Nov. 6, 2005
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Old Dominion field hockey team has advanced to its 25th NCAA Tournament appearance as they captured its 13th Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title with a 3-0 shuout over Northeastern on Sunday at Foreman Field.
The Lady Monarchs, the only division I field hockey team to appear in every NCAA Tournament since its inception in 1981, will find out their opponent on Tuesday.
With the victory, Old Dominion improves its record to 17-5 overall and posts its seventh shutout of the season. Meanwhile, Northeastern falls to 16-6.
The first score came at the 13:20 mark, when Darcy Pinchbeck (Suffolk, Va.) fired a shot that Husky goalkeeper Colleen Duffy was able to stop, but Anna Rogers (New Bloomfield, Pa.) was waiting in front of the net to put home the rebound for her fifth goal of the season.
The second goal came a little over 10 minutes later when Pinchbeck sent a pass from the right corner up to Sami McLenegan (Middletown, Pa.), who was positioned on the right wing. Duffy came charging out to cut down the angle on the shot, but McLenegan was able to get it by the oncoming keeper and into the cage for the 2-0 lead.
The third and final score was started once again by Pinchbeck, who centered a pass from the left side of the circle. Freshman Katelyn Smither (Suffolk, Va.) came charging in to meet it and took a diving shot that found the back of the net to give the Lady Monarchs the 3-0 lead.
Old Dominion goalkeeper Mary Cate Gordon (Oreland, Pa.) made six saves to post the shutout. Duffy made eight saves for the Huskies, who were outshot 18-7 and outcornered 6-2.
ODU's Dana Sensenig (Denver, Pa.) headlined the All-Championship team after jumpstarting the Lady Monarchs' offensive attack all weekend. She served as the leader of the penalty corner unit, and also scored the first goal in a semifinal win over William & Mary. She was joined on the All-Championship squad by teammates Janelle Engle (Mt. Joy, Pa.), who also scored in the semifinal win; Gordon, who made ten saves on the weekend; and Caroline Nichols (Va. Beach, Va.), who helped anchor the Lady Monarch defense.
Runner-up Northeastern placed three players on the squad. Whitney Shean was recognized for her hat trick in Saturday's win over Hofstra, and was joined by Lauren Edelmeier and Ashley Bascetta. Hofstra's Charlia Warner was named to the team for her three goals in an opening round win over Towson, while Leslie Desimone was also recognized from the third-seeded Pride. The 11-person team was rounded out by Anna Davis and Carly Falgowski, who represented the Tribe of William & Mary.
CAA All-Tournament Team:
William & Mary:
Anna Davis
Carly Falgowski
Hofstra:
Charlia Warner
Leslie Desimone
Northeastern:
Lauren Edelmeier
Ashley Bascetta
Whitney Shean
Old Dominion:
Caroline Nichols
Mary Cate Gordon
Janelle Engle
Dana Sensenig
CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player: Dana Sensenig