Virginia Lottery presents today's UMW Athletics Throwback Moment. Today, we look back to the Eagle field hockey team's march to the final four with a 20-2 record, and a thrilling win at #1 ranked Salisbury University.
Senior midfielder Lisa Charney scored twice in the final 14 minutes as the seventh-ranked University of Mary Washington field hockey team overcame a 2-0 deficit in the final 14 minutes to defeat previously undefeated #1 Salisbury University, 3-2, at Salisbury's homecoming on Saturday evening. The Eagles improve to 14-1 on the season, and defeat the Sea Gulls for the first time since 2001.
Mary Washington's offense fell silent for much of the night, as the Eagles didn't register a shot in the first half, with Salisbury taking just four shots in the opening frame. The Sea Gulls opened the scoring with 25 minutes remaining, and added a penalty stroke goal with 15 minutes left to take a 2-0 lead.
But the Eagles responded, as Charney scored on a Caitlin Baker assist just one minute after the stroke to cut the deficit to 2-1. Then, just 1:16 later, freshman Jenna Steele scored on another Baker feed to tie the score.
Then, with just under two minutes remaining, Charney drove upfield and into the circle and blasted a high shot past the Salisbury keeper and into the cage, giving UMW its first lead at 3-2. The Eagles held on for their first victory over a number-one ranked opponent since they defeated Salisbury in 2001, when the Gulls were 11-0 and ranked first in the nation.
"The girls came out ready to play", said UMW head coach and former Salisbury All-American Lindsey Elliott. "In the second half, we we did a better job of going to goal. The girls did a great job of fighting back and finishing the game. It's a great feeling to be beat a top-ranked team."
Salisbury led in shots, 17-9. Senior goalkeeper Claire Gianelle had six saves in goal for Mary Washington, while Rachel Clewer didnt register a save for Salisbury.
"Today was an amazing win and a complete team effort", said Charney afterward. "We worked together and came back to defeat the number one team in the nation! I have never been so proud to be a part of a team so special that plays together and plays for each other. It's an absolute euphoric feeling that we will never forget."