Box Score RICHMOND, Va. – The Saint Joseph's field hockey team saw its quest for an Atlantic 10 championship come to a heartbreaking end on Saturday as a late goal gave Massachusetts a 2-1 win in the title game at VCU's Cary Street Field.
After a back and forth opening half hour, Massachusetts (13-7) took the lead late in the first half as Izzie Delario took a pass from Sarah Hawkshaw and fired high into the cage for a 1-0 Minutewomen lead.
Melanie Kreusch had an opportunity to double the UMass lead with two minutes to play with a penalty stroke, but freshman goalkeeper Victoria Kammerinke dove to her right to turn away the high shot from the league's Defensive Player of the Year and keep the Hawks within a goal.
Saint Joseph's (15-6) settled in a bit more in the second half, but UMass enjoyed advantages in both shots and corners. Kammerinke and the Hawk defense stood tall, keeping the Minutewomen at bay.
The Hawks were finally able to break through for an equalizer with 8:19 to play as sophomore forward Anna Willocks converted on a penalty corner for her 25th goal of the year. After an insertion from senior midfielder Emily Nonnemacher and a stop by freshman midfielder Pepa Serrano, Willocks beat UMass goalkeeper Emily Hazard to tie the game.
Looking for a go-ahead goal, SJU kept up the pressure, but it was the Minutewomen who would break through for the winner as Nicole Miller bundled home a loose ball after a scramble on a corner with 3:30 to go.
The Crimson and Gray would have one last opportunity, earning a penalty corner as time expired, but the ball rolled wide and UMass escaped with the victory.
Kammerinke matched a season high with nine saves on the day while Hazard made two. The Minutewomen held a 21-5 advantage in shots and a 9-4 edge in corner opportunities.
Kammerinke, Serrano, and Willocks were named to the All-Championship Team. Kammerinke totaled 10 saves in the tournament, Willocks tallied two goals and an assist, and Serrano added a goal and two assists.
