Hawks Bid For Fourth Consecutive Title Falls Short in 2 – 0 Loss in Championship Game
April 24, 2021 –
The Saint Joseph’s Hawks looked for a fourth consecutive conference field hockey championship, but were denied by the top-seeded VCU Rams 2 – 0 at Cary Street Stadium. The Rams are the title holders for the first time in program history.
In a game closely contested throughout, the teams went into the fourth quarter in a scoreless tie. VCU broke that tie when Lonica McKinney scored off a rebound in just under the first two minutes of the final stanza. Nearly 9 minutes later Georgia Carr-Brown would deflect a long shot from the right wing for the insurance goal.
Hawks goal keeper Robin Bleekemolen faced 7 shots on goal and made 5 saves. Saint Joe’s put 5 on goal, but none got by Sasha Elliott, who was named the Most Outstanding Player in the tournament. The Hawks did not convert on 3 penalty corners.
McKinney had 4 shots, 2 on goal for VCU. Sara Hayes and Cassidy Hutchinson each recorded 2 shots one on the cage for both. Three Hawks put a shot on goal, Lilly Santi, Emily Peters, and Jordan Olenginski.
Peters and Anna Miller made the All-Championship team.
Nationally ranked VCU will go the the NCAA Tournament as the Atlantic 10 representative. It is the first time a team other than Saint Joseph’s hoisted the trophy since 2016.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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