MERION STATION, Pa -- Hannah De Gast delivered two goals and an assist to lift No.1 seed Massachusetts over No. 4 VCU in the Atlantic 10 Field Hockey Semifinals on Thursday at Ellen Ryan Field.

The Minutewomen (15-4) advance to their third straight title game and will face the winner of the second semifinal game between second-seeded Saint Joseph’s and third-seeded Richmond at noon on Saturday. The Minutewomen, the 2024 Regular Season Champions, are looking for their first A-10 championship title since 2016.
 
UMass, ranked 15th nationally, jumped to an early 1-0 lead over VCU in the first half. Elena Cloconeanu gave the Minutewomen their first goal in the first quarter on assists from De Gast and Izzy Acquaviva. De Gast later scored her first of two goals on a corner in the second quarter.

The Minutewomen never surrendered the lead tacking on two third quarter goals. De Gast added her second goal with an assist by Cloconeanu. Elani Sherwood provided UMass its fourth and final goal. Neva Eisenga had the assist for Sherwood.

Minutewomen goalkeeper Myrte Van Herwijnen recorded her sixth shutout of the season and made two saves. Rams goalie Tatum Anderson recorded four saves and allowed four goals.