Oct. 23, 2007
NORFOLK, Va. -- Following a week which saw the Old Dominion field hockey team defeat James Madison, use overtime to down Virginia Commonwealth, and clinch the top seed at the upcoming Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament, the Lady Monarchs moved up a place in both the STX/NFHCA Coaches and Women's Field Hockey.Com Polls.
The Lady Monarchs have won their last two outings heading into a showdown with top-ranked North Carolina on Saturday in a game that will be the final regular season game at Foreman Field. Old Dominion (10-7 overall, 7-0 CAA) will close out the regular season on Sunday in Williamsburg against William & Mary.
The STX/NFHCA poll featured the Tar Heels in the top spot and are the only remaining undefeated team left in the nation. Maryland, who fell to North Carolina last Saturday, checks in at No. 2. There was no movement among the ODU opponents featured in the poll's top ten with Michigan at No. 4, Connecticut at No. 6, James Madison at No. 8, and Penn State at No. 9.
Other former Lady Monarchs opponents in the poll include No. 11 Duke along with Virginia and CAA rivals Drexel and Delaware receiving votes.
The top eight positions of the Women's Field Hockey.Com Poll remained the same this week with North Carolina leading the pack followed by Maryland at No. 2, Michigan at No. 3, Connecticut at No. 5, and Penn State at No. 8. Duke moved up a notch to No. 9, while James Madison fell back two spots to No. 11 following the loss to Old Dominion. Virginia is also featured at No. 15.
Women's Field Hockey.Com named Loran Hatch (Green Lane, Pa.) the Rookie of the Week. The two-time CAA Rookie of the Week scored two goals, including the game-winner against James Madison to help the Lady Monarchs to sole possession of first place in the CAA.
Reminder that there will be a five-dollar admission to Saturday's North Carolina game. All proceeds will benefit the Intercollegiate Foundation for Field Hockey Scholarships. Additionally seniors Shannon Mobley, Sami McLenegan, and Jo Ann van Aswegen will be honored prior to the start of the game.
STX/NFHCA COACHES POLL - Week Eight
Institution Points (first place votes in parentheses)
1. University of North Carolina (17-0) 980 (49)
2. University of Maryland (16-1) 929
3. Wake Forest University (11-4) 853
4. University of Michigan (13-4) 815
5. University of Iowa (13-2) 784
6. University of Connecticut (16-2) 745
7. Michigan State University (13-4) 630
8. James Madison University (14-3) 573
9. Penn State University (10-6) 565
10. Old Dominion University (10-7) 534
11. Duke University (11-6) 528
12. Boston College (12-5) 391
13. University of Louisville (13-5) 382
14. Boston University (13-5) 345
15. Ohio University (14-4) 244
16. University at Albany (13-4) 243
17. American University (13-4) 188
18. Princeton University (10-4) 125
19. Syracuse University (12-5) 91
20. Providence College (12-6) 83
Also Receiving Votes: University of Virginia (74), Temple University (54), Villanova University (25),Ohio State University (21), Missouri State University (14), Drexel University (12), Indiana University (12),University of Pennsylvania (12), University of Vermont (12), University of Maine (8), Lock Haven University (6),University of California, Berkeley (5), St. Joseph's University (4), University of Delaware (2),University of Massachusetts (1).
Women's Field Hockey.Com Poll
1. UNC
2. Maryland
3. Michigan
4. Wake Forest
5. Iowa
6. Connecticut
7. Michigan State
8. Penn State
9. Duke
10. Old Dominion
11. James Madison
12. Louisville
13. Boston College
14. Boston University
15. Virginia
16. Temple
17. Albany
18. Princeton
19. Providence
20. Syracuse