© 2000
The United States Field Hockey Association

The US Field Hockey Web Site was designed and maintained by the US Field Hockey Sports & Public Information Office

US Women's Field Hockey Downs Wake Forest, 8-3, in Collegiate Challenge

Winston-Salem, N.C. - The U.S. women’s national team displayed a wide array of its offensive arsenal and survived a fired-up Wake Forest attack to post an 8-3 win in the third game of the USA’s Collegiate Challenge.

Seven USA players scored goals  in the victory while improving the team’s record on the tour to 3-0. The USA’s  four-game tour of last year’s NCAA semifinalists concludes Saturday at Princeton Univ.

“We scored a few goals and the team has really enjoyed its time here ,” said U.S. assistant coach Tess Ellis, who was filling in for U.S. head coach Tracey Belbin who is currently attending an FIH coaching clinic in Cologne, Germany. “The hospitality at Wake Forest has been amazing. Their team played extremely well tonight. They hung in there tough and took advantage of our defense in some areas where I thought we were a little bit lacking.  That’s something we need to tidy up in the next couple of weeks”

The USA got on the board in the fourth minute as Jill Reeve connected on a penalty corner to give the USA a quick 1-0 lead. But minutes later, Wake Forest’s Emily Ruth stunned the USA and brought the Kentner Stadium crowd to its feet with the collegians first goal of the tour to tie the game at 1-1.

Wake Forest would strike again to pull within 3-2 with 7 minutes remaining in the first half on Kelly Doton’s goal,  but it would be as close as the Demon Deacons would get as Tracey Fuchs and Melanie Meerschwam  added goals in the final minutes of the first half to give the U.S. at 5-2 halfftime lead.

“They had a lot of fun,” said Wake Forest coach Jen Averill on her team’s performance. “I was really proud of the way they came out and really took the opportunity and seized it and didn’t back down. It was beautiful execution on the part of the U.S. when they did capitalize and pick us apart, but I’m just really proud that we created opportunities and gave ourselves a chance. That’s really the most appealing part of this is just knowing that they really enjoyed themselves.”

Wake Forest graduate Jenny Everett (’01) became the third U.S. player during the Collegiate Challenge in as many games to victimize her alma materl as the former Demon Deacon scored the USA’s third goal of the game in the – minute. The USA’s Kelly Gannon scored against her alma mater in a 1-0 USA win at Michigan, while Maryland All-America Carla Tagliente scored a pair of goals against the Terrapins in a 10-0 USA victory.

Claire Lawthorn added the fijal goal for Wake Forest in the 39^th minute while Fuchs, Carrie Lingo, Kelli Gannon and Abbey Woolley completed the scoring for the U.S.

Demon Deacon goalkeeper Katie Ridd collected 14 saves, while U.S. keepers Peggy Storrar and Jill Dedman combined for the win.

Thursday, Sept. 5 at Winston-Salem, N.C.

USA 8,  Wake Forest 3
USA: Jill Reeve (pc, 4:00)
WFU: Emily Ruth (fg, 8:00)
USA: Tracey Fuchs (fg, 12:00)
WFU: Kelly Doton (pc, 28:00)
USA: Tracey Fuchs (pc, 31:00)
USA: Melanie Meerschwam (fg, 34:00)
USA: Carrie Lingo (pc, 37:00)
WFU: Claire Lawhorn (pc, 40:00)
USA: Kelli Gannon (pc, 43:00)
USA: Abbey Woolley (pc, 59:00)

 
USA Starters Peggy Storrar (gk), Melanie Meerschwam, Tracey Larson, Kelli Gannon, Tracey Fuchs, Keli Smith, Katie Beach, Carla Tagliente, Jill Reeve, Carrie Lingo, Kate Barber

Subs: Tara Jelley, Jenny Everett, Robyn Kenney, Abbey Woolley, Natalie Dawson, Jill Dedman (gk, 35:00)

Wake Forest Starters: Heather Aughinbaugh, Kelly Doton, Maria Whitehead, Kelly Dostal, Lynne Shenk, Kelly Wood, Lucy Shaw, Maeke Boreel, Emilty Ruth, Claire Laubach, Katie Ridd (gk)
Subs: Merrilee Robbins (gk, 66:00), Martha Ferger, Antoinette Baines, Merilee  Robbins, Claire Lawthorn, Ariel Meyers

Cards: none
Umpires: Jade Carvahlo, Lynn Carrino