Field Hockey loses against UMass in last home game of the season

The University of Richmond field hockey team suffered a 3-0 loss against fellow Atlantic 10 team, No. 18 University of Massachusetts, Oct. 26. 

The game started unfavorably for the Spiders, as UMass stole the ball and drove it into the circle, scoring only four and a half minutes into the game. 

The Minutewomen drew a penalty corner in the eighth minute of play, but the shot went wide. They had another chance at a penalty corner just a minute and a half later, but redshirt junior goalkeeper Kristen Rake saved the shot. 

The second period saw little action, as neither team was able to take to the scoreboard. 

With both teams showing strong defensive efforts, there were few attempts to score. The only notable action happened in the 26th minute of play when sophomore forward Clara Larripa took a shot, but the ball couldn’t find the cage. 

The buzzer sounded, leading the Spiders into the second half with no points on the board. 

UMass came into the third period with renewed eagerness, taking to the field with force. 

The Spiders made a goal attempt in the third minute of the period and UR asked for a review of the play, but the review did not side with the Spiders. 

UMass made a goal attempt in the 33rd minute of play, but the shot went high. A minute later the Minutewomen drew a penalty corner, but the shot went wide. 

UMass continued its attack, taking another shot in the 35th minute of play, but the attempt fell short. Three minutes later, the Minutewomen took another shot, but the shot went wide for the third time in a row. 

UR finally received a chance to score with a penalty corner in the 39th minute of play, but its attempt fell short. 

The Minutewomen made two goal attempts within 10 seconds of each other in the 42nd minute of play, but they were unable to capitalize from either. 

However, UMass received a penalty stroke as a result of the play, which it scored from, expanding the lead to 2-0. 

The fourth period leaned heavily in favor of the Minutewomen. They drew two penalty corners in the 50th minute of play. The first was saved by Rake, but the second got past the Spiders. Rake initially saved the attempt, but a UMass player snapped the ball in the cage seconds later. 

The Minutewomen felt secure in their lead as they took out their goalkeeper in the 58th minute of play, leaving their net empty. 

UMass drew a penalty corner in the final 30 seconds of the game, but were blocked by the Spiders. 

This loss increased the Spiders’ losing streak to three with only two games left in the regular season. Despite their second A-10 loss in a row, the Spiders remain optimistic as they look toward the upcoming conference championship. 

“We’re very proud that we made the playoffs,” Head Coach Martu Loncarica said. “All of these games help us get better and prepare for conference play.”

UR will either be facing off against Saint Joseph’s or UMass in the playoffs. The Spiders have lost to both teams this season, but they are not letting that stop them.

“Now that we’ve played both teams, I think we can readjust and change our set up,” senior midfielder Annie Nash said. “I feel confident that we can have a better game against them next time.” 

The field hockey team’s next game will be at the University of Maryland at 1 p.m. Oct. 27. The Terrapins are currently ranked fifth across in Division I standings and will be a major opponent for the Spiders. UMD will be coming into the game fresh off a loss against Princeton University. 

This game will give the Spiders a break from conference play before their rivalry game against Virginia Commonwealth University on Nov. 1.  

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