Nov. 9, 2003

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Wake Forest Demon Deacons captured their second straight ACC Field Hockey Championship on Sunday afternoon at Turf Field on the University of Virginia campus after defeating the Duke Blue Devils, 3-2 in overtime. Junior Kelly Dostal led the charge for the Demon Deacs with two goals, including the game-winner in overtime.

The Demon Deacons got on top early scoring the game's first goal a minute and 54 seconds into the game. Junior Kelly Dostal netted her second goal of the tournament and team leading 23rd of the season. Senior Katie Ackerman was credited with an assist on the play to give Wake Forest the 1-0 lead.

Wake's goal would be the only score of the half as both teams played stifling defense allowing a total of five shots on goal with the Demon Deacons owning four and the Blue Devils one.

Duke tied the score at 1-1 in the 40th minute of play when the Blue Devils were awarded their second penalty corner of the game. From 15 yards out, junior Gracie Sorbello fired a shot on a goal that was saved by keeper Katie Ridd. The Wake Forest defensive was unable to clear the ball as Duke's Chrissie Murphy took the loose ball and scored for her first goal of the championship.

The Blue Devils went on top 2-1 in the 44th minute when Murphy scored her second goal of the afternoon. Sorbello found Murphy streaking toward the goal as Murphy's shot beat Ridd for the Blue Devils first lead of the game.

Wake Forest quickly countered as the Demon Deacons tied the score at 2-2 off a penalty corner in the 54th minute of action. Freshman Lauren Crandall was credited with the goal off an assist from junior Claire Laubach. It was Crandall's first goal of the tournament.

Both teams played scoreless hockey in the final 16 minutes and 51 seconds to send the game into overtime for just the seventh time in ACC finals history.

In the first overtime, Wake Forest would claim their second consecutive ACC Field Hockey Championship when Dostal scored her second goal of the game. Meyers found Dostal running toward the net and fed her a pass toward the Duke goal. The shot by Dostal found the back of the net for the game winner.

The 2003 Atlantic Coast Conference All-Tournament Team
Kelly Doton, Wake Forest (MVP)
Kelly Dostal, Wake Forest
Lucy Shaw, Wake Forest
Ariel Meyers, Wake Forest
Hilary Linton, Duke
Johanna Bischof, Duke
Brooke Johnson, Maryland
Paula Infante, Maryland
Karen Mann, North Carolina
Rachel Dawson, North Carolina
Mia Link, Virginia

ACC Freshman of the Year
Rachel Dawson, North Carolina

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