Field hockey loses consecutive matches for first time this season

Daniel Puryear

Contributing Writer


 

Field hockey (8-3) hosted the Saint Joseph’s University Hawks (9-2, 3-0 A-10) on Friday, Sept. 29 and the Appalachian State University Mountaineers (3-7) on Sunday, Oct. 1.

 

Appalachian State

 

Only two days after Saint Joseph’s University ended VCU’s six game winning streak, Appalachian State University likewise came to play.

 

Junior forward Emily McNamara continued to lead the Rams’ attack after her game-high 12-shot performance against the Hawks. McNamara led the Black and Gold once again versus the Mountaineers with eight shots, two on goal. Twin freshman midfielders Svea and Maite Sturm each put up two shots, with three on goal combined.

 

Senior keeper Chessa Kownurko snagged a shot from Appalachian State’s Ali Williams in the 19th minute but, only 1:29 later, the Mountaineers were able to get past the senior. Taylor Cimbalist was able to get the first shot for App State and of the game.

 

VCU senior midfielder Spencer Tossone fed a corner to McNamara in the 42nd minute. McNamara was able to slip past the App State back line and open the scoring for the Black and Gold. The goal was McNamara’s 10th of the season.

 

Kownurko made some impressive saves in the second period and led the Rams into a third period with the score tied at 1-1.

 

Appalachian State started the overtime period with intensity, committing eight penalties in the first nine minutes. That intensity allowed Mountaineer Meghan Smart to get her rebound shot in the net shortly into the overtime stanza.

 

The Mountaineers played more aggressive and were able to get more shots on goal, leading to their 2-1 win in overtime.

 

Saint Joseph’s

 

The Rams went into a conference showdown with the Hawks of St. Joseph’s University riding a six-game win streak. Sadly, the Black and Gold’s streak came to an abrupt halt after hosting the #21 Hawks. The leaders of the A-10 downed the Rams decisively by a final score of 4-0.

 

VCU put up a valiant effort, with more than double the number of shots and shots on goal as the Hawks. McNamara put it all on the line and lead the team with 12 shots, six on goal.

 

The Rams struggled to keep the ball away from the goalie box, and Kownurko was only able to save four of eight shots. The senior goalkeeper was even used by the Hawks’ Anna Willocks to get a shot in — Willocks hit a shot off Kownurko’s foot and into the back of the net.

 

The Hawks brought a physical mentality to Richmond with them, piling up 50 fouls in 70 minutes. This gave VCU ample opportunities through penalty corners, but the Black and Gold were never able to capitalize on the advantage.  

 

VCU (8-3, 2-1 A10) heads to the University of Massachusetts (8-3, 3-1 A10) on Friday, Oct. 6 for another pivotal conference showdown.

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