WASHINGTON, D.C. — After an incredible opening weekend, the Catholic University field hockey team recorded their first lost of 2023, 2-1, to Randolph-Macon.
 
The first quarter started off competitive as both teams utilized the entire field and controlled possession evenly. Mary Parker had the first shot of the game six minutes in and the Cardinals earned one penalty corner before the 15 minute mark, but the game remained scoreless.
 
The Yellow Jackets came out strong in the second quarter with a series of three shots and two corners, but the Cardinal defense withstood the pressure with stellar play. Senior Caroline Evans and freshman Lauren Keast were steady throughout the contest defensively for Catholic. The Cardinals regained control from here and began to push the offense. In the last three minutes of the half, Catholic took five total shots and earned three straight penalty corners. With 54 seconds to go in the half, junior forward Niki Micciche redirected a shot from sophomore defender Mary Rojack to score the first goal of the game. 
 
The game remained a battle as play resumed. Senior captain Gracie Burford made her second defensive save of the year off a Yellow Jacket penalty corner to keep her team in the lead, but a scramble for the ball ensued shortly after and Randolph-Macon's Lynn Giesken found the back of the cage, tying the score at 1-1.
 
Catholic did not back down. They put extensive pressure on opposing goalkeeper Valentina Ambrogi-Torres who recorded four saves in the quarter and had one additional shot go just wide. The Yellow Jackets were feeling the heat as they were issued two green cards and a yellow card. 
 
Into the fourth quarter the momentum still remained with the Cardinals. Senior midfielder Kellie Caputo initiated three penalty corners which resulted in great looks for Catholic but failed to crossed the goal line. With under five minutes to go in the game, Randolph-Macon quickly reversed the field and got a shot off. Sophomore goalie Abigail Kearney made a reaching save before an unlucky deflection allowed Isablla McNulty to squeak a goal by to put the Yellow Jackets up 2-1. Two shots from the Cardinals were stopped in the final minute of action before time expired. 
 
Catholic looks to get back in the win colum as they take on Dickinson on Saturday, September 9 at 1 p.m.