No. 8 Virginia Bblanks William & Mary, 5-0

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The No. 8 Virginia field hockey team (2-1) opened the weekend with a 5-0 victory at William & Mary (0-2) on Friday at Busch Field in Williamsburg, Va.

Virginia held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but exploded for four goals in the second half. Annie McDonough and Peyton Tollaksen each scored twice in UVA’s first road game of the season.

The Cavaliers took a 1-0 lead midway through the second period when junior midfielder Adele Iacobucci deflected in an Amber Ezechiels’ shot from the top of the circle on a penalty corner. UVA held that same 1-0 advantage at the halftime break.

After taking just four shots in the first half, the Cavaliers found their offensive spark early in the second half. Senior striker Peyton Tollaksen found a loose ball in front of the net after an initial shot, sending it into the cage to score with 8:14 remaining in the third quarter. A minute later, junior striker Laura Janssen and senior midfielder Annie McDonough found themselves with a 2 v 1 with the goalie, with Janssen sliding a pass over to McDonough who scored the goal. With three second remaining in the third, McDonough scored again, this time with an assist from sophomore striker Esha Shah. Tollaksen added her second goal of the game with 6:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, with McDonough providing the assist.