SPORTS

 

Davidson needed just 64 seconds to find the back of the cage as field hockey cruised to a non-conference victory over Central Michigan at Belk Turf Field Thursday night, 4-1.

“Tonight’s win was a truly balanced team performance,” said coach Zoe Almquist. “I think our attack was varied and successful on a few different types of plays. Our forward and midfield lines got to showcase their speed tonight as well. Our defense played tough down the stretch with some late pressure from Central. I think we are really coming along as a team.”

Wildcat senior Valerie Hajek opened her 2021 scoring account quickly into the contest, redirecting a Lena Steibing service past the Chippewas netminder for the early Davidson edge.

The action settled down until the final horn of the first, but the second quarter was all Davidson. Senior Nellie Turnage sent back a blocked shot to double the score. Within minutes, Julia Smith led Hajek with a beautiful outlet pass down the middle of the field and it was off to the races with just the keeper to beat for her second of the night.

Down 3-0 at the break, the Chippewas showed life in the third, scoring off a corner opportunity, but Turnage’s second goal of the evening in the final minutes put it away for good. Turnage snuck one through off a Natalie Naticchia pass to cement the 4-1 win.

Drops Saturday Match Against Richmond

The Davidson field hockey team concluded its six-game homestand with a 1-0 loss to Richmond Saturday at Belk Turf Field.

The day’s only score came early in the third quarter when Richmond’s Sutton Orndorff converted near post.  

“I thought today’s game was really well-matched,” said coach Zoe Almquist. “We had a lot of opportunities, but unfortunately didn’t manage to capitalize. Field hockey is truly a game of inches and today Richmond was just an inch better than us. I am so pleased at how far we’ve come along — so while it hurts to be just an inch off, I’m excited for what it could mean for the rest of our season.”

Davidson had a 5-3 shots-on-goal advantage, with Julia Smith, Charlie Kabelac, Caitlyn Gund, Natalie Naticchia and Corynne Hammit firing shots.

Richmond threatened throughout with eight corners to Davidson’s four.

Up Next
After playing six straight at home, the Wildcats head to the road for four of their next five, beginning with a trip to VCU Friday, March 26 at 3 p.m.