The Shadow
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (VR) – The No. 11 Virginia field hockey team improved to 4-1 on the season Sunday with a dominant 7-0 shutout of James Madison at Turf Field.
Virginia controlled the match from the opening whistle, outshooting the Dukes 21-1 and holding a 13-0 advantage in shots on goal. The Cavaliers also earned nine penalty corners to JMU’s two.
Emma Watchilla opened the scoring at the 11:03 mark, redirecting a penalty-corner opportunity to give Virginia a 1-0 lead.
Caitlin Connell added her first goal of the afternoon at 26:11 before Mia Abello converted a penalty stroke with just over a minute remaining in the first half. Virginia carried a 3-0 lead into the break.
The Cavaliers continued to pressure James Madison after halftime. Connell set up Livvy Barker for a goal at 32:49, extending the lead to 4-0.
Catalina Quinteros scored at 46:58 after finishing a loose ball in front of the JMU cage. Connell then scored her second goal of the afternoon off a penalty corner, with assists from Amelie Rees and Mary Adams.
Adams capped the scoring with an unassisted goal at 57:50 to complete the 7-0 victory.
Six different Cavaliers scored in the match, with Connell leading the offensive effort with two goals and an assist.
Virginia goalkeeper Nilou Lempers played the first 45 minutes before Emma Giesting took over in the fourth quarter. Neither goalkeeper recorded a save as James Madison failed to put a shot on goal. JMU goalkeeper Lilly Sweeny made five saves.
Watchilla’s goal was her first of the season and the 13th of her career. Connell recorded her second and third goals of the season, while Abello added her third. Barker and Quinteros each scored their second goals of the season, while Adams recorded her first.
The seven goals marked Virginia’s highest-scoring game since the Cavaliers also scored seven against Temple in 2024.
Virginia will now turn its attention to ACC play, opening conference action with road matches against No. 9 Duke and No. 5 North Carolina.
