Field Hockey looks to rebound against ODU

The University of North Carolina visited the JMU Field Hockey Complex Saturday and defeated the Dukes 2-0 on a day that JMU celebrated the 10th anniversary of their national title.

The Tar Heels, ranked No. 2 in the nation, scored a goal in each half — first Kelsey Keeran found the back of the net on a penalty corner with 12:55 play in the first period. Keeran’s goal came off a rebound as redshirt junior goalkeeper Lori Amico stopped her first effort.

"I feel a lot of pressure but at the same time I know it’s a team effort," Amico said.

UNC’s second goal came with 7:05 to go in the game. Kelly Faglowski tipped a shot by Carey Fetting-Smith into the cage to put Carolina a head by the final 2-0.

Tar Heel goalkeeper Katy Tran picked up a shutout with a three-save effort.

"We’ve recognized that we can play with the top teams in the country," coach Antoinette Lucas said.
From the Atlantic Coast Conference, JMU returns to Colonial Athletic Association play Friday, when the Dukes challenge the No. 6 Monarchs of Old Dominion University.

ODU has won the CAA field hockey championship almost every year since its inception in 1991 — the only exception being 1995, in which the Monarchs failed to procure CAA gold. That year, JMU usurped conference supremacy and still remains the only team other than ODU to have claim on a CAA field hockey championship.

Before the creation of the CAA for field hockey, the Monarchs rolled through the South Atlantic Conference from 1984-’90, winning all of the conference titles.

"Going into the ODU game, our goal is to become more aggressive," Lucas said. "Our transition into attack needs to pick up. If we can get the ball in quick, it will help us move up the field."

Game time is 7 p.m. at the JMU Field Hockey Complex.

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