Field Hockey Travels to UNC for Key ACC Clash
10/22/2003 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 22, 2003
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After winning back-to-back games against teams ranked in the top 15, the Maryland field hockey team moved up a spot in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Top 20 to No. 3. The Terps close out the regular-season ACC slate this weekend, with a key matchup at fourth-ranked North Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Maryland (14-2) is coming off of a weekend sweep of then-No. 7 Old Domion, 3-2, and then-No. 15 Delaware, 4-0. With those wins, the Terps moved up from No. 4 to No. 3 in the polls, jumping ahead of this weekend's ACC-foe UNC (13-3). The Tar Heels fall to their lowest ranking of the season to No. 4, their lowest ranking of the season. Saturday's matchup between the Terps and the Heels could clinch second place in the conference for UNC or move UM into a tie with UNC in second place. The Terps are 1-2 in conference play, while North Carolina is currently 2-1.
The Tar Heels lead the all-time series, 28-15, with 14 of those games going to overtime, including seven of the last nine meetings. UNC has lost its last two games, its longest losing streak of the season. Then-No. 3 Duke cruised to a 5-0 win over North Carolina on Oct. 25, which was followed by a 2-1 setback to No. 1 Wake Forest.
The game is a rematch of the 2002 ACC Tournament semifinal game in which Maryland came out victorious, 3-2, in overtime. The Terps will be facing the best offense in the nation, as UNC is scoring at a rate of 4.40 goals per game. Maryland is not far behind, notching 4.35 goals per game, which is third-best in the nation. The Heels' defense is also right up there with the nation's best, ranking second at a miniscule 0.99 goals per game. The Terp defense is allowing only 1.06 goals, which is tied for sixth in the country.
Maryland's third-ranked offense is led by freshman defender Paula Infante (Santiago, Chile) who has a team-high 35 points on 14 goals and seven assists. Sophomore Jackie Ciconte (Wilmington, Del.) is having a breakout season, leading the team with a career-high 15 goals. Sophomore All-American Lauren Powley (Mountaintop, Pa.) and junior Emily Boyer (Oak Park, Ill.) are the team's assist leaders with 13 each.
The result of this game, plus one more game between Duke and Virginia on Nov. 2, will set the stage for the ACC Tournament which takes place Nov. 6-9 in Charlottesville, Va. The Blue Devils are currently 1-2 as well, and tied with Maryland for third in the conference standings.
-TERPS-
