CUA makes it four shutouts in four tries

LEXINGTON, Va. – It was another shutout victory for the CUA field hockey team on Friday evening as the Cardinals downed Washington & Lee 3-0 behind a strong defensive effort.  CUA scored all three of its goals in the second half and held the Generals to just two shots on the night. 

CUA unleashed 21 shots for the game and was awarded eight penalty corners to Washington & Lee’s one.  Krystyanna Ramsdell earned yet another shutout win in goal for the Cardinals, while Generals goalkeeper Kirsten Kayne stopped ten shots for the home team.

The Cardinals had plenty of chances in the opening half as CUA totaled ten shots, including the final nine.  Mary Swarthout had two of her shots sent back by Kayne, while Elizabeth Grumbein, Tracey Scanlon and Meredith Chandler all recorded shots on goal.  CUA was unable to find the back of the cage however and so the teams headed for intermission locked in a 0-0 tie.  

"The first half was a battle," Cardinals head coach Gia Cillizza commented.  "It was an athletic, fast-paced game played between two very good teams.  I thought we looked composed and skilled, we just couldn't put one in the cage."

Following another ten minutes of scoreless play to begin the second half Tori Gagliardi got CUA on the board at the 41:04 mark with her second goal of the season.  Scanlon then made it 2-0 as she weaved through the Generals defense and blasted a shot into the back of the cage just over seven minutes later.  "Tracey was outstanding tonight," Cillizza said.  "Her goal was tremendous.  She made a terrific play."

CUA, which did not allow a single Generals shot in the half, then sealed its fourth straight win when Caroline Reilly took a feed from Catherine Mirsky and scored her first goal of the season at the 54:55 mark.

Cillizza spoke of the Cardinals balanced offense during the early going this season.  "It's been great.  It forces the other team's defense to not focus on just one or two players.  Right now we have a lot of options offensively and a lot of girls are contributing.  All three of our goals tonight were well-executed."  

The Cardinals continued to apply pressure even with its three-goal advantage, unleashing five more shots in the final minutes, and the defense continued to do its job as CUA remained unbeaten.  "Our defense was so solid tonight," Cillizza said.  "The game was played for the most part in the midfield, but when Washington & Lee did get down towards our goal, our backs shut them down."  

She continued, "Our defense is doing a terrific job of communicating; they are confident, and they're doing a nice job of shutting the opposing team's offense down before they have a chance to get anything going."    

CUA will now be off until Tuesday when the Cardinals hit the road yet again, this time traveling to take on a tough Gettysburg squad.  Game time is slated for 4:30.