Sept. 19, 2006
NOTE: Game time for Saturday's game at Princeton has been changed to 1:00 p.m.
NORFOLK, Va. -- After wins against North Carolina and Duke last weekend, the Old Dominion field hockey team (7-1) remains ranked third in both the STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) and Women's Field Hockey.com polls.
In the STX/NFHCA Poll, Maryland, ODU's only loss of the season, remained in the top spot with a 9-0 overall record closely followed by Wake Forest (9-0) in second. Duke and North Carolina flip-flopped places this week with the Blue Devils moving up to No. 4 and Tar Heels falling back to No. 5 after suffering their first losses of the season to the Lady Monarchs and Virginia.
James Madison, William & Mary, and Hofstra continue to be the other CAA schools featured in the top 30. The Dukes fell two spots to No. 15, the Tribe remained at No. 17, and the Pride moved back a spot to No. 19.
Both of this week's opponents, Princeton and Drexel are receiving votes in the poll along with future CAA opponent Northeastern.
In the Women's Field Hockey.com Poll, the top three spots, Maryland, Wake Forest, and Old Dominion, remained the same, while Virginia vaulted into No. 4 following its victory over North Carolina. North Carolina rounded out the top five.
Two-time CAA Player of the Week Caroline Nichols (Va. Beach, Va.) was also named to the Women's Field Hockey.com honor roll for the second straight week. Nichols helped ODU extend its winning streak over the weekend to four games as the Lady Monarchs defeated both North Carolina and Duke. Defensively, Nichols helped hold the Tar Heels to only one goal as they gave North Carolina its first loss of the season. North Carolina entered the game averaging 4.00 goals per game, fifth nationally. Against Duke, Nichols captured the game-winner with 5:55 remaining in the second overtime to lift ODU to the win over the 2005 national runner-ups. After falling behind 3-1 at the half, Nichols and the defense did not allow the Blue Devils to find the back of the ODU net the rest of the afternoon.
In the national stats, senior Dana Sensenig (Denver, Pa.) is ranked 25th in points per game (2.13) and tied for 18th in goals per game (0.88). Redshirt freshman keeper Kelly Driscoll (West Chester, Pa.) is 10th in goals against average (1.08).
In CAA stats, a host of Lady Monarchs are featured. Sensenig is tied for first in total points (17) and total goals (7), third in goals per game (0.88). fourth in points per game (2.12), tied for eighth in total assists (3), and tied for 10th in assists per game (0.38). Sophomore Katelyn Smither (Suffolk, Va.) is also tied along with Sensenig in total assists and assists per game. Both Nichols and sophomore Denise Admiraal (Heiloo, Holland) are tied for fourth with two game-winning goals. Admiraal's sister Denise is tied for second with two defensive saves. Driscoll meanwhile is second in goals against average.
The Lady Monarchs, in the midst of a five-game road trip, return to action on the road again next week traveling to Princeton on Saturday, September 23rd and to Drexel for the CAA opener on Sunday, September 24th.
STX/NFHCA Poll
STX/NFHCA Poll in PDF Format
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Institution Points (first place votes in parentheses)
1. University of Maryland (9-0) 821 (24)
2. Wake Forest University (9-0) 809 (17)
3. Old Dominion University (7-1) 760
4. Duke University (6-2) 688
5. University of North Carolina (6-2) 638 (1)
6. Ohio State University (5-0) 604
7. University of Virginia (6-1) 562
8. Penn State University (6-2) 550
9. Boston College (6-2) 508
10. University of Connecticut (5-2) 373
11. American University (6-2) 345
12. University of Louisville (4-3) 299
13. University of California, Berkeley (6-2) 274
14. Indiana University (7-1) 269
15. James Madison University (5-3) 223
16. Providence College (7-1) 214
17. College of William & Mary (6-1) 189
18. Villanova University (6-3) 188
19. Hofstra University (5-2) 112
20. University of Iowa (5-4) 95
Also Receiving Votes: University of Richmond (94), University of Michigan (87), Ohio University (20),Drexel University (19), West Chester University (17), University of Pennsylvania (15),Central Michigan University (11), University of the Pacific (8), Cornell University (6),Northeastern University (5), Boston University (4), College of the Holy Cross (4), Princeton University (4),University at Albany (1), Sacred Heart University (1), Saint Joseph's University (1), Stanford University (1),Temple University (1).
Women's Field Hockey.Com Poll
1. Maryland
2. Wake Forest
3. Old Dominion
4. Virginia
5. UNC
6. Duke
7. Ohio State
8. Boston College
9. Penn State
10. Connecticut
11. Hofstra
12. Villanova
13. Indiana
14. William & Mary
15. Richmond
16. James Madison
17. Providence
18. Michigan
19. Louisville
20. Iowa