It looked gloomy for the Virginia field hockey team in its matchup this past Sunday against James Madison. The Hoos trailed 2-1 for nearly 37 minutes of the game to the Dukes. With just over four minutes of action left, the Cavaliers decided to sub out goalie Tyler Kennedy and push the attack with an empty net. This aggressive approach by coach Michele Madison paid off, as the Hoos rallied and outlasted the Dukes in overtime.
With a full offensive look, the Hoos began to find their groove again. In the first quarter, they had barraged James Madison’s Brandelynn Heinbaugh with 7 total shots. However, Heinbaugh held her own, saving 4 and allowing only 1 goal. This goal came from Lilly Hengerer, her first of her career. After this, the Cavaliers only recorded 1 shot in each of the second and third quarters. In the fourth, Virginia was still unable to find its footing and efficiently attack the Dukes’ defense as the clock ticked closer to zero. In the meantime, JMU had put in 2 goals of its own.
With no goalie, Virginia quickly put James Madison in a jam on the attack. Just under three minutes after subbing Kennedy off with 1:33 left in regulation, UVA junior Anneloes Knol battled for a loose ball against two Dukes before passing it to sophomore Noa Boterman. She fired her shot through the legs of Heinbaugh and into the bottom corner of JMU’s net to finally even the game at 2-2. With this goal, the Hoos and Dukes were both heading into their first overtime game of the year.
In OT, the Dukes had little answer for the Cavaliers’ reignited offense. Five and a half minutes into the extra period, senior Adele Iacobucci connected with senior Laura Janssen for the golden goal and allowed Virginia to finish the weekend unbeaten (the team beat Temple 1-0 on Friday).
Pulling Kennedy out was a risky move by Madison, but it shifted the momentum of the game. It provided a spark that Virginia needed, and it overwhelmed James Madison’s defense. The Cavaliers still applied more pressure throughout the game with a 14-8 shot advantage (8-4 shots on goal advantage). Again, this came back to Heinbaugh’s goalkeeping that put the Cavaliers in the ruts and put them in a hole. When Boterman slotted the tying goal past her, there was a sense of relief from Virginia, and the offense propelled it to the win. This is what having a coach like Madison can do for a team, as late-game adjustments to the game plan can alter the game’s result.
One storyline during the preseason was how Madison was going to replace the production of Amber Ezechiels, Makayla Gallen, and Rachel Robinson. Some familiar faces have come out hot early. Janssen, who was second on the team in points in 2021 (12), is already at 8 points (4 goals). The striker has been the focal point of the offense, as evidenced by her goal in the season opener against Penn State and 2 goals against Delaware.
The Cavaliers have gotten a boost from some of their younger players too. Along with Janssen’s scoring ability, Boterman has also been an attacking threat, scoring 2 goals and compiling 4 points. Despite starting in all 21 games last year, Jans Croon only recorded 1 point (an assist against Wake Forest). Known for her defensive prowess, the sophomore has become more of a dual-threat player this season, recording a goal and 2 assists through the first four games. Freshman Daniela Mendez-Trendler was a 2021 MAX Field Hockey First Team High School All-American, and she has played an integral part to the early Cavalier success. Although she has only started two of four games, Mendez-Trendler has already made her mark with a goal and an assist.
So far, this squad has answered the call with a 3-1 record. The Hoos were defeated by No. 11 Penn State, but each of their last three games have shown a different side to this Virginia group. Against No. 17 Delaware, the Blue Hens struck first, but it was all Virginia from midway in the second forward in a 4-1 win. The Cavaliers held off a pesky Temple unit for a 1-0 win, and the comeback win over the Dukes exhibited their resilience.
The win over Delaware may seem important since it was over a ranked opponent, but it can be argued that these last two have been just as, if not more, important. All nine losses last season, after all, came by one-goal margins, including defeats in the ACC Championship Game and the NCAA Tournament opener. Coming out on the winning end of tight, gritty games bodes well for a team with tournament aspirations. Overall, the Cavaliers have garnered some confidence over the past two weekends before an even tougher slate begins.
Virginia will return to action and travel to Evanston to battle the defending National Champion and top-ranked Northwestern Wildcats (4-0) on Sunday. The Wildcats have thrashed their opponents, all being top-25 teams, and have outscored them 17-2. This matchup will take place at 12 p.m., and it will give fans a better idea as to where the Cavaliers stand amongst the top teams in the country.
Nice write-up. Thanks.