorded wins over No. 5 Duke University and James Madison University. 

Richmond’s first game on the road started with a bang, senior midfielder Jess McMeeking immediately applying pressure with a shot-on-goal 23 seconds into the contest. The Flames were more than ready, saving the shot before getting a penalty corner opportunity in the fourth minute of play. 

Liberty took advantage, generating a goal from the corner and putting early points on the board. That would be the last and first goal of the quarter, both teams trying to settle into the game with an onslaught of substitutions occurring until the buzzer. 

The Flames out-shot Richmond 5-1 in the second quarter, but the Spiders made it work. In the 24th minute of play, UR tied the game with a penalty kick goal by first-year midfielder Amy Stripling. Liberty answered with 3 shots of its own, but found the Spiders ready to save and block the attempts. 

Determined to once again take the lead, the Flames found the back of the cage as the end of the first neared. With little time to spare, Richmond tried and failed to catch up before the break. 

Richmond had an early chance at a penalty corner, but the Spiders were blocked by a defensive save. The Flames immediately turned around with a shot, but Richmond made a save of its own, hanging on to the small score gap. 

In the 35th minute, a corner came to fruition for Liberty, the score hopping to 3-1 and causing Spider fans to take nervous glances at the scoreboard. Both teams formed tense defensive strategies, neither managed to generate anything until the Flames tied off the third quarter with a blocked shot. 

Things only got more grim for Richmond as Liberty took advantage of a penalty corner, bringing the score to 4-1. The Spiders were not discouraged, determined to fight until the very end. Despite swapping shots and penalty corners, the score remained the same. 

Finally, the sun peaked from behind the clouds. A steal by junior forward Valen Luna Paratore put the Spiders bolting down the field. In the circle, Paratore scored on a reverse from the left side with only five minutes left in the game. 

In one final push, junior forward Clara Larripa attempted a goal, but the shot went wide. The final seconds ticked up before the clock finally hit zero, the Spiders falling to 1-2 for the season and Liberty improving to 3-0. 

As desperation for a victory continues to build, Richmond will continue to battle through to the next weekend. Coming next for the Spiders: Georgetown University. The Bulldogs are 2-2 this fall, and UR boasts a 7-1 record against the team. 

Richmond will be back on its home turf on Friday, Sept. 12 to face Georgetown at 3:00 p.m. before venturing to Norfolk, Va. Sunday, Sept. 14 to face Old Dominion University. 

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