Oct. 26, 2008
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Old Dominion field hockey team returned to the win column and snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-0 shutout over Virginia Commonwealth Sunday afternoon at the Powhatan Sports Complex. Three different Lady Monarchs scored in the victory with leading scorer Katelyn Smither (Suffolk, Va.) finding the back of the Ram cage twice.
The victory ups Old Dominion's record to 7-11 overall and 5-2 in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
After playing to a 0-0 stalemate at the half, the Lady Monarchs completely dominated the second half outshooting VCU, 23-1, and outcornering the Rams, 9-1.
Smither got the scoring barrage started 10 minutes in the second half. Her blast from a rebound off Virginia Commonwealth keeper Laura Baker became her third game-winning tally of the season.
The goals kept coming as two minutes later freshman Kathryn Kirk (Lititz, Pa.) sailed her first collegiate goal into the Ram cage. Kirk was also able to capitalize off a rebound opportunity, getting her stick on the ball along the right side post.
Another rookie Lady Monarch, Rachel Stream (Poolesville, Md.), also found her way into the Virginia Commonwealth goal. Stream gave Old Dominion a 3-0 edge three and half minutes after Kirk put away her goal. Stream was serving as the striker on one of Old Dominion's 11 penalty corners on the afternoon. Katie Ueberroth (Stevens, Pa.) registered an assist on the insert and Hanna Warren (Elizaville, N.Y.) recorded an assist, as well, on stick stop.
Smither rounded out the scoring in the game's 62nd minute of action. Smither recorded her team-leading seventh goal fo the year by firing in the ball near mid-circle.
In all, Old Dominion outshot the Rams, 27-4, and held a 11-3 advantage in penalty corners.
In goal, senior Kelly Driscoll (West Chester, Pa.) made four saves en-route to her fourth shutout of the year and 24th of her career.
The Lady Monarchs field hockey team closes out the 2008 regular season next weekend. Old Dominion will host North Carolina on Saturday, November 1st in the annual scholarship game. The $5.00 admission to the game against the Tar Heels will go towards the Intercollegiate Foundation for Field Hockey Scholarships. The regular season comes to an end on Sunday, November 2nd against CAA rival William & Mary on "Senior Day." Both games begin at 1:00 p.m.