Field Hockey: No. 3 Virginia wins opener at No. 16 Penn State, 2-1

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The No. 3 Virginia field hockey team opened the 2024 season with a 2-1 victory at No. 16 Penn State on Friday at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex in University Park, Pa.

Juniors Sloan Davidson and Caroline Nemec scored their first career goals, providing the offense for the Cavaliers.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Sloan Davidson gave the Cavaliers (1-0) the early lead. Senior Noa Boterman sent a long pass up ahead to Davidson who found herself alone in the circle with a one-on-one against the goalkeeper. She won the showdown, scoring to put UVA ahead 4:27 into the contest.

The Cavaliers held possession for most of the first half, taking 13 shots, while the Nittany Lions (0-1) did not take a shot until the third period. With 2:36 remaining in the third, Penn State was awarded a penalty corner. The shot was blocked, with another corner awarded. The Nittany Lions ended up with four consecutive corners in the sequence, scoring on their fourth to tie the game 1-1.

The Cavaliers earned a penalty corner with three minutes remaining in the game. The initial shot by senior Jans Croon was saved, but Nemec picked up the rebound at the top of the circle. With a clear view of the goal, she fired off a shot that went past the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net to put UVA ahead 2-1 with 2:47 remaining.

Penn State was awarded a penalty corner with 17 seconds remaining in the game, but the attempt was blocked, and the ball cleared as Virginia held on for the victory.

GOALS
UVA: 4:27 — Sloan Davidson (Noa Boterman)
PSU: 42:48 — Sophia Gladieux (Julienne van Bekkum)
UVA: 57:08 — Caroline Nemec (unassisted)  

NOTES

• This was Ole Keusgen’s first game as Virginia’s head coach
• Virginia held a 24-6 edge in shots
• Penn State goalkeeper Aby Deverka made 11 saves
• Each team had five penalty corners
• Grad student Suze Leemans was in the starting lineup for her collegiate debut. She took three shots, all on goals
• Freshman Amelie Rees made her collegiate debut, taking two shots. Freshman Catalina Quinteros also made her collegiate debut

FROM HEAD COACH OLE KEUSGEN

“A classic first game of the season, in which we failed to score a second goal to control the game. We created great opportunities that we didn’t finish, something we must do better at moving forward. At the end, we showed grit to finish the game. Overall, it was a good start to the season.”

ON THE HORIZON

Virginia will host Temple on Friday, Sept. 6, at 5 p.m. in its home opener.