Field Hockey Drops Two Matches
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September 29, 1998
GAME 8:
James Madison 2, #4 Virginia 1– James Madisons Tara Nappi scored twice to lead the Dukes to the 2-1 upset of the fourth-ranked Cavaliers. James Madison got on the board first with a Nappi goal 8 minutes into the contest on a breakaway. The Dukes led 1-0 at halftime.James Madison went up 2-0 when Nappi redirected a corner shot by Katrina Hunter into the cage with 26:53 to go in the game. The Cavaliers rallied as keeper Becky Worthington (Fairview Village, Pa./Methacton) made a great save on a breakaway by Liz Sanders. The ball came out to the Cavalier defense, who sent it up to Lorraine Vizzuso (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex). Vizzuso beat her defender and as the JMU keeper came out to play her, Vizzuso passed the ball to Meridith Thorpe (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs) who one-timed it into the cage to cut the deficit to 2-1 with 5:18 left in the game. Virginia outshot the Dukes 9-6 and outcornered their opponents 9-2.
GAME 9:
#1 Old Dominion 4, #4 Virginia 2 –Old Dominion used a 3-0 start in the first half and held off a furious Cavalier rally in the second half to defeat the Cavaliers 4-2. The Cavaliers closed to 3-2 halfway through the second period, but were unable to get any closer. Old Dominion scored three times in the opening 15 minutes on two penalty corners and a field goal, with Marina DiGiacomo connecting twice. The Cavaliers came out on fire in the second half, scoring twice as Meredith Elwell (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) put in a rebound with 17:30 remaining in the half. Melissa Hayes (Chevy Chase, Md./Georgetown Visitation) cut the deficit to one at 3-2 as she also scored off a rebound with 14:07 left. But the Monarchs got an insurance goal from DiGiacomo on their only shot of the half to secure the win 4-2. The Cavaliers outcornered the Monarchs 13-7 and outshot their opponent 18-8, including 11-1 in the second half.
Individual Notes:
100 A+: Meredith Elwells goal against Old Dominion gave her 41 goals for her career, which ranks her 5th all-time at Virginia in that catagory. With the score, she now has 102 points for her career–41 goals and 20 assists. She is only the fifth person in school history to record 20+ goals and assists in a career. Her 102 points ranks her sixth all-time at Virginia.
Thorpe ticker:
Meridith Thorpe, Virginias career scoring leader, ranks second in the ACC in scoring with 201 points and second all-time in goals scored with 90. Only Dukes Melissa Panasci has more goals scored (91). The all-time ACC leader is Cindy Werley (UNC) has 212 points (84-44-212).
Vizzuso vibes:
Michelle Vizzuso, already Virginias career leader in assists, is also leading the nation with her 11 this season. She ranks sixth all-time in the ACC with 46 career assists (Joy Driscoll, UNC and Jen Pratt, MD both have 58).
On the Horizon
National Attendance Record Game vs Maryland:
Tangling with the Terrapins: The Virginia-Maryland game is a battle every year, and this year promises to be some of the same. Last year the Cavaliers scored two quick goals to take the early lead, but Maryland answered soon after to cut the deficit to one. Melissa Hayes goal pushed the margin back to two, and the teams entered halftime with a 3-1 lead. The Terrapins scored five minutes into the second half to cut the deficit to one again. Halfway through the stanza, the Terps intercepted a 16-yard hit but the point-blank shot was stopped by Worthington. On the ensuing play, Lori Mastropietro was injured and was taken out of the game. Maryland pulled their goalie with seven minutes to go, and with just over three minutes to play, Lorraine Vizzuso was assessed a yellow card. But the Cavalier defense stood strong, down a player, and held the Terps at bay. It was Marylands first loss of the year. Maryland leads the series 16-17-2, but Virginia holds a 10-4-1 advantage at home.
Eight is not enough!:
The Cavaliers are currently riding an eight game winning streak at home. They have not lost in Charlottesville since September 28, 1997. It is the fourth-longest home winning streak in school history (10, 1977-78).
3000 People:
The Cavaliers are attempting to set the national record for attendance in the Maryland game. Currently the record is held by Old Dominion and Iowa, who had 3,036 spectators at their National Championship game in Richmond in 1992. With support of field hockey fans around the area, the record very surely should fall on Sunday.