The Loyola women's lacrosse team held off No. 8 Virginia in a defensive battle Wednesday night.
The Greyhounds came up with the 7-6 win, knocking off their first top 10 competitor of the season. This is the seventh straight year that the underdog has been victorious in the series with Virginia.
Loyola (2-4) held the Cavaliers scoreless for nearly the entire first half. Greyhounds Freshman Taylor VanThof hit the game's first goal, followed by a pair of goals from senior Maddy Blakeman to give Loyola the 3-0 advantage.
Sophomore Frankie Kamely scored giving the Greyhounds 4. Virginia scored on a free position to end the half 4-1.
In the second half, Blakeman recorded her first hat trick of the season. Loyola increased their lead to 5-2. The Cavaliers found their stride in the second half stringing together three goals with under four minutes to play. Down by just one, Virginia tried to tie the game, but a turnover by senior Maddy Lesher allowed Loyola to just run down the clock.
In the net, senior goalie Molly Wolf rejected seven shots and caused two turnovers with three ground balls.
Loyola opens Patriot League competition Tuesday hosting American at 7 p.m.
