MERION STATION, Pa. – No. 2 VCU and third-seeded Massachusetts faced off in a thriller at Ellen Ryan Field Saturday afternoon in the Atlantic 10 Field Hockey Championship Semifinals, with the Rams edging UMass 2-1 thanks to a 3-2 shootout win.
 
VCU will face No.1 Saint Joseph’s in Saturday's Championship Final at 1:00 pm ET in a rematch of the 2020-21 championship.
 
UMass recorded the first goal in the first half on a penalty corner by Emilie Keij, leading the Rams 1-0 at the end of the first quarter. At 16:28, VCU’s Litiana Wetzel responded with an equalizer, with help from Janne Wetzel, forcing a tie leading into halftime.
 
In a fast-paced second half, neither team could gain an advantage thanks to outstanding defensive play. UMass’ goalkeeper Marlise van Tonder, allowed one goal, and made four saves in regulation, while VCU’s Sasha Elliot allowed one goal and made one save in regulation.
 
A scoreless double overtime led to an instant classic of a shootout that went six rounds.  Svea Sturm gave VCU an advantage in the sixth round, and Sasha Elliot of VCU secured the Rams' ticket to the final with a save on UMass's last chance shot.
 
van Tonder made one save in overtime and Elliot stopped two in the extra periods. Elliott stopped four shots in the shootout and van Tonder turned back three. Overall, VCU led in shots, 10-7 and penalty corners, 4-3.