Field Hockey Falls in High Scoring Affair

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Virginia Wesleyan University team rallied back twice in Wednesday's Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) field hockey matchup, falling in overtime, 5-4, to Randolph-Macon College in a high scoring affair.

Randolph-Macon took the early momentum in what looked to be a close game from the opening whistle. Just 1:29 into the game, Madison McCoy ripped a shot that deflected off the pads of Skye Swain out to Victoria Cappadora who finished off the ball for an early 1-0 lead.

McCoy struck again at 10:27 when she corralled a deflection and moved around a defender to get a good look at the cage for the 2-0 lead.

Randolph-Macon continued to shock the home crowd with a third goal just six minutes later. Maria Teresa Ambrogi-Torres put another ball on cage that played a perfect deflection to Cappadora for her second goal of the half.

The Marlins took a timeout to regroup, and the timely break paid off as VWU rallied over the final minutes of the second half.

Julie Fassl started the Marlin scoring at 30:34 when she sent a ball towards the far post where Taylor Wilhelm was located to deflect in her sixth goal of the season.

The Marlins cut the deficit to a single goal just under three minutes later when Hayden Thornbrugh lofted a ball into Fassl who slotted it past the Randolph-Macon keeper.

That 3-2 lead lasted until late in the second half when Ambrogi-Torres sent a ball across the circle to Cappadora who managed to shoot it past Swain for her third goal of the match.

VWU responded once again at 61:37 as Fassl ripped a shot that was deflected to Elizabeth Roberto. The Marlin handled the loose ball, snapping a shot past Kelsey Stanley to cut the deficit to a lone goal once more. The Marlins tied it up for the first time a minute later when Roberto lifted a high shot that caught the raised stick of Cori Jackson who was positioned just off the far post.

The overtime period allowed for the more quickness on both ends as seven players are on the field for each squad as opposed to the 11 that take the field in regulation. The Marlins had the first opportunity, putting a shot on goal that got past Stanley but was turned away by Jessica Cooke. Another shot that hit off the side of the cage returned possession to Randolph-Macon.

The Yellow Jackets subbed in Cappadora at the 72:46 mark after allowing the R-MC offensive threat a chance to rest her legs. Exactly 62 seconds later, Cappadora broke free from the pack, dribbled at Swain who attempted to turn her away, but the Yellow Jacket made a nifty move around the Marlin keeper to finish off the game-winning goal, her fourth of the game.

Stanley made 10 saves for Randolph-Macon (6-9/2-3) while Swain made 11 stops for VWU.

Shots were even at 21 for the squads as the Marlins held a 9-7 edge in penalty corners.

Virginia Wesleyan (7-7/1-3) travels to Shenandoah University (7-7/1-3) Saturday for a critical contest as both teams look to secure the last spot in the upcoming ODAC tournament. Opening whistle is scheduled for 2 p.m.