RICHMOND, Va. — Saint Louis University field hockey took a 1-1 tie into the fourth quarter Friday afternoon, but VCU scored three times in the final 12 minutes to defeat the Billikens, 4-1, at Cary Street Field.
Saint Louis, which falls to 2-6 overall and 0-2 in Atlantic 10 play, grabbed the early lead when Maddie Croghan scored at the 17:03 mark. Croghan dribbled through the VCU defense before finding the back of the cage for her first goal of the season.
VCU (4-4, 2-0 A-10) answered late in the second quarter, with Josefina Ventimiglia converting a short-corner opportunity at 29:57 to send the teams into halftime tied at 1-1.
The Rams took control in the fourth quarter. Ventimiglia converted a penalty stroke at 48:28 to put VCU ahead, 2-1. Mackenzie White added a goal at 51:42 off a penalty corner, and Cameron Butler capped the scoring at 55:20, tapping in a rebound following a save.
VCU finished with a 19-4 advantage in shots and earned 13 penalty corners compared to one for the Billikens. Saint Louis goalie Abby Schalow made eight saves, while VCU goalie Emma Clements stopped three shots.
Saint Louis returns to action on Sunday when it takes on #25 Old Dominion in Norfolk, Va. Game time is 10 a.m. CT.
