News Summary
The University of Richmond field hockey team faced a tough loss against Liberty University, ending with a score of 4-2. This defeat marks the Spiders’ third consecutive setback, despite their strong start to the season. Richmond showed resilience with goals from Amy Stripling and Valen Luna Paratore, but couldn’t overcome Liberty’s early lead and offensive pressure. The team is looking to bounce back in their upcoming match against Georgetown University.
Lynchburg, Virginia – The University of Richmond field hockey team suffered a disappointing defeat against Liberty University on September 7, 2025, falling 4-2 on the road. This loss was the Spiders’ third consecutive defeat, leaving the team searching for answers after a strong start to the season.
The game began on an aggressive note with Richmond’s senior midfielder Jess McMeeking making a shot on goal just 23 seconds into the match. However, Liberty’s defense was quick to respond, blocking the initial attempt and earning themselves a penalty corner opportunity just minutes later. The Flames capitalized on this chance, scoring the first goal of the game in the 4th minute, which set the tone for the remainder of the first quarter.
At the end of the initial quarter, Liberty held a firm lead over Richmond. The Flames continued to put pressure on the Spiders, outshooting them 5-1 in the second quarter. Despite the significant shooting disadvantage, Richmond showed resilience and managed to tie the game in the 24th minute with a penalty kick goal from first-year midfielder Amy Stripling. However, Liberty quickly responded, regaining the lead shortly before halftime, further complicating Richmond’s efforts to secure a victory.
In the third quarter, Liberty extended their lead to 3-1 with another goal scored from a penalty corner in the 35th minute. The Flames controlled the momentum, continuing to penetrate Richmond’s defense and creating scoring opportunities. Despite the Spiders’ attempts to close the gap, Liberty was able to add a fourth goal, putting Richmond in a difficult position as the game neared its conclusion.
Richmond did find a spark in the final minutes of the match when junior forward Valen Luna Paratore scored a goal with just five minutes remaining, reducing Liberty’s lead to 4-2. However, the momentum was fleeting, and despite a last-minute offensive push that included a potential goal-scoring opportunity from junior forward Clara Larripa — who missed wide in the closing seconds — the Spiders could not narrow the score any further. The match concluded with a score of Richmond 2, Liberty 4.
This defeat leaves Richmond with a 1-2 record on the season, a stark contrast to Liberty’s impressive start, now boasting a 3-0 record after notable victories over ranked opponents such as No. 5 Duke University and James Madison University.
Looking ahead, the Richmond Spiders are scheduled to face Georgetown University next. Historically, Richmond has had success against Georgetown, holding a 7-1 record in past meetings. The Spiders will strive to turn their season around during this upcoming home match, which is set to occur on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Following the game against Georgetown, Richmond will also travel to confront Old Dominion University on September 14, 2025, in hopes of breaking their current losing streak.
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Additional Resources
- University of Richmond News
- Wikipedia: Field Hockey
- The Collegian
- Google Search: Field Hockey 2025 season
- Old Dominion Sports
- Google Scholar: Field Hockey
- Syracuse University Athletics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Field Hockey
- Liberty Flames Athletics
- Google News: Richmond Spiders Field Hockey
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
