Field Hockey finishes regular season with first victory over VCU in five years

The University of Richmond field hockey wrapped up its season with a 1-0 victory over Virginia Commonwealth University Nov. 1.

The Spiders were not only competing for a win against the Rams. Whoever won the game would collect the three seed in the Atlantic 10 Championships in the week following. 

The first period started well for the Spiders with sophomore forward Valen Luna Paratore attempting a goal that ultimately went wide. 

UR continued to look for a goal five and a half minutes later when sophomore forward Clara Larripa took a shot that was saved by VCU. 

The Rams answered with their own attempt two minutes later, but redshirt junior goalie Kristen Rake saved the ball. 

VCU drew the first penalty corner of the game a few seconds later, but it was unable to capitalize on the opportunity. A minute later, the Rams had another chance at a corner, but the shot went wide. 

Neither team had managed to score coming into the second period, but that wouldn’t last long. 

A minute and a half into the period, junior midfielder Emma Williams passed the ball to junior midfielder Lainey Nichols who turned and nailed the ball in the cage. This was Nichols’ second goal of the season. 

Paratore made an attempt in the 20th minute of play, but the ball flew high. The Spiders continued to put pressure on the Rams as they drew a penalty corner two minutes later. VCU saved the shot and answered with its own goal attempt seconds later. 

The Spiders drew a corner in the 27th minute of play, but the shot went wide. 

UR entered the second half of the game with a one-point advantage over the Rams, but the Spiders had to work to keep the lead. 

VCU attempted to score in the 35th minute of play, but couldn’t find the cage. Seconds later, the Rams drew a penalty corner, but they were blocked by Spider defenders. 

VCU was awarded another chance at a penalty corner in the 42nd minute of play, but its attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the Rams with no points on the board. 

Three minutes into the final period, VCU made a shot toward the goal, but it flew left of the cage. 

A minute later, the Rams drew an unsuccessful penalty corner. The Rams continued to push for a goal, drawing another corner just two minutes later. A VCU player hit a powerful shot toward the goal, but hit Larripa in the side of the neck, knocking her down and taking her out of the game temporarily. 

In a last-ditch effort, the Rams drew three penalty corners in the final minute of play, but none of their attempts resulted in a score, leaving them with no goals as the buzzer sounded. 

UR field hockey has not won against VCU since 2019, making this game an incredible way to close out the regular season. 

“As a senior, we have lost to VCU the past three seasons,” senior forward Jessica Mullin said. “This is such a big rivalry and we worked really hard to prepare for this game so it just makes me really happy to finally beat them.”

This game gives the Spiders the third seed for the upcoming A 10 Championships in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

“The way that we played today shows the way that Richmond field hockey plays,” Mullin said. “We play together and I’m excited to ride this wave of momentum going into next week”

The Spiders have been matched up with second-seeded Saint Joseph’s University, a team that beat them 7-0 earlier this season. Despite the loss, UR will enter the game with determination. 

“I think the entire team is really excited to play them again,” sophomore goalkeeper Thea Conomikes said.

The Hawks will have home-field advantage as they are the hosts of the A-10 Championships this year. UR’s game will be second in the schedule, so the winner’s opponent for the semifinals will be decided before the game begins. 

The Spiders will play the Hawks at 2 p.m. Nov. 7. 

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