Wake Forest Athletics
Field Hockey Falls To U.S. National Team in Exhibition
9/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 5, 2002
Winston-Salem, N.C. - The Wake Forest field hockey team opened Kentner Stadium for 2002 tonight, losing to the U.S National Team, 8-3. The exhibition game will not count against the Deacs' overall record.
Team USA got on the board early when Jill Reeve scored in traffic around the cage. The Deacons answered quickly, though, when freshman Maeke Boreel made a beautiful pass across the net to junior Emily Ruth, who found the back of the goal. After a goal from Tracey Fuchs put the National Team up 2-1, former Deacon and Wake Forest's all-time scoring leader Jenny Everett scored an unassisted goal, running the score to 3-1. The Deacs continued to fight as junior Kelly Doton scored off a penalty corner from seniors Maria Whitehead and Heather Aughinbaugh. Fuchs and Melanie Meerschwam each tallied in the last five minutes of the first half to give the National Team a 5-2 halftime lead.
Former North Carolina Tar Heel Carrie Lingo opened the second half scoring for Team USA, but two minutes later, Wake Forest sophomore Claire Lawhon beat USA goalkeeper Peggy Storrar to make it 6-3. Kelli Gannon and Abbey Woolley each tallied in the second half to give the National Team the 8-3 win.
Wake Forest goalkeeper Katie Ridd made 14 saves, while Storrar was forced to make just six.
Despite the result, Wake Forest head coach Jennifer Averill was proud of her squad. "It was tremendous to not only be presented with this opportunity, but to capitalize on it," said Averill. "They executed beautifully, but I'm really proud of the way we collectively stepped up and played to the best of our abilities."
Wake Forest will resume regular season play on Sunday when they travel to Harrisonburg, Virginia to take on James Madison. The game will begin at 1 p.m.
