Oct. 18, 2002
NORFOLK, VA -- Old Dominion's top ranked defense will take on Maryland's top rated defense, as one of the most storied rivalries in collegiate field hockey face each other at Foreman Field on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
The third ranked Lady Monarchs and top ranked Terrapins have a long and storied history since their first meeting in 1982. The two teams have met at least once over the last 20 years with Old Dominion holding the all-time series 18-10-1. They two teams have enjoyed a home and away series since 1999 and have faced each other five times in NCAA play.
Old Dominion will be looking to avenge a 2-0 loss to the Terps earlier this season up in College Park, MD. The loss was only one of two setbacks the Lady Monarchs have had all season entering the contest with a 12-2 overall record. In the game, Maryland's Katrin Rummer extended her point-scoring streak to four games, netting the game winner early and assisting on freshman Tiffany Marsh's first career goal, which provided the Terps with needed insurance late in the opening period. Terp Keeper Kerry Hearsey saved four shots and withstood eight penalty corner attempts. The Lady Monarchs had 10 shots on net, led by the nation's leading scorer, Tiffany Snow (Escondido, CA), with six. Junior Tina Walker (Suffolk, VA) made her first career start in net for Old Dominion playing the entire first half and recording three saves. Senior Marybeth Freeman (Holland, PA) entered the second half and stopped two Terp shots on goal.
The first STX/NFHCA Poll of the 2002 season was released following Maryland's 2-0 victory over Old Dominion, with the Terps topping the poll. Maryland has remained in the top position ever since, claiming the number one stop for the last six weeks. They enter Saturday's contest with a 14-1 overall record, with their lone setback to #4 Wake Forest with a 1-2 overtime loss.
The Terps are led by senior forward Carissa Messimer and 2001 CAA Rookie of the Year Colleen Barbieri, each with 26 points. In net, sophomore Kerry Hearsey has posted a .805 save percentage and a .620 goals against average.
Following Saturday's match-up, the Lady Monarchs will be looking to wrap up CAA play with a 1:00 p.m. contest with Drexel on Sunday. Old Dominion will be looking to cap off an undefeated conference season and secure home field advantage for the 2002 CAA Field Hockey Championship November 7th-10th.
The Lady Monarchs are coming off a 5-0 CAA victory over Hofstra, which gave Old Dominion its sixth shutout of the season and its 50th straight CAA victory dating back to the championship game of the CAA Tournament in 1995.
Senior Tiffany Snow will look to make her move on the record books this weekend. She needs just two more points to place her name on the ODU All-Time Points Leaders List. With two more points, the Escondido, CA native will tie Honda Award winner and current national team member Mimi Smith (95-98) for the 10th spot with 158 career points. Snow also needs just one more goal to climb into ninth on the ODU All-Time Goals Leader List. The goal will tie her with Lisa Doran (86-89) with 62 career nets.
Old Dominion currently has the top ranked offense in the nation, scoring an average of 6.08 goals per game. The offensive game is led by the nation's top two leading scorers in Tiffany Snow and junior Angie Loy (Loysville, PA). Snow also tops the nation in goals scored, while Loy places her name as the country's leader in assists. Snow has compiled 49 points on 20 goals and nine assists, while Loy sits just one point below her teammate with 48 points on 14 goals and 20 assists.