No. 11 Field Hockey Falls Short Against No. 6 Virginia

Friday, September 11

LOUISVILLE, KY

6:00 PM

University of Louisville

(4-1, 0-1)

VIRGINIA

(5-0, 1-0)

Virginia

Louisville

No. 11 Field Hockey Falls Short Against No. 6 Virginia

September 11, 2015 | Field Hockey

Box Score

Cards fall 4-3 in ACC opener

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Senior Elisa Garcia scored a pair of goals, but the 11^th ranked University of Louisville fell 4-3 to sixth-ranked Virginia in both teams' ACC opener Friday evening at Trager Stadium. The Cardinals drop to 4-1 (0-1 ACC) while the Cavaliers improve to 5-0 (1-0).

"I think we were very passive," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "Maybe that was my fault in the way that we were trying to defend them, and they had a different lineup, but we gave up a couple of soft goals early so that really didn't put us in the right frame of mind early on. So if I could have the first 20 minutes back, I would. After that… this team is amazing and I cannot fault them for their effort and what they're trying to put into play here."

Virginia got on the scoreboard in the 10^th minute of the game when Lucy Hyams connected on penalty corner assists from Nadine de Koning and Macy Peebles. Four minutes later, Tara Vittese sent a cross from Caleigh Foust past Louisville freshman goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran to put the Cavaliers up 2-0.

The Cardinals got on the scoreboard with less than three minutes left to play in the half. After drawing Louisville drew its third penalty corner of the half after Garcia's initial shot was trapped, the Cardinals were awarded a penalty stroke. Garcia made good on her penalty stroke attempt for her second goal of the season made the score 2-1.

The teams entered halftime with Virginia leading 2-1. The Cavaliers outshot the Cardinals 8-5 and held a 4-3 edge in corners.

Louisville drew a corner in the opening minutes of the second half, but UVA's Carrera Lucas turned back a shot by Nicole Woods to hold the Cards at bay. Ten minutes into the second half, UVA was awarded a penalty stroke which was converted by Vittese to increase the Cavaliers' lead to 3-1 at the 44:46 minute in the game.

The Cardinals answered 10 minutes later when senior Katharine Gwynne-Wood moved into the circle and sent a feed to the front of the cage to Garcia who sent the ball past Lucas for her second goal of the game which cut the lead to one goal.

UVA quickly answered responded a minute later. As the teams scrambled in front of the cage, McFerran tried to clear the ball, but Bailey Fanikos was there for the rebound and knocked the ball into the cage to make the score 4-2.

The teams continued to battle for the next 13 minutes until Louisville struck again. This time Gwynne-Wood lined a pass from the right side of the circle to Woods who was waiting in front of Lucas to notch her first goal of the season to pull the Cards within one goal with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.

The Cavaliers held possession on their end of the field until the last 30 seconds of the game. The Cardinals worked the ball back to their circle, but time expired before a shot could be taken and UVA prevailed 4-3.

"We're young, we're still learning, we're still growing and the fight (we showed) at the end of the game was unbelievable," said Sowry. "We just have to have the mentality that we can do that from the get-go and not leave it up the last 10 or 15 minutes. I'm really proud of the group, but we certainly have lessons to take away from this game."

In the game, Virginia outshot Louisville 21-11 while the Cardinals held a 5-4 edge in corners. McFerran (4-1) posted a career-high eight saves in the second contest.

Virginia starting goalkeeper Rebecca Holden (3-0) registered two saves to get the win while Lucas collected three stops in the second half.

UofL (4-1) is back in action against No. 17 Liberty Sunday at 1 p.m. at Trager Stadium. Admission is free.