COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The 13^th-ranked Saint Joseph's field hockey team saw its 2023 campaign come to a close on Friday as the Hawks fell to fifth-ranked Virginia, 2-1, in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Maryland's Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Virginia (13-6) carried the action early in the game, but it would be the Hawks with the first advantage, as Laura Janssen drew a green card with four and a half minutes to play in the first.  Unfortunately for the Hawks, Dani Mendez-Trendler converted on a penalty corner a minute and a half later to give Virginia the lead.
 
• The Hawks would find their footing in the second quarter, earning three corners, but goalkeeper Tyler Kennedy kept the Hawks at bay through the break.
 
• The Cavaliers would double their lead, again in a shorthanded situation, on a goal by Jans Croon on another corner with 4:37 to play in the third quarter.
 
• Saint Joseph's (16-5) answered quickly, as Manu Ghigliotti fired a shot on a corner that was stopped by Kennedy; the rebound came right back to Ghigliotti, who dribbled left and then fired home to get the Hawks back within a goal.
 
• The Hawks played some of their most spirited hockey of the season, fighting to the last minute and holding the Cavaliers without a shot over the final 19:37 of the contest.  Unfortunatey for the Crimson and Gray, the equalizer didn't come and the Cavaliers escaped with the victory.
 
BEHIND THE BOX SCORE
• Saint Joseph's outshot Virginia, 11-8, on the day and also held a 6-5 edge in penalty corners.
 
• Janelle Ward made two saves for the Hawks, while Kennedy had four stops for Virginia.
 
• The Hawks conclude their season at 16-5 and champions once again of the Atlantic 10.  SJU has won seven of the last eight regular season championships and six of the last seven tournament titles, and the Hawks have won 15 games or more in each of the last seven full seasons.