Wake Forest claimed its first national championship in a women's sport with a 2-0 win over Penn State in the Division I Field Hockey Championship game November 24 at Louisville.

The Demon Deacons' stingy defense helped them become part of an exclusive record -- matched only by the 1992 Old Dominion team -- of advancing through all four rounds of the tournament without allowing a goal.

It was the offense that made its mark in the first half, though, as Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year Kelly Doton opened the scoring in the 13th minute of the game, taking a pass from freshman Maeke Boreel and hammering it into the back of the cage to give the Deacons the 1-0 lead. Senior Heather Aughinbaugh finished the game's scoring a minute later, firing a shot that bounced off the post and into the net for the unassisted goal.

"I thought that Wake Forest was very good," Penn State coach Charlene Morett said. "They showed a lot of poise around the ball. They always had options around the ball. I thought that their goalie played outstanding. They really deserve a lot of credit."

The Demon Deacons' defense took control of the second half as Penn State was held to just one shot in the period, which failed. Wake Forest outshot Penn State, 12-4, and won the penalty corner battle by an 8-6 margin. Wake Forest goalkeeper Katie Ridd made four saves in getting her fifth straight shutout, while Penn State keeper Annie Zinkavich made nine stops, including seven in the second period.

"Our team motto all season has been not to want to be a champion, but to act like a champion," said Jennifer Averill, Wake Forest head coach. "Penn State has such a great squad with such great execution, so we knew what we had in front of us. But one of the most impressive aspects of our team is the power of the mind. It's a quality they've had instilled in them all season and it paid off today."

Wake Forest, which finished the season 20-2, advanced to the championship game with a 3-0 win over Michigan State, outshooting the Spartans, 17-3. Penn State defeated Old Dominion, 3-2, to advance to its first championship game.

Aughinbaugh, Doton and Ridd were joined by teammates Kelly Dostal and Lucy Shaw on the all-tournament team. Penn State's Heather Conroy, Jill Martz and Timarie Legel were honored along with Old Dominion senior Tiffany Snow and junior Angie Loy. Michigan State junior Alexandra Kyser rounded out the all-tournament squad.

Semifinals

First half: OD -- Tiffany Snow, 2:57; PS -- Timarie Legel, 17:46.

Second half: OD -- Tara Herrmann (Katie Moyer), 43:49; PS -- Mary Schaefer, 58:46; PS -- Timarie Legel (Jill Martz), 60:19.

Shots: Penn St. 14, Old Dominion 12. Goalkeeper saves: Penn St. (Annie Zinkavich) 6, Old Dominion (Marybeth Freeman) 6. Penalty corners: Penn St. 6, Old Dominion 8.

First half: WF -- Kelly Dostal, 30:40; WF -- Ariel Meyers (Kelly Dostal), 31:38.

Second half: WF -- Emily Ruth (Maeke Boreel), 38:36.

Shots: Michigan St. 3, Wake Forest 17. Goalkeeper saves: Michigan St. (Christina Kirkaldy) 11, Wake Forest (Katie Ridd) 1. Penalty corners: Michigan St. 6, Wake Forest 7.

Championship

First half: WF -- Kelly Doton (Maeke Boreel), 12:28; WF -- Heather Aughinbaugh, 15:12.

Shots: Wake Forest 12, Penn St. 4. Goalkeeper saves: Wake Forest (Katie Ridd) 4, Penn St. (Annie Zinkavich) 9. Penalty corners: Wake Forest 8, Penn St. 6.