The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- December 7, 1998

Old Dominion regains field hockey throne with victory over Princeton

Old Dominion succeeded in returning to the top in Division I field hockey by defeating Princeton, 3-2, November 22 at Pennsylvania.

"This win was very special for me," said Beth Anders, Old Dominion head coach. "This group of kids is very special to me. I believe in my kids, that is why I push them so hard. Every win was a great win for these girls."

Anders and Old Dominion now own eight national titles, which is more than any school since the tournament began in 1981. It had been five years since the Monarchs had claimed the championship.

The Monarchs got on the scoreboard first when Mimi Smith set up Marina DiGiacomo at the 29:13 mark for a first-half goal. Old Dominion would take a 2-0 lead into the half, thanks to Kim Miller's unassisted score with 16:52 remaining in the first period.

The Tigers appeared to have scored with five minutes left in the first half, but the goal was disallowed.

"We were frustrated when our goal was disallowed," said senior Kirsty Hale. "You think you are on a roll and you get in a rhythm and then it's gone because you really didn't score. It was very disappointing."

Princeton went into half time trailing, 2-0, and was being outshot, 8-4, but the Tigers came alive in the second half.

"We knew Princeton would come back hard after half time," said Anders. "We also knew that we had to go out there today and take the game ourselves; Princeton was not going to just give it to us."

Princeton scored early in the second half when Kirsty Hale was assisted by Robin Dwyer, but DiGiacomo answered with her second goal of the championship to give the Monarchs a 3-1 lead.

"We put more pressure on our attack in the second half, which helped us score two goals and put us back in the game," said Beth Bozman, Princeton's head coach.

Allison Morris gave Princeton the final goal of the game off assists from Christine Hunsicker and Hale with 10:41 remaining in the game.

It was Princeton's second appearance in the championship game. The Tigers and Old Dominion were runners-up to North Carolina in 1996 and 1997, respectively.

Princeton earned the right to vie for the national title by defeating Connecticut, 4-1, in semifinal action, while Old Dominion knocked Virginia out of the tournament by a 3-0 count.

SEMIFINALS

Virginia 0 0 -- 0

Old Dominion 3 0 -- 3

First half: OD -- Julie Miracle (Marina DiGiacomo), 33:31; OD -- Kim Miller (unassisted), 10:22; OD -- DiGiacomo (unassisted), 5:58.

Shots: Virginia 6, Old Dominion 18. Goalkeeper saves: Virginia (Becky Worthington) 8, Old Dominion (Jamie Hill) 1. Penalty corners: Virginia 10, Old Dominion 8.

Princeton 2 2 -- 4

Connecticut 1 0 -- 1

First half: C -- Nicole Castonguay (Katherine Boyle, Alison Sharpe), 23:11. P -- Hilary Matson (unassisted), 12:17. P -- Matson (unassisted), 3:25.

Second half: P -- Kirsty Hale (unassisted), 18:12; P -- Hale (Ann Marie Reich), 13:15.

Shots: Princeton 13, Connecticut 8. Goalkeeper saves: Princeton (Meg DeJong) 5, Connecticut (Danielle Vile) 5. Penalty corners: Princeton 5, Connecticut 7.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Princeton 0 2 -- 2

Old Dominion 2 1 -- 3

First half: OD -- Marina DiGiacomo (Mimi Smith), 29:13; OD -- Kim Miller (unassisted), 16:52.

Second half: P -- Kirsty Hale (Robin Dwyer), 25:30; OD -- DiGiacomo (Kelly Driscoll, Ashleigh Miller), 13:15; P -- Alison Morris (Christine Hunsicker, Kirsty Hale), 10:41.

Shots: Princeton 13, Old Dominion 16. Goalkeeper saves: Princeton (Meg DeJong) 10, Old Dominion (Jamie Hill) 7. Penalty corners: Princeton 7, Old Dominion 10.