Sports > October 25, 2007

By Hailey Robbins | Staff writer

The No. 3 Wake Forest Demon Deacon field hockey team shutout No. 19 University of Virginia on Oct. 20.

This marked junior goalie Crystal Duffield’s first shut out of the season and the Demon Deacons’ sixth consecutive win, advancing to 11-4 overall.

Starting the game with back-and-forth play, several members of the Wake offense offered forth shots, all blocked by Virginia goalie Devon Burnley.

Still scoreless halfway into the first period, Wake offense picked up speed when at the 20:15 mark, senior Chelsea Cipriani scored off a penalty corner shot taken by junior Minou Gimbrere.

“I was really impressed by our organization and cohesion,” Head Coach Jen Averill said. “I could tell from the warm up (the Virginia) game was (going to be) great. The girls were in a completely different zone, the overall energy was phenomenal.”

Minutes later, Virginia attempted to tie the score with a shot off a penalty corner, which Duffield saved.

“We talked a lot about corners before the game,” Duffield said.

“We knew they were going to hit straight for my hands, and when the shots always came to my hands, I was ready to block them.”

Over the next 10 minutes, the Deacons peppered the UVA goal with shots, all blocked, until at the 32:06 mark, sophomore Melissa Martin scored from the left side, increasing the lead 2-0.

“The scoring was very evenly distributed, I couldn’t have asked for more,” Averill said. “That game was a huge boost of confidence. ACC opponents bring out the best in (our team.)”

Entering the second half with a furious force, the Deacons offered two shots immediately, both blocked by Burnley.

At the 39:36 mark, freshman Emily Cummings gave the Deacons a three-point lead.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Virginia offense stormed towards the Deacon backfield, but a rock solid defensive line and unstoppable Duffield rejected any hope of a goal.

“Duffield really stepped up and played phenomenally,” Averill said. “The whole team dynamic was completely different from (last weekend). We always focus on how we can improve (as a team).”

The Demon Deacons out shot the University of Virginia 17-7, causing the No. 19 team to fall to 0-4 in ACC play.

Cipriani and Gimbrere offered five shots each, Martin and sophomore Regina Shannon placed four together on the board, and junior Liz Fries, sophomore Raisa Schiller and Cummings all placed shots in Virginia territory.

“Our goal as a team was to keep spacing, use the wings and work on the backfield movement,” Duffield said. “We definitely accomplished our goals and that showed in our game.”

Next, the Deacons take on ACC rival Boston College, concluding their regular season at 1 p.m. Oct. 28 at home.

They then prepare for the ACC Tournament held Nov. 1-4 in Chestnut Hill, Mass.