Wake Forest University
Connecticut (NCAA 2nd)
Dostal's Hat Trick Boosts Field Hockey Over Connecticut
11/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 16, 2003
Storrs, CT - In second round NCAA action on Sunday, the Wake Forest field hockey team faced host-school Connecticut in the schools' first ever meeting on a field hockey field. The Deacons won the match, 3-0, and advance to the final four in Amherst, Massachusetts, where on Friday, they will play Michigan.
Despite the teams never meeting before today, the head coaches of both squads are long time friends. Head coach Nancy Stevens coached head coach Jennifer Averill when Averill played at Northwestern.
"We've never faced one another as coaches," said Averill. "This was a bittersweet reunion. Nancy is one of my good friends and I don't like having to end her season, but I'm happy for my girls that they got the win".
After nearly fourteen minutes of play, the Deacons were awarded a penalty stroke after Connecticut midfielder Becky Helwig denied a goal with her foot. Kelly Dostal took advantage of the opportunity, to give the Deacs the 1-0 lead. Seconds later, she chipped one in with the help of Maeke Boreel and Claire Laubach, on Wake's third penalty corner of the day. With the two goals, Kelly's season total stands at 28, a new Wake Forest record.
The score would remain at 2-0 until five minutes into the second half when Dostal scored on a penalty corner. Boreel and Laubach were again credited with the assists. With three goals on the day, Dostal improves her season point total to 63, breaking the Wake Forest record for most points in a season.
With just 14:39 remaining in the game, Connecticut's Becky Helvig received a yellow card, forcing the Huskies to play with only ten people on the field. This was the second yellow card issued to a Deacon opponent this season.
The Deacs did not capitalize on the one-woman advantage, but held the Huskies to a scoreless performance after an incredible diving defensive save by Claire Laubach. The shut out was the eleventh this season.
"We knew this would be a physical game," said Dostal. "Connecticut plays hard, hits hard and comes to win, we were prepared for that aspect".
The Deacs first played in the NCAA Tournament in 1999, when they hosted the first and second rounds at Kentner Stadium. Wake Forest defeated James Madison in the first round, and fell to Michigan in overtime in round two.
The current senior class entered the program to help Wake to its first ever final four appearance in 2000. With today's win, the Deacs have traveled to four straight NCAA Final Fours. Only four other teams have ever accomplished such an impressive record, (North Carolina, Connecticut, Old Dominion, and Iowa).
The Deacs owned the largest margin of victory in first round action on Saturday, defeating Boston College, 5-1. In the past four seasons, Wake Forest has defeated first and second round opponents for a combined score of 34-8
The University of Massachusetts plays host to the final four on November 21 and 23. On Friday, the first game, between Wake Forest (20-1) and Michigan will be played at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Maryland and Duke game at 7:30 p.m. The championship game will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
