Sports > November 15, 2007

By Hailey Robbins | Staff writer

In the first round of NCAA playoffs, the Demon Deacons faced off against Michigan State University, defeating them for the second time this season to continue on to the second round against University of Michigan.

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The Deacs hope to earn another NCAA title as they move into the Final Four. (Andrew Imboden/Old Gold & Black)

The two wins this weekend advanced the Deacons’ overall record to 16-5 and marks the eighth consecutive time the field hockey team has advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA tournament.

“It’s a really great accomplishment,” said senior Lauren Love. “We worked hard throughout the season, and fought adversity. We had a rough start to the week, but we came together the second game and played well. The tournament is make or break time, and we definitely made it,”

Held at a stalemate for nearly an entire half, sophomore Regina Shannon scored at the 25-minute mark to give the Demon Deacons a 1-0 lead off a corner. Twenty-two minutes later, Michigan State tied off an unassisted shot. Unable to accept such a narrow margin, the Deacons responded a minute-and-a-half later with a goal from freshman Emily Cummings.

With less than five minutes in regulation play, Michigan State once more capitalized on a lift past junior goalkeeper Crystal Duffield, tying the score two-all. Junior Michelle Kasold recorded both her eighth goal of the season and the game-winner as the clock hit 67 minutes.

Duffield recorded seven saves against Michigan State, her second time recording seven saves against State, and her second-highest save mark of the season.

After the loss to the Demon Deacons, Michigan State ended its season with a 16-6 record.

In their second 3-2 victory of the weekend, the Deacons defeated the University of Michigan Wolverines for the second time this season to advance to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.

The Deacons began the match attempting to recover from an early goal by University of Michigan’s Sarah Wilhite in the 18th minute of play, rebounding off a shot blocked by Duffield.

The lead for the Wolverines expired two minutes later when senior Chelsea Cipriani and Kasold offered two immediate goals, giving Wake the 2-1 lead. Ten minutes into the second half, the Wolverines closed the gap, tying the score 2-2.

Responding immediately, sophomore Aileen Davis recorded the goal off a shot from junior Minou Gimbrere, giving Wake the 3-2 lead and victory over University of Michigan.

“We pick up the intensity after we get scored on. We try and start with that same intensity and not have to come back, but you always get more fire to win after you are down,” Cipriani said.

Although outshot 14-11 by the Wolverines, the Deacons’ nine shots on goal versus five on behalf of their opponents allowed the Deacs to advance to the next round of the tournament.

Duffield recorded another three saves for the weekend, bringing her weekend save total to 10 saves.

University of Michigan fell to an overall record of 16-7 with the Deacon loss. “Both games were a tough fight, the tournament is one (loss) and done (with the season), so everyone shows up,” Cipriani said.

The Demon Deacons next face Penn State at the University of Maryland Nov. 16. Both teams upset the No. 2 University of Maryland at the close of their seasons, the Deacons in ACC tournament play and Penn State to advance to the Final Four last weekend.

“We just think of the other team as an opponent,” Lovee said. “They never have a name, color or face. They are just in the way of our championship win, the win we deserve.”

The winner of that match will advance to the finals of the NCAA tournament, held 12 p.m. Nov. 18.