Nov. 18, 2005
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Old Dominion University field hockey team's season came to an end on Friday night at Trager Stadium on the campus of the University of Louisville as the Lady Monarchs fell 3-2 to top seeded Maryland in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Monarchs, who were making their 16th Final Four appearance, conclude the 2005 season with a 19-6 overall record.
"Congratulations to Maryland," said Old Dominion head coach Beth Anders after the game. "They played a good game. I'm very proud of our team. They had a tremendous season."
Maryland took an early lead as Paula Infante incepted the ball near midfield, entered the top of the circle and fired past ODU keeper Mary Cate Gordon (Oreland, Pa.) four minutes into the contest. Gordon came up with five saves during that half to keep the score 1-0 heading into halftime. The Lady Monarchs were outshot 8-1 in the first 35 minutes of the game.
Old Dominion did not wait long to tie the score and came out with more fire power in the second half. Senior Darcy Pinchebeck (Suffolk, Va.) knotted the score at 1-1 less than two minutes after the opening whistle. The Lady Monarchs were awarded a penalty corner with senior Janelle Engle (Mt. Joy, Pa.) striking the ball at the Terp net. Maryland came up with the save as the ball drifted the right side of the cage for an open Pinchbeck to fire into in the back of the cage.
The lead went back to the Terps at the 43rd minute of the game, 2-1. Maryland's Infante took the ball on a penalty corner and fed it wide left to Janneke van Leewen for the tip in.
Jackie Ciconte added in what would be the game-winner at the 62nd minute of play off a rebound from a van Leeuwen shot.
Old Dominion immediately struck back looking for the come from behind victory. Less than two minute after the Terps took a two-goal advantage, Engle cut the deficit to one with 5:51 left in regulation. Engle took a swing after Caroline Nichols (Va. Beach, Va.) made the stick stop. The ball was saved put took a hard bounce right back to Engle who swung again, but this time got the ball into the net.
Unfortunately the Lady Monarchs were kept away from the Maryland net and time expired as the Terps returned to the national championship game for the first time since 2001.
Five Lady Monarchs closed out impressive careers on Friday. Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year and two-time All-South Region selection Janelle Engle finished her career with 37 goals, 21 assists, and 95 points. Darcy Pinchbeck accumulated 16 goals, six assists, and 38 points having played in all but one game during her four seasons as a Lady Monarch. Netminder Mary Cate Gordon, a CAA All-Tournament Team selection, played all 1,769 minutes in net with seven shutouts in 2005. Jennifer Angat returned to her second Final Four and recorded eight goals, six assists, and 22 points in her four seasons. Rosanna Delutis also wraps up a career which included the game-winning goal in an upset victory over Duke during the 2005 regular season.