Field hockey loses to UMass 2-1

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutewomen claimed a 2-1 victory against the University of Richmond Spiders field hockey team at Crenshaw Field on Oct. 21. 

UMass dominated the game's early stages, having most of the possession during the first period. The Spiders faced four shots on goal during the 15 minutes of the game and could not register any attempts of their own. 

UMass continued to control the game during the second period, adding another six shots to its overall attempts on UR’s goal. The Minutewomen pressured the Spiders' defense until UMass put in a deflected shot at 22:32 and gave UMass the lead. 

By the start of the third period, UR had played itself into the game. The Spiders gave UMass most of the possession and relied on quick counterattacks to get back into the match. 

“They’re a possession-oriented team and our intent was to inject our speed into the game as often as we could,” UR head coach Jamie Montgomery said. 

UR’s counter-attacking style proved effective as The Spiders attempted four shots at UMass’s goal early on in the third period. However, the Minutewomen defended well and kept UR from scoring. Later on in the period, UMass created a chance and scored at 35:54 with a give-and-go between two UMass players in the pool. 

The fourth quarter gave hope to The Spiders as they created four more attempts on goal. Senior midfielder Lindsey Frank converted one of her two shots and scored a solo goal at 51:31, giving UR a chance to tie the game in the remaining eight minutes and 30 seconds. 

“The goal was a great energy booster for us,” Frank said. “We were matching their level of possession and really focusing on maintaining that calm steady composure.”

The Spiders pushed for an equalizer until the last second of the game, however, the score remained 1-2 with UMass winning the match. 

UR’s goalkeeper, sophomore goalkeeper Kristen Rake, made five saves and Frank scored her career-high eighth goal of the season. 

“Knowing that we’ve got Kristen in goal and [senior midfielder and defender] Tess [Keppel], [junior defender] Olivia [De Cain] and [senior defender] Sutton [Orndorff], they played lights out today,” Frank said. “It gives the rest of us confidence knowing that they’ll come up with it and give us a great pass to move forward.”

UR plays No. 32 Stanford University on Oct. 23 at home. The game will take place at 11 a.m. at Crenshaw Field. Prior to the game, The Spiders will honor the team’s six seniors. 

Contact sports writer Ryan Stacy at ryan.stacy@richmond.edu.