Highlanders Fall to VCU, 2-1

Richmond, Va. - Richmond, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth’s Casey Smith broke a 1-1 tie with her second goal of the game, sending Radford to a 2-1 defeat in field hockey action from Richmond. The Highlanders fall to 1-2, while VCU improves to 3-0.

VCU’s Smith got the Rams on the board first, scoring off an assist from Nicole Sullivan at 24:22 of the first half. Senior Alison Douglass (Springfield, Va.) tied things at one in the first half on a penalty stroke at 11:22. Smith would score the game winner with 20:43 left in the game.

The Highlanders outshot the Rams 11-10 and had the advantage in penalty corners (9-6). Tina Caiazza (Fairfax, Va.) recorded four saves for RU, while Abby Stiles made five for VCU.

Radford return to action on September 12 when they travel to Chapel Hill for a matchup with North Carolina at 7 p.m. The Highlanders host conference foe Appalachian State in their home opener on September 15 at 3 p.m.

RADFORD (1-2) 1 0 -- 1

VCU (3-0) 1 1 -- 2

SCORING SUMMARY

V - 1st – 24:22 – Casey Smith (Nicole Sullivan)

R - 1st – 11:22 – Alison Douglass (Penalty Stroke)

V - 2nd – 20:42 – Smith

Shots at Goal: Radford 11, VCU 10

Penalty Corners: Radford 9, VCU 6

Goalkeeper Saves: Radford – Tina Caiazza 4

Catawba – Abby Stiles 5