Highlanders Blanked by 18th Ranked Virginia

Charlottesville, Va. – Radford University (3-6) fell 5-0 to 18th-ranked University of Virginia (6-4) in field hockey action. The Cavaliers used a pair of goals by Allie Flynn and Shannon La Vigne as well as a pair of assists from Sara York and Rosemary Walker to pick up the win. The Highlanders' offense was also held at bay by Cav keepers Emily White and Logan Carr who combined for the shutout, with White recording 10 of the 11 saves. box score

The Cavaliers got on the board first after an offensive flurry at the other end in which Radford earned the first two short corners of the game, both of which were turned away by the Cavalier defense. York controlled a pass at the 25 and sent the ball to Katie Nicholson in the circle. Nicholson shot the ball past the outstretched pads of the Radford keeper eight minutes into the contest, giving the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead that they would not relinquish. Virginia's defense held strong as White spoiled several scoring opportunities with eight saves in the period as the Hoos clung to one goal lead at the break.

The Cavaliers would explode for four goals in the second half. Nicholson got things going when she brought the ball into the circle and drew a corner. On the play, La Vigne's shot the ball to the cage was tipped by Flynn into the boards for her first career goal, which came five minutes into the second half and gave the Cavaliers a 2-0 lead.

Nine minutes later Walker intercepted a Radford pass and got the ball to Kelli Hill to took the ball upfield and sent it to Anderson, who took the ball into the circle and drew a short corner. Off the play the ball came loose to Flynn, who slammed it to the back of the boards for a 3-0 lead with just over 20 minutes to play.

Just one minute later, Anderson started the next goal with a takeaway on the sideline and a pass up to York, who drew a corner in the circle. York inserted the ball to Walker, who flipped it over to La Vigne who buried the ball in the far side boards for Virginia's fourth goal of the game. La Vigne closed out the scoring at 63:43.

Jammie Hillian (Fredericksburg, Va.) led the Highlanders with six shots, while Marie Petran (Norfolk, Va.) added four. Tina Caiazza (Fairfax, Va.) made eight saves for RU.

The Highlanders travel to Baltimore, Md. on Saturday when they face Towson at 1 p.m.

Linescore 1 2 F
Radford 0 0 0
Virginia 1 4 5

Scoring summary

7:58 VA fg Nicholson (York) 1-0
40:14 VA fg Flynn(La Vigne) 2-0
49:08 VA pc Flynn 3-0
50:56 VA pc La Vigne (Walker) 4-0
63:43 VA pc La Vigne (Walker/York) 5-0

Keepers: VA: White (55:30 minutes, 10 saves, 0 GA); Carr (14:30 mins, 1 save, 0 GA)
RU: Caiazza (51 minutes, 9 saves, 4 GA); Dietz (19 minutes, 1 save, 1 GA)

Shots: VA 18, RU 13
Short corners: VA 8, RU 5