PRINCETON, N.J. - Old Dominion field hockey fell to Penn 4-2 in the second game of the Tiger Invitational Sunday afternoon.
Penn (1-1) was first on the scoreboard with back-to-back goals, the first coming from Philine Klas assisted by Riley Thomson at the 10:57 mark, followed by Emma Nahon assisted by Sydney Mandato at 14:58 ending the quarter 2-0 in Penn’s favor.
The second quarter was quiet for both sides other than a shot from Quaker Julia Ryan which ODU (1-3) goalkeeper Suus Broers was able to keep out of the net. Monarch Cosima Perleth started the third quarter with a corner pass to Amelie Zielcke which was then saved by Penn goalkeeper Ruby de’Frees, who then blocked another corner pass from Perleth to Serena Langendoen. Klas attempted to put another on the board for the Quakers but was denied by Broers, but Julia Ryan was able to put forth another attempt and made the score 3-0 at the 35:00 mark. ODU’s Sian Emslie connected with Isabella Decesaris with a drive from outside the circle redirected into the top of the cage making it 3-1 at the 43:11 minute to close out the third quarter.
“We simply weren’t good enough today, especially through the first two thirds of the game. We lacked the speed and effort required at this level. Although we controlled much of the possession, we conceded on counterattacks and found ourselves 3–0 down from mistakes that were preventable”, said ODU Head Coach Andrew Griffiths
At the beginning of the fourth quarter ODU’s Josie Painter attempted at a shot which was denied by de’Frees, allowing a corner pass for Madison Zalewski who connected with Niccolette Saccomandi, with Langendoen slotting it in the goal making it 3-2 in the 46th minute. The Quakers added an empty-net goal by Barrington-Hibbert for the final 4-2 score.
“In the final stages—late in the third quarter and throughout the fourth—we finally raised our intensity, played with aggression, and dominated the game. That pressure created chances to get back in it, but that is not the standard of ODU hockey. We must get tougher and stronger, and this coming week of training will demand exactly that.”
Old Dominion finished with nine shots, seven shots on goal, and four corners. Penn recorded eight shots, five saves, and four corners in the match. Old Dominion goalkeeper Broers recorded three saves for the game.
UP NEXT:
Old Dominion returns to Norfolk to host Wagner at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex on Friday, September 12, at 5 p.m. to celebrate Morgan's Message.