Field Hockey: Mendez-Trendler’s game-winner lifts Virginia over No. 2 Duke, 2-1, in double OT

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The No. 8 Virginia field hockey team picked up a 2-1 double-overtime victory at No. 2 Duke in a non-conference contest on Sunday at Jack Katz Stadium in Durham, N.C.

Sophomore midfielder Daniela Mendez-Trendler scored the game-winner 3:17 into the second overtime period.

This was the second overtime game between the two teams in a nine-day span. Duke had won 2-1 in single-overtime in Charlottesville on Oct. 6.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Taryn Tkachuk put the Cavaliers (9-5, 2-3 ACC) on the scoreboard in the opening minutes of the game. Mendez-Trendler drove into the circle and fired off a pass to Tkachuk, who was positioned right in front of the net and knocked it into the cage 2:53 into the first quarter.

Duke (13-2, 5-0) tied the game 9:19 into the third quarter.

The Cavaliers had two chances to score in the final minute of regulation with two penalty corners in the final 45 seconds of play, but Duke blocked one shot and goalkeeper Piper Hampsch saved the other to send the game into extra time.

Duke had a pair of opportunities in the first overtime. The Cavaliers got a yellow card, putting them down a player for five minutes. Duke’s Hannah Miller took a shot, but Adele Iacobucci dove with an outstretched stick to save the shot and preserve the tie. Duke then was awarded a penalty corner, taking two shots, both of which were blocked by the UVA defense.

Virginia was awarded a penalty corner with 15 seconds remaining in the first overtime, but their shot was blocked.

In the second overtime, Mendez-Trendler stole the ball from a Duke player and drove into the circle, earning a penalty corner. The initial shot off the corner was blocked, but Iacobucci picked up the rebound and took another shot, which was saved. Mendez-Trendler came up with the rebound from the save and took a third shot, this one making its way into the cage to end the game.

NOTES

• Mendez-Trendler’s goal was her sixth of the year but her first game-winner of the year
• Tkachuk’s goal was her sixth of the season
• Virginia held a 13-12 edge in shots and 7-3 in penalty corners
• Virginia goalkeeper Tyler Kennedy had three saves
• Madison Orsi and Iacobucci each had a defensive save
• Hampsch logged four saves for Duke

FROM HEAD COACH MICHELE MADISON

“These two teams bring out the best in each other. Statistically, it was a pretty even game as well as in the fight and in the hustle. They got it last time and we got it this time, so it’s only going to help us both get better.

“Adele had the play of the game on the goal line with a defensive save and then we were able to put it away in the overtime with Dani’s great hustle in front of the goal. We got three shots in that series in the second overtime.

“Congrats to our team for their preparation, their fight and their belief in themselves.”

UP NEXT

The Cavaliers play their final regular-season home game on Friday, hosting No. 3 North Carolina at 4 p.m. The game will include a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the first game in program history. The annual Senior Day ceremony will take place on the field after the game.