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NORFOLK, Va. (Nov. 5, 2011) - Top-seeded Old Dominion field hockey, ranked No. 2 in the country, overcame a slow start to take down fourth-seeded James Madison, 6-1, in Saturday's first semifinal of the 2011 CAA Virginia 529 Field Hockey Championship at the Powhatan Sports Complex in Norfolk, Va.
Old Dominion improves to 19-2 on the year and will face second-seeded and No. 18-ranked Northeastern in Sunday's championship game.
"I think JMU played a great game and had a great game plan," said Old Dominion head coach Beth Anders. "We basically we're playing not to lose and you can't do that. You have to play to win and I think the kids played the second half that way."
ODU started the scoring off in the fourth-minute, as CAA Player of the Year Emma Batten found junior Maartje van Rijswijk who blasted a score from the right side to give the Lady Monarchs' a 1-0 lead.
The Dukes tied up the score as Rachel Wein scored unassisted in the 24th minute to make the score 1-1. The score would remain tied into halftime.
In the 50th minute, fresh into the game, ODU's Kimberly Oakes found the back of the net from a cross off the right side to put the Lady Monarchs ahead for good. It was Oakes' first score of the season.
Old Dominion added three more scores within the next 15 minutes, as Lydia Velzian netted a score, Batten recorded a goal off a penalty corner and Christy Longacre tallied a score off another penalty corner. Batten finished the scoring in the 67th minute with her team-leading 21st goal of the season.
ODU outshot the Dukes 17-1 in the contest, including 10-0 in the second half. The Lady Monarchs' also held a 5-0 advantage in penalty corners.
The Lady Monarchs return to the Powhatan Sports Complex tomorrow looking for their 15th CAA Field Hockey Championship. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at the Powhatan Sports Complex.
-ODU-