Oct. 20, 2006
Charlottesville, Va - The Stanford field hockey team put together a valiant, courageous effort on Friday against tenth-ranked Virginia, but a quick Cavalier one minute into overtime spelled defeat for the Cardinal, 3-2, on Virginia's home field.
The Cavaliers jumped to an early 1-0 lead at 7:36 on a goal by Mia Link. However, the Cardinal evened the match seven minutes later as a ball coming out of the defense was tipped at midfield and laid forward to Rachel Mozenter, who collected it at the 25 yard line, gained the circle, and shot the ball to the far post where it went in the side boards for the equalizer at 14:45. The teams entered halftime tied at 1-1.
Virginia had possession to start the second half and drew a corner in the first minute of play, but Stanford's Madison Bell, who had eight saves in the game, made the save to keep the game tied at 1-1. The Cavaliers, however, capitalized on their second corner of the half. The initial shot was blocked, but Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn controlled the ball and sent it over to Lindsay O'Bannon, who crossed the ball to Erin Hayes for the go-ahead goal at 43:20. But again Stanford fought back against the tenth-ranked Cavaliers. An attack up the left side of the field by Stanford's leading scorer, Jess Zutz, sprung Jamie Hais in the middle. Hais took Zutz' cross and put it in the cage at 45:37 for the equalizer. Stanford head coach Lesley Irvine cheered as she witnessed the All-American type effort.
"The goal that Jess and Jamie connected on was one of the best goals I have ever seen in college field hockey," said Irvine. "It was thrilling to see them perform at that level of skill."
Virginia kept on the attack through the remainder of regulation, but Stanford's Madison Bell stopped all five shots to send the game into the extra session.
However, Virginia gained control of the ball seconds into overtime. Traci Ragukas drove the baseline and fired a shot to the far boards, ending the emotional game at 71:05. Stanford fought hard to the end, but just fell short. Head coach Lesley Irvine was impressed with the team's effort throughout the game.
"This team has talent, perseverance and heart," said Irvine. "They are so much fun to work with. Our strength is our diversity and depth at each position. We don't have star players; we play well as a team. I never know who is going to score from one week to the next. Virginia is a top-10 team and I am very encouraged by what happened out there on the field tonight."
Stanford travels to Longwood College on Sunday (1:00 p.m. et) and Radford College on Monday (1:00 p.m. et) for a pair of NorPac games.
"This team is focused on the conference tournament and winning it this year," said Irvine. "We are proving in games such as tonight that we are more than capable of competing with the best."
ot
Stanford (6-9)110=2
Virginia (11-4)111=3
Stanford Scoring
14:45 by Rachel Mozenter (unassisted)
45:37 by Jamie Hais (assist to Jess Zutz)
Virginia Scoring
7:36 by Mia Link (unassisted)
43:30 by Erin Hayes (assist to Lindsay O'Bannon)
71:05 by Traci Ragukas (assist to Sara Confer)
Goalie Saves
Madison Bell (S) - 7
Katherine Blair (V) - 0
Shots
Stanford - 2
Virginia - 12
Penalty Corners
Stanford - 0
Virginia - 6