No. 13 Virginia wins 2-1 at No. 11 Syracuse

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The No. 13 Virginia field hockey team closed out the 2020-21 season with a 2-1 victory at No. 11 Syracuse on Friday in Syracuse, N.Y.

Virginia (7-11, 4-7 ACC) never trailed in the game, with junior midfielder Annie McDonough (Kennett Square, Pa.) scoring the game-winner with 4:06 remaining in regulation.

Freshman midfielder Meghen Hengerer (Bedminster, N.J.) scored her first career goal while her twin sister striker Lilly Hengerer (Bedminster, N.J.) assisted on McDonough’s game-winner.

After neither team took a shot in the first period, Virginia scored on its first opportunity of the game. Meghen Hengerer inserted the ball during a penalty corner and then slid to the corner of the net to knock in a pass from junior back Amber Ezechiels (Niew-Vennep, Netherlands).

Virginia’s 1-0 advantage held until Syracuse (8-7, 4-5 ACC) scored four minutes into the second half on a goal from Hailey Bitters.

With time winding down in regulation, Lilly Hengerer found an open McDonough in front of the net. McDonough smashed a goal over the keeper and into the net to put the Cavaliers ahead.

Virginia only had two shots on goal in the game, scoring on both.