Field hockey loses in close game against Old Dominion

The University of Richmond field hockey team lost 2-1 to Old Dominion University at home on Sept. 11. 

Despite the loss, the Spiders started the game strong after senior midfielder Lindsey Frank scored in the first eight minutes of play. Frank’s goal, her third of the season, put UR up 1-0 and came after a corner for the Spiders. She was assisted by senior midfielder and defender Tess Keppel and first-year midfielder and defender Madelyn Curtis. 

During the first period, UR took three shots on goal and held ODU to none. But, with 10:28 to go in the second quarter, the Monarchs were given a penalty stroke and scored as a result. 

This tied the game up 1-1, and from there, the Spiders lost their momentum. At halftime, the score remained 1-1, but the Monarchs went on to score once more with 27 seconds remaining in the third period, giving them a 2-1 lead and putting an end to the tie.  

UR Head Coach Jamie Montgomery said after the game that she thought the team had worked really hard on the defensive end and while they were given opportunities, the team needed to take advantage of those. 

“I do think we’ve taken some really, really big steps forward as a team,” Montgomery said. “I thought we played some really lights-out defense. I’m just hoping that we can put the ball in the back of the net a little bit more often.” 

Coming into the game, ODU was ranked 14th in the country. The Spiders played the Monarchs in a scrimmage before the season and lost. This time around, the score was closer, but the Monarchs still had the edge. 

Montgomery said she did not think the mindset should change when playing games against nationally ranked teams as opposed to non-ranked teams. 

“I think we try and focus on and emphasize our style of play and how hard we go and making sure that we can put our best foot forward because the game is there to be won,” Montgomery said.

Keppel said that the game was one they wanted to win, especially with the score being so close against a nationally ranked opponent. 

“While 2-1 is a good score, that’s something that in the future we want to be the team that comes out on top,” Keppel said. “We came out really hot in this game. We gotta keep that going and make those big games ones that we’re winning.” 

This loss to ODU drops the Spiders’ record to 3-2 for the season and snaps their three-game win streak. 

In terms of their schedule, the Spiders only have one game remaining against a non-conference opponent, which will take place away at Wake Forest University at 4 p.m. on Sept. 16. Conference play, on the other hand, begins at home against Davidson College on Sept. 18. 

“I think we’re excited for conference play, but every game matters in our season,” Keppel said. “So using that as a good game, a good prep to get ready for conference, to bring it into conference and be confident that we’re the best team that’s gonna go into the A-10.” 

The Spiders will look to add to their win total when they travel to Winston-Salem, North Carolina this week. 

Contact sports writer Jimmy James at jimmy.james@richmond.edu.