The NCAA News - News and Features

December 1, 1997

North Carolina wins third consecutive I field hockey crown

North Carolina tallied its third consecutive Division I Field Hockey Championship and fourth title overall with a 3-2 victory over Old Dominion November 23 at Connecticut.

Old Dominion (22-3) took the lead in the first half after Marina DiGiacomo rifled an unassisted goal at 26:34. But the Tar Heels (20-3) responded with three goals of their own.

Cindy Werley smacked the ball into the goal unassisted with 7:25 left to go in the first half. Then, teammate Nancy Pelligreen gave North Carolina a 2-1 lead when a slap shot found the back of the goal at 3:16 before the mid-game break.

North Carolina got its third point off the stick of Joy Driscoll, assisted by Werley, with 23:23 left on the game clock.

The Lady Monarchs were not finished yet. Old Dominion's Kim Miller scored with 22:44 remaining in the game, but it was not enough.

North Carolina head coach Karen Shelton commended Old Dominion on its play.

"We have great respect for them, and they seem to bring out good play in us," she said. "This game really could have gone either way. We're just thrilled to come out with a win today."

North Carolina reached the finals by defeating Princeton, 4-3, in the first semifinal game November 21. The Tar Heels scored first when Pelligreen found the net in the first four minutes after an assist from Werley. Werley added another assist when she fed Kate Barber at 6:49 in the first half, then Barber returned the favor when Werley scored at the 19-minute mark.

Princeton (16-4) got two goals from Hillary Matson, but North Carolina's Kristen McCann scored what proved to be the game-winner with an unassisted goal.

Old Dominion earned its berth in the championship game by beating Virginia, 3-2.

The Lady Monarchs took the 1-0 lead in the first 10 minutes with an unassisted goal from Heather Simon, and teammate Heather Eastburn followed up 10 minutes later with another unassisted goal. Then, Mimi Smith posted the game-winning goal off a corner shot with a dual assist from Kelly Driscoll and Joey Evans.

Virginia (19-3) scored twice -- on goals by Meredith Elwell and Lorraine Vizzuso -- to tighten up the final score.

North Carolina's Barber, Driscoll, Pelligreen and Werley were named to the all-tournament team. The Lady Monarchs were represented by DiGiacomo, Kelly Driscoll, Mimi Smith and Staci Smith. Other members included Amy MacFarlane and Matson of Princeton and Meredith Thorpe of Virginia.

SEMIFINALS

North Caro. -- 3 -- 1 -- 4

Princeton -- 1 -- 2 -- 3

First half: NC -- Nancy Pelligreen (Cindy Werley), 31:28; P -- Hillary Matson (Adrienne Breslin), 28:32; NC -- Kate Barber (Werley), 28:11; NC -- Werley (Barber), 16:00.

Second half: P -- Matson (Molly O'Malley), 27:06; NC -- Kristen McCann (unassisted), 22:55; P -- O'Malley (Amy MacFarlane), 17:11.

Shots: North Caro. 17, Princeton 7. Goalkeeper saves: North Caro. (Jana Withrow) 3, Princeton (Gia Fruscione) 10. Penalty corners: North Carolina 6, Princeton 7.

Old Dominion -- 3 -- 0 -- 3

Virginia -- 0 -- 2 -- 2

First half: ODU -- Heather Simon (unassisted), 25:05; ODU -- Heather Eastburn (unassisted), 15:31; ODU -- Mimi Smith (Kelly Driscoll, Joey Evans), 3:36.

Second half: V -- Meredith Elwell (Laura Lindsay), 32:44; V -- Lorraine Vizzuso (Meredith Thorpe), 19:01.

Shots: Old Dominion 10, Virginia 7. Goalkeeper saves: Old Dominion (Staci Smith) 4; Virginia (Becky Worthington 1, Ellen Wiese 1) 2. Penalty corners: Old Dominion 9, Virginia 7.

CHAMPIONSHIP

North Caro. -- 2 -- 1 -- 3

Old Dominion -- 1 -- 1 -- 2

First half: ODU -- Marina DiGiacomo (unassisted), 26:34; UNC -- Cindy Werley (unassisted), 7:26; NC -- Nancy Pelligreen (unassisted), 3:16.

Second half: UNC -- Joy Driscoll (Werley), 23:23; ODU -- Kim Miller (unassisted), 22:44.

Shots: North Caro. 11, Old Dominion 8. Goalkeeper saves: North Caro. (Jana Withrow) 4; Old Dominion (Staci Smith) 7. Penalty corners: North Caro. 3, Old Dominion 7.