Make that seven straight wins in a row for the Old Dominion Field Hockey team as they improved their record to 9-5 on the season after defeating Richmond 4-0. Sophomore forward Sacha de Gier highlighted the afternoon with her two-goal performance off of six shots to help the Lady Monarchs increase the winning streak.
In the first period, the control of play and possession was on the ODU side. They put up six shots throughout but only managed to get one goal. In the final two minutes of the period, De Gier managed to put the Lady Monarchs on the board with a put-away shot in front of the goal. ODU would lead 1-0 after one period.
After about five minutes passed in the second period, Old Dominion was granted a penalty corner which they took advantage of. Junior midfielder Frederique Zandbergen sent the ball into play and found graduate midfielder Danielle Husar for the set-up as graduate back Nicole Fredricks struck the ball past the goalie for her first goal of the season.
That was not it though. As time in the half dwindled, De Gier put up a pair of shots that were saved by the Spiders’ defense, but with 45 seconds left, Zandbergen passed the ball into the striking circle, where De Gier was positioned for the deflection into the cage for another goal as ODU increased their advantage to 3-0.
Coming out for the third period, there was hardly any action as the score remained 3-0. With three minutes left in the period, ODU had another penalty corner opportunity. Graduate back Anna Miller sent the ball into the circle and found senior forward Marlon De Bruijne for the shot, but it was saved.
Going into the final 15 minutes of play, the Lady Monarchs maintained their advantage and eventually struck the dagger into the Spiders. Three minutes into the fourth, De Bruijne had another shot on goal that was saved by the keeper, but ODU was granted another penalty corner. Zandbergen sent the ball inside and found De Gier for the ensuing shot on goal, but a penalty stroke was called. On the ensuing stroke, De Bruijne netted her first goal of the afternoon, hitting the ball in the top-left corner of the cage past the keeper to make it 4-0 ODU.
Old Dominion would go on and win the match 4-0 over the Richmond Spiders, holding the opposition shotless and providing no corner opportunities as well. The Lady Monarchs tallied 14 shots overall and had eight penalty corner chances, which gave them two of their four goals on the day. De Bruijne finished the match with a goal off of five shots and four being on goal. She is up to seven goals this season.
After the match, assistant coach Peter Taylor shared his thoughts on the team’s performance and felt they played well overall. He hopes the Lady Monarchs can carry on the momentum and continue to develop their game.
“It was a great team effort, we are happy with the team. We came out strong after a tough game Friday and we knew we had another tough one today and we came out and played really well together as a team,” Taylor said. “We want to keep our foot on the gas and keep improving.”
Up next for Old Dominion is another Big East conference matchup as they welcome Quinnipiac to L.R. Hill Sports Complex on Friday, Oct. 20 for senior day. The game is set for 2 p.m. The Lady Monarchs will then be on the road for their last two matches of the regular season. ODU will travel to Harrisonburg, VA to face JMU for their ‘Royal Rivalry’ matchup on Sunday, Oct. 22 and conclude the season in Storrs, CT when they meet UCONN on Friday, Oct. 27.
