Sept. 7, 2008

Ferger's Offense Sparks Duke, Blue Devils Upset No. 5 Iowa

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Susan Ferger’s second goal of the afternoon came with just eight minutes left in the game to propel the No. 12 Duke field hockey team to a come-from-behind road win Sunday, as the Blue Devils defeated fifth-ranked Iowa 2-1 at Grant Field.

Iowa had gone up 1-0 and led at the half after a goal by Caitlin McCurdy 23 minutes in. Duke tied it up on Ferger’s first score of the afternoon, as she converted in the 41st minute off a rebound.

Tar Heels Roll To 11-0 Win In Home Opener

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina field hockey team opened its home season Sunday afternoon with an 11-0 win over visiting Georgetown at Francis E. Henry Stadium. Following back-to-back losses, the Tar Heels got hat tricks from senior Britt van Beek and Illse Davids as they improved to 2-2 on the year. Georgetown fell to 0-4.

"It felt great to be playing at home and get the kind of offensive output we did after a couple of close losses," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "I was pleased with the way we moved the ball today. We passed the ball better and I was really happy with the support on the ball and the options available to the ball carriers."

BC Field Hockey Tops Holy Cross 4-0

Chestnut Hill, MA - The Boston College women's field hockey team finished the weekend the way they started it, undefeated. The Eagles are now undefeated in their first four contests and have not allowed a goal in their last two games.

Senior forward Bob Dirks recorded a pair of goals to bring her season total to four, second on the team to linemate Chelsey Feole. Dirks scored her first goal and the only one the Eagles would need by dodging Holy Cross goalkeeper Erin Singleton when she came out to play the ball. Dirks dodged Singleton and put the ball in the cage to put BC up 1-0.

Cavaliers Down In-State Rival ODU, 2-0

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The 11th-ranked Virginia field hockey team won its fourth consecutive game, a 2-0 win over No. 8 Old Dominion, on Sunday on the University Hall Turf Field. The win marked the first for the Cavalier program over Old Dominion since 1996; the Monarchs had previously claimed the last 11 meetings between the two teams. Rookies Paige Selenski and Michelle Vittese tallied goals for the Orange and Blue.

“That was the most pressure we have dealt with so far this season,” Virginia head coach Michele Madison said. “We are continuing to improve as a team. The atmosphere out there today was good. I liked our players discussing things in a hockey way. That helps them coach each other on the field and talk through things.”

Deacons Down James Madison 3-1

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The No. 3 Wake Forest field hockey team handed seventh-ranked James Madison its first loss of the season, topping the Dukes 3-1 at Kentner Stadium.

With the win, the Demon Deacons are 4-0 heading into their first official conference matchup with Duke on Saturday in Winston-Salem. JMU is now 2-1 for 2008 play.

Terps Dominate Michigan in Field Hockey

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The second-ranked Maryland field hockey team dominated ninth-ranked Michigan, 5-1, tying for the most lopsided victory in the series on Sunday afternoon at Ocker Field in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Terrapins have scored 13 goals this weekend, after defeating No. 8 Old Dominion, 8-1, on Friday in College Park. Sophomore All-American Katie O'Donnell scored twice and assisted on another in the win.

"This was a breakout game for our team, both tactically and emotionally," said Maryland head coach Missy Meharg. "Each player brought a vigilant attitude to the competition in a very spirited Ann Arbor."