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September 15, 1998

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The University of Virginia field hockey team held on to the top spot in this week’s STX/NFHCA poll with three victories this past week. Defending national champion North Carolina moved up to the #2 position, setting up a game between the top two teams in the country in Chapel Hill on Sunday, Sept. 20.

The Cavaliers have one of the most potent offenses in the country and one of the stingiest defenses. Offensively the Hoos are led by US team members Michelle and Lorraine Vizzuso (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex), Meridith Thorpe (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs),and Meredith Elwell (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown). Michelle Vizzuso holds the UVA career record for assists with 42 and is only the fourth person in ACC history to record 40+ career goals and assists. Thorpe holds the UVA record for scoring with 193 points (86g, 21a) and is third all-time in ACC in scoring. Elwell is only the fifth player in UVA history to record 20+ goals and assists in a career.

Defensively the Cavaliers are led by US team member Lori Mastropietro (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock) and by the incredible goalie tandem of Ellen Wiese (Burke, Va./Lake Braddock) and Becky Worthington (Fairview Village, Pa./Methacton). The 1997 UVA defense was ranked #1 in the country in scoring defense, allowing less than a goal per game. In 1998, the Cavaliers are at that benchmark with a 1.00 GAA.

Virginia is coached by Missi Sanders, the 1997 NFHCA Coach of the Year.

The Cavaliers travel to Richmond to face the Spiders on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 4:00 pm. On Sunday, Sept. 20, the Cavaliers will face three-time defending NCAA Champion and new #2 North Carolina. Last year in Chapel Hill Virginia defeated UNC 2-0, ending a 20-game losing streak to the Heels and keeping UNC scoreless at home for the first time in 35 games.

STX/NFHCA Poll for September 15, 1998

Cur. rec. Votes LW 1. Virginia 5-0 100 (5) 1 2. North Carolina 4-0 93 43t. Penn State 2-1 87 53t. Old Dominion 4-1 87 2 5. Princeton 2-0 79 3 6. Connecticut 5-0 74 8 7. Boston College 4-0 66 14 8. Michigan 5-1 61 11 9. Syracuse 3-1 55 1610. Kent 4-1 52 1511. Rutgers 3-1 46 NR12. Maryland 3-1 43 613. Duke 2-2 36 1814. Boston University 1-1 30 2015. Delaware 4-1 29 1916. American 2-2 27 1217. Ohio State 1-1 25 1318. Northwestern 2-2 24 NR19. William & Mary 3-1 16 NR20. New Hampshire 3-1 8 NR

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