June 30, 2006

Virginia assistant coach Alex Kyser had the first assist of the game as Midwest defeated New Jersey/Pennsylvania 2-1, and Mia Link had assists on the third and fourth goals as Maryland defeated California 4-0. Virginia assistant coach Christina Kirkaldy made 15 saves in that game for California as action continued for the Virginia hockey program in Virginia Beach at the United States Field Hockey Association's EPTC (Elite Performance Training Centers) National Championships, which are being conducted in Virginia Beach this weekend.

On the second short corner of the match for the Midwest side, Kyser took the stick stop and pushed the ball down low to Mary Fox, who tipped it in the cage for the first goal of the game. In the second half Midwest scored on a short-angle shot by April Fronzoni to take a 2-0 lead before holding on to take the 2-1 win.

In the second game of the night Kirkaldy made 15 saves, including 11 in the first half but Link and her teammates were still able to put four past her, including the second goal on a stroke midway through the first half. Link had an assist in each half, with the first one coming on a scrum in front of the cage as she pushed the ball to Dana Sensenig, who scored to make it 3-0. In the second half, Link took an outlet pass down the right wing and sent it across to a teammate still in high school, who scored the final goal of the game. Link was a member of the US Junior World Cup team who took seventh at the Junior World Cup last September.

Action at the USFHA Training Center continues tomorrow (July 1) with Midwest playing New England and Maryland playing South at 4:00 and California facing NJ/PA at 6:00.