September 13, 1998

RICHMOND, Va. - Sophomore Jenny Everett scored three goals and senior Kelly Simon added a goal and an assist as the Wake Forest field hockey team defeated Virginia Commonwealth 5-1 Sunday afternoon at Cary Street Field.

The victory was the first of the season for Wake Forest, which narrowly missed being ranked in the preseason top 20 poll. Virginia Commonwealth fell to 2-2

The Demon Deacons took control early scoring two goals in the first six minutes. Simon struck first for Wake Forest with 30:41 remaining in the first half. The Demon Deacons took a 2-0 lead 90 seconds later when freshman Nienke van Ruiten scored off an assist from Simon.

Wake Forest picked up where it left off in the second half striking for three goals by Everett in a span of 6:54. A native of Rutland, Va., Everett did not score in the Demon Deacons first three games, but ended that drought with the third Wake Forest goal of the afternoon with 29:06 left.

Four minutes later, Everett tallied again, this time from van Ruiten to give the Demon Deacons a 4-0 lead. She completed the hat trick with a penalty shot with 22:10 left.

Virginia Commonwealth got on the board when senior Colleen Engelhard hit Jenna Stewart in front of the Wake Forest goal. Stewart, a native of Virginia Beach, Va., tallied her team-high third goal of the season.

The Rams hit the road and open up Colonial Athletic Association play at James Madison on Wednesday. Virginia Commonwealth does not return home until September 26 when the Rams play Radford.

Next up for Wake Forest, 1-3, is a game at Duke on Wednesday.

Wake Forest  2 3 - 5
VCU          0 1 - 1

First Half - 1. Wake Forest, Kelly Simon 2 (unassisted) 30:41. 2. Wake Forest, Nienke van Ruiten 2 (Kelly Simon) 29:11.

Second Half - 3. Wake Forest, Jenny Everett 1 (unassisted) 29:06. 4. Wake Forest, Jenny Everett 2 (van Ruiten) 25:05. 5. Wake Forest, Jenny Everett 3 (penalty stroke) 22:10. 6. Virginia Commonwealth, Jenna Stewart 3 (Colleen Engelhard) 12:22.

Shots on goal - Wake Forest 7-11 18. VCU 0-1 1.

Penalty Corners - Wake Forest 5-2 7. VCU 3-2 5.

Goalies - Wake Forest, Meghan Nitka (0 shot-0 saves), Jamie Tressler (entered 35:00 2nd half, 1-0). VCU, Jodi Dodson (3-1), Jennifer Burroughs (entered 26:15 1st, 15-12).

Cards - Wake Forest, Jenny Everett (green) 9:28, 2nd half.