NORFOLK, Va. – Despite getting two quick goals from senior midfielder Sarah Breen in the second half, the Old Dominion field hockey team suffered a 3-2 loss at the hands of American on Sunday afternoon at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
ODU fell to 1-1 on the season, while the Eagles moved to 1-1 after picking up their first win of the year.
The Lady Monarchs once again found themselves down 1-0 in the first half, as American notched the first goal of the game at the 18:07 mark. Refaela Rubas had a one-on-one situation with the ODU keeper inside the circle, after Angela Virtu sent a pass in-between the Old Dominion back line, and sent the ball into the left side of the cage.
ODU was awarded two penalty corners over the rest of the half, but could not find the back of the net as the Eagles entered intermission with a 1-0 lead.
In the opening minutes of the second half, American forward Leah DiGiandomencio was given a green card, giving ODU a man-up opportunity. The Lady Monarchs took advantage and earned another penalty corner and this time found the back of the cage. Freshman Chrissy Horn sent the ball in to junior Catalina Barahona who set the ball for Breen who then slammed home the equalizer from the top of the circle.
ODU kept attacking the American defense and was awarded another corner opportunity just 3:27 later. Breen was once again the target, but her initial shot was blocked by a defender. She quickly found her rebound and lifted the ball over the outstretched goalie to give the Lady Monarchs the 2-1 lead with 27 minutes left to play.
Old Dominion’s offense continued its strong play, racking up two more penalty corners over the next five minute, but the American defense held strong. American then went on an offensive attack and scored the tying goal at the 50:46 mark. Samantha McCormick deflected the ball in for the goal off a shot by Natalie Konerth.
The Lady Monarchs never gave up and kept attacking the Eagles’ defensive unit, earning three corners in a span of three minutes, but American found a way to stop the ODU attack and get the ball behind the defense and score the game-winning goal. Katie Lonsky tallied the game-winner when she tapped the ball in from Konerth.
Breen paced the ODU offense with two goals on nine shots, while Barahona and Horn notched an assist a piece. Kelly Weaver suffered the loss in goal, playing 60:46 before freshman Kealsie Robles took to the cage. ODU pulled its goalie for the final 4:46 of the match.
Lonsky, McCormick and Rubas each netted a goal for the Eagles, while Konerth added two assists to lead the offense. Kate McBeath earned the win after playing the full 70 minutes and making eight saves.
The Lady Monarchs are back in action next weekend, as they travel to East Lansing, Mich. to take on Michigan State on Sept. 4 at 2:00 p.m. Old Dominion will follow with Kent State, which will be played at Michigan State, on Sept. 5 at 2:00 p.m.
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