Courtesy: Matt Riley / UVa Media Relations Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn

The Virginia field hockey team held Vermont scoreless for the opening 64 minutes while forging a two goal lead, and went on to defeat the previously undefeated Catamounts 2-1 today in Burlington. All-American Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn assisted on the first goal to Traci Ragukas and then scored the second one 16 minutes later off a pass from Sara Confer. Virginia (3-2) drew 10 short corners while holding Vermont (5-1) to just two, both coming in the first half.

The Cavaliers attacked early, drawing a short corner in the opening ten minutes. As the Catamounts tried to work the ball out of the back, Shelley Edmonds stepped up to intercept the clear and gained control before being fouled just outside the circle. Kaars Sijpesteijn sent the free hit into the circle, where Ragukas tipped the offering into the cage for a 1-0 lead at 12:51.

Vermont drew a couple short corners, but Desjadon made a save on a direct shot to keep the 1-0 lead intact.

At the other end of the pitch, an errant transfer for Vermont sailed over the sideline deep in the upper corner. Confer threaded a pass to Kaars Sijpesteijn at the top of the circle, who attacked the cage and shot, scoring at 28:30 for a 2-0 lead that Virginia took into the break.

The Cavaliers held Vermont without a short corner in the second half, but a breakaway led by Danielle Collins led to a scrum in front of the cage, and Kelly McClintock was able to break up the shutout streak that had improved to 161:32.

Virginia returns home to face in-state rivals William & Mary (Sept. 14) and James Madison (Sept. 16). Both games will be held at University Hall Turf Field.

Linescore    1    2    F    (records)
Virginia    2    0    2    (3-2)
Vermont    0    1    1    (5-1)

Scoring summary:
12:51    VA    fg    Ragukas (Kaars Sijpesteijn)    1-0
28:30    VA    fg    Kaars Sijpesteijn (Confer)        2-0
64:51    VM    fg    McClintock (---)            2-1

Keepers: VA: Amy Desjadon (35 mins, 2 saves, 0 GA); Devon Burnley (35 mins, 1 save, 1 GA)
    VM: Kristen Heavens (70 mins, 5 saves, 2 GA)

Shots: VA 9, VM 9
Short corners: VA 10, VM 2