September 25, 2009

RAMS FALL TO DELAWARE IN TOUGH OVERTIME LOSS, 3-2
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – For the third consecutive year, the Virginia Commonwealth University field hockey team battled the Fightin’ Blue Hens of Delaware into overtime.

Unfortunately for the Rams (5-2), all three games have resulted in a victory for the team for the First State. Friday night, Delaware (6-2) scored 47 seconds into overtime to pick up a 3-2 win.

The Rams came out strong, dominating most of the first half, scoring their first goal in the 11th minute of the game, when Marle van Dessel (thjkfdjkbfa, The Netherlands) put the ball behind Delaware keeper, Noelle Diana, during a penalty corner, assisted by Hannah Lyerly (Williamsburg, Va.).

“Coming into the first half we were able to set the tone and gain momentum, putting them on their heels,” said Head Coach Kelly McQuade.

The Rams were able to hold the game at 1-0 for most of the first half, but at in the 29th minute Delaware’s Casey Howard was able to capitalize on a corner and sneak one past VCU keeper Megan Botteri  (Mount Bethal, Pa.). Botteri posted six saves for the game.

The first half would end with score tied at 1-1.

“For some reason, we lost some of our momentum in the beginning of the second half,” said McQuade.

With Delaware setting the pace for the majority of the second half, Rae Everson of the Blue Hens scored an unassisted goal from the top of the circle, in the 43rd minute of the game, to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage.

But VCU wasn’t done yet, when Lindsey Jones (Springfield, Va.) made a counter attack inside Delaware’s defense.  Jones was able find Kelsey Scherrer (Chesapeake, Va.) at the top of the circle.  Scherrer put a high ball over Delaware’s keeper to even the score at 2-2 on her seventh goal of the season.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net in regulation, so the game headed for the overtime period.

Delaware would not wait long as Alexis Esbitt scored off a rebound in the circle, just 47 seconds into overtime to grab the 3-2 win for the Fightin’ Blue Hens.

The Rams return to action on Sunday, at Cary Street Field, when they take on Towson at 12 p.m.