Top Two Field Hockey Teams Clash This Weekend
9/21/2006 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 21, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The top two field hockey teams in the nation will battle on the turf this weekend with No. 1 Maryland traveling to No. 2 Wake Forest on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. The "can't miss" match will also be webcast on www.accselect.com.
It is a clash of the Titans as the last two NCAA Championship squads face off. Both are 9-0 heading into the weekend, 1-0 in conference play. The 2005 Champion Terrapins defeated the Demon Deacons last season in the finals of the ACC Tournament championship game, so WF will be looking for revenge..
Maryland has been ranked No. 1 since the preseason poll was released and has been worthy of that rating, ranking in the top three in offense and defense in the nation. The Terrapins, led by freshman Nicole Muracco's (Sewell, N.J.) seven goals, are ranked third in scoring average at 4.11 goals per game. The defense has been equally as dominant, ranking second boasting a 0.67 goals against average. Junior Kathryn Masson (Richmond, British Columbia) and the rest of the goalkeeping unit and defense have posted five shutouts this season, as well.
Junior Janneke van Leeuwen (Hilversum, Netherlands) is the team's assist leader at seven, while 2005 national player of the year and three-time All-American defender Paula Infante is third with 15 points on six goals and three assists.
The Deacons have also been impressive in their nine victories this season, as well. They lead the nation in offense (4.78 gpg), defense (0.33 GAA) and shutout percentage (six shutouts, 67 percent). WF's Christine Suggs leads WF's high-powered offense with 10 goals, while goalkeeper Kristina Gagliardi boasts a miniscule 0.23 goals against average.
Last season's Maryland victory in the ACC Tournament snapped a seven-game losing streak to Wake Forest, despite a 16-9 series lead. The game is also being held at the site of the NCAA Tournament semifinals and final taking place Nov. 17-19.
To watch the live webcast on the internet, log on to www.accselect.com and sign up for an account.
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