Field Hockey Drops Opener Friday to No. 7 Virginia, 8-1

Friday, August 24

Buckley Field

3:30 p.m.

Drexel University

(0-1)

No. 7 Virginia

(1-0)

Virginia

Drexel

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Field Hockey Drops Opener Friday to No. 7 Virginia, 8-1

8/24/2018 5:20:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - No. 7 Virginia scored seven unanswered goals over the final 55 minutes Friday afternoon at Buckley Field as the Drexel field hockey team fell in its 2018 season opener, 8-1. The Dragons open the year 0-1, while Virginia opens 1-0.

The Cavaliers got on the board first on an unassisted tally from Peyton Tollaksen at the 13:40 mark. Less than four minutes later, off the penalty corner, freshman Avery Powell found the back of the cage for the first time in her career.

Virginia, however, despite dealing with turnover on offense from last year to 2018, turned up the pressure and never looked back, scoring the game's next seven goals to close out the victory. Tollaksen and Greer Gill scored 45 seconds apart to begin the separation six minutes after Powell's goal. The Cavaliers would get three more before the half to pull away — from Makayla Gallen at 27:05; from Grace Wallis at 30:30; and from Izzy McDonough with 36 seconds left on the clock.

Virginia took its foot off the gas and the Dragons shored up their defense in the second half after the Cavaliers scored two quick goals. Amber Ezechiels put one past Drexel keeper Kathryn Boyce 12:56 seconds into the final half. Wallis then scored her second of the game less than two minutes later to make it 8-1 as the Cavaliers went on to victory.

Boyce made eight saves for the Dragons on 16 shots faced before being relieved by redshirt freshman Alexis Sokach, who made two stops in her first collegiate action. Carrera Lucas got the win for Virginia as the defense held Drexel to one shot on goal. Virginia used crisp passing to dominate the possession and outshoot Drexel, 26-4.

The Dragons return to Buckley Field Sunday at Rider in a game beginning at noon. The game will be streamed live on Dragons TV.