2017 Liberty Field Hockey Blog Aug. 15

Friday, Aug. 15, 2017

6:33 p.m.

We are heading back to Lynchburg from Richmond on the bus now. We took off from East Campus Field House just after 10 a.m. for our first exhibition game of 2017. For basically all of the ride there, it rained. As we got closer to Richmond, the rain picked up to a downpour.

Our locker room was in the basketball arena, the Robins Center. As we got ready to head over to the field, the rain subsided, and the sun appeared to be peering out from behind the clouds.

After warmups, it was time to get the party started at the steamy Crenshaw Field. Today was the first time where I inputted stats in StatCrew for field hockey, and it was a really good learning experience. Last year, I served as the caller/spotter, but this year, I want to broaden my skills and be able to enter stats at home contests.

We got off to a quick start, as Agui scored in the first four minutes of the game to put us ahead, 1-0. Richmond rebounded shortly after to tie the game at 1-1. The game went into a stalemate, with the score remained tied at 1 at halftime.

Agui scored her second goal of the day in the 44th minute on a penalty corner, assisted by Mal and Pippa. The Spiders once again answered the bell, countering with a tally of their own in the 53rd minute to even the score at 2 apiece.

Agui completed her hat trick with another short corner goal in the 62nd minute. This time, Ml and Alynn provided the assists. Just over a minute later, Alexis scored on a rebound from a shot from Jill shot, put us ahead, 4-2.

Victoria added a goal on a tip on a ball from Jill, putting Liberty up 5-2 at 66:50. Regulation time expired with the score at 5-2.

After a short break, both teams wanted to practice and simulate overtime, so we began a 15-minute sudden death overtime session. However, as the overtime session started, ominous clouds began rolling in. Just over seven minutes into the session, the day was halted because of lightning and an approaching storm.

We went back to the basketball arena and then headed up to the fourth floor terrace for a shared dinner with the Richmond team and staff. The aroma of barbecue from Mission BBQ wafted in the room. The meal was absolutely outstanding.

We are on the bus now on the way back from Richmond. Overall, it was a good start to the preseason considering training just began five days ago. We leave on Friday at noon for William & Mary and take on the Tribe in an exhibition contest on Saturday.