Field Hockey falls at James Madison University

The University of Richmond field hockey team lost 2-1 against James Madison University on Oct. 6, ending its five game win streak. 

The Spiders were quickly awarded the first penalty corner of the game just a minute and a half into the first period. The corner was unsuccessful, but they immediately drew another. UR took the lead in the game when sophomore forward Valen Luna Paratore scored a goal assisted by sophomore forward Clara Larripa. 

JMU had an opportunity to score when it drew two penalty corners six minutes into the game, but neither shot prevailed. Five minutes later, the Dukes tied the game with a pass across the crease.

The Spiders faced a challenge to get the ball down the field with JMU taking possession for much of the period. 

The second period had a slow start. JMU drew a penalty corner seven minutes in and the Dukes made the shot, taking the lead of the game. 

A few moments later, Larripa received a green card, momentarily taking her out of the game. Paratore made an attempt at a goal with two minutes left in the half, but the Dukes blocked the shot. 

Larripa once again took a seat on the sideline when she received her second green card of the game with a minute left on the clock.

The Dukes and the Spiders spent a majority of the third period battling in the middle of the field, with neither team able to gain an advantage on the other. 

Sophomore defender Freya MacKay received a yellow card with just under two minutes left on the clock. 

Neither team scored during the third period, allowing the Dukes to maintain their advantage leading to the fourth. 

UR had a chance to score when it received a penalty corner eight minutes into the period, but the attempt fell short. The Spiders drew two more penalty corners just under two minutes later, but were once again unable to take advantage. 

UR unsuccessfully rushed to score a goal, leaving the Spiders a point behind when the buzzer signaled the end of the game. 

The Spiders were unsatisfied with the results of the game, but were determined to move forward. 

“This was a learning step for us,” junior midfielder Alexa Derr said post-game. “We can take what we didn’t do well in this game and change it moving forward.”

Junior midfielder Madelyn Curtis shared similar thoughts. 

“I’m a little disappointed,” Curtis said. “This is a rivalry so we all wanted to win, but there was a lot to learn from the game. We have a lot to focus on for our upcoming game on Friday."

The field hockey team’s next game will be at Lock Haven at 3 p.m Oct. 11. Lock Haven, a fellow Atlantic 10 team, has had a challenging season, currently sitting with a 2-10 record. The Bald Eagles have not won a game since an upset against La Salle University on Sep. 20. 

Despite UR’s loss against JMU, it has a 3-0 conference record, which the Spiders will seek to continue against Lock Haven. 

Contact lifestyle editor Abigail Finney at abigail.finney@richmond.edu.