Sports > October 2, 2008

By Hailey Robbins | Staff writer

The Lady Deacon field hockey team had its eight game winning streak halted in a loss to the No. 3-ranked Maryland Terrapins Sept. 27 before defeating Longwood University 4-1 Sept. 29.

The Demon Deacons tout a 9-1 overall record, with a 1-1 record in ACC play.

In the highly anticipated match between the No. 1- and No. 3-ranked teams, junior Hilary Moore opened the game with an unassisted goal within the first minute of play, giving the Deacons the immediate lead.

“We went into the game having worked on our shape. We have the skill, players and talent, but sometimes get off balance,” head coach Jenn Averill said.

Shortly before the close of the half, the Terrapins tied the score 1-1 when Susie Rowe popped up the ball into the Wake cage.

The goal was Rowe’s 10th of the season.

After six minutes of play in the second half, Nicole Moracco put Maryland ahead with her seventh goal of the season.

With 25 minutes left on the clock, junior Aileen Davis scored on a penalty corner pass from senior Minou Gimbrere tying the game once more.

A controversial penalty corner call gave the Terrapins an opportunity to take the lead and Meghan Dean put what would be the game winning goal in the cage.

After the controversy the Terrapins seized the momentum.

Katie O’Donnell sealed Wake Forest’s fate when she was able to convert on a breakaway play, helped out by Nicole Muracco.

Maryland out shot the Deacs 15 to 9 overall and 9 to 4 in the second half.

“I was very pleased with the first twenty minutes, but at the half we needed to make some key changes and definitely didn’t when Maryland did,” Averill said. “

It was like we were playing against ourselves. Things we had been struggling with earlier in the season came back to hurt us. A good opponent will capitalize on that and win.”

The Lady Deacons bounced back by defeating Longwood University 4-1 on Sept. 29.

Less than two minutes into the game, Gimbrere scored off a penalty corner pass from junior Melissa Martin and senior Michelle Kasold.

Shortly thereafter, Longwood converted a penalty corner into a point on the board and freshman Goalkeeper Julia Young made her first ever college appearance, replacing senior Crystal Duffield.

Young, from Washington, D.C., participated in the Junior Olympics in 2004 and 2006, winning gold in 2006. Unable to stand a tie, Gimbrere scored again as the half drew to a close, beginning the edge to the Deacon victory.

Junior Regina Shannon increased the Deacon lead with her goal just shy of the 60 minute mark off a penalty stroke.

Eight minutes later, Kasold sealed the Deacon victory with a hard shot from the top of the circle, sailing past the defense and keeper for an unassisted goal.

“Before the game, I told the girls to enjoy the game and enjoy playing field hockey.After the game I told them simply, ‘well done,[‘“ assistant coach Dan Polders said.

The Lady Deacs next look to topple the Tar Heels and pick up an ACC victory when they travel to UNC-Chapel Hill on Oct. 4.

The Tar Heels have won seven straight games and are now 8-2 on the year and 1-0 in the ACC.