Wake Forest University
Maryland
Field Hockey Takes Down No.1-Ranked Maryland, 3-2
9/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 25, 2004
Winston-Salem, NC - The third-ranked Demon Deacons knocked off No.1-ranked Maryland Saturday, 3-2. Kelly Dostal scored a hat trick to boost the Deacons past their second No.1-ranked opponent in as many games. Wake Forest improves to 9-1 overall, 1-1 in the ACC. Maryland falls to 9-1, 0-1.
Maryland attacked quickly. The ball did not cross midfield for the Deacons until nearly fifteen minutes into the game. The Terrapins took two penalty corners in the first two minutes of action. Just over three minutes into the contest, Tiffany Marsh gave the Terrapins their only lead of the day, 1-0.
The Terrapins took five penalty corners in the first 10 minutes. Wake Forest finally answered with a penalty corner of their own at the 28:36 mark. Although they could not connect in the attempt, the Deacons kept the ball in the circle. Lauren Crandall's shot was blocked by Terrapin goalkeeper, Christina Restivo, but Dostal picked up the rebound at 28:57 to knot the score at one.
Another shot and another penalty corner by Maryland rounded out first half action.
In second half play, it was the Deacons who scored early. Claire Laubach injected the ball on the second Deacon penalty corner of the game. Dostal stopped the injection, swung and the Terrapin goalkeeper's sliding save was not enough as Dostal scored for the 15th time this season, to secure the Deacons lead.
Maryland called a time out, 44 minutes into the game and substituted Kathryn Mason into goal for Christina Restivo.
Three minutes later, Lauren Crandall crossed to Dostal to complete her hat trick and give the Deacons the 3-1 advantage.
Maryland bounced right back with a goal by Jackie Ciconte to pull the Terps within one.
With just six minutes remaining, Deacon goalkeeper Kristina Gagliardi, who posted a career high eight saves on the day, offered a diving save to keep her team up by one. During the shot by Marsh and the ensuing collision, Gagliardi injured her shoulder and was forced to resume her position to sophomore Tracey Scott. Wake Forest called a time out.
"I went down for the save," said Gagliardi. "And my shoulder popped out. I wanted to stay in and finish the game and to be there for my team, so I was glad that I was able to return fairly soon. I was so proud of everyone for stepping it up on defense, I thought they all played very well."
Gagliardi had surgery on that shoulder earlier this year.
Scott played for 1:08 before Gagliardi returned to the cage for the Deacons. The Wake Forest defense did not allow a shot by Maryland for the duration of the game.
"Everyone really worked together to help in that situation," said Scott. "I was happy to be able to step in when my team needed me."
Time ran down for the previously undefeated Terrapins and Wake Forest pocketed their first conference win this season, their ninth overall in 2004.
For the first time this season, Wake Forest was out-shot and the opponent took more penalty corners than the Deacons. Maryland took 14 shots and eight penalty corners, while the Deacons fired 10 times and took three penalty corners.
"Maryland is a great opponent," said head coach Jennifer Averill. "I thought both teams played very well and the game offered every element of play that you could ask for. Maryland was all over us in the first half and I think we did a better job of stopping that and then capitalizing on opportunities in the second half."
In other action Saturday, North Carolina defeated Duke in Durham, N.C., to continue the Tar Heels perfect season. They are the only remaining undefeated team and will likely be the No.1-ranked team in the country in the next NFHCA poll. The Deacons face North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Oct. 2 and again in Kentner Stadium on Oct. 10. Both games are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. If in fact the Tar Heels are ranked No.1 on Tuesday morning, then the Deacons will face their third No.1 ranked opponents in less than two weeks.
Wake Forest returns to action against Appalachian State in Boone, N.C. on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
