Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 14, 1994 TAG: 9405140009
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Maroons (11-3) had the good fortune of receiving a home game in the first round of the tournament, but the opposition couldn't be more imposing.
Roanoke will entertain five-time Division III champion Trenton State (12-0) at 1 p.m. at Alumni Field. The Lions have won 54 consecutive games, including an 18-7 triumph less than a month ago in Salem.
In other NCAA action, Virginia (10-3) will meet Notre Dame (10-1) for the second straight year in the Division I men's tournament at noon at Klockner Stadium. UVa's women (12-3) will begin their bid for a third straight NCAA title when they entertain William and Mary (11-5) at 3 p.m. at Scott Stadium.
The Cavaliers defeated William and Mary 12-6 in women's lacrosse during the regular season. Last year's game was the first with Notre Dame for UVa's men, who scored the first seven goals and led 15-2 en route to a 19-9 decision.
The Division III pairings often take geography and travel expenses into account, which is one reason Coyne was surprised to draw Trenton State. For another, Coyne was not aware that Trenton State's field was being resurfaced.
"I was expecting to travel and thought we might go to Johns Hopkins," she said. "Trenton State is only 90 miles from Franklin and Marshall, which seemed more logical.
"Only Bates [located in Lewiston, Maine] would have been a longer trip for Trenton State. I just didn't think we'd be playing them; I know Trenton State is the odds-on favorite, but I think we're one of the better teams in the field. I think some other teams would have given them an easier game."
On top of everything else, the Lions could find accommodations no closer than Rocky Mount because graduations at Virginia Tech and Hollins have created a shortage of hotel rooms.
Despite a 17-3 loss to the Lions in the 1992 semifinals and the 11-goal setback earlier this season, Coyne views today's contest with some optimism.
"We're better now," she said. "We had an excellent [Old Dominion Athletic Conference] tournament, giving up 12 goals in two games, so I'd have to say we're peaking."
Roanoke, which had lost to Lynchburg College during the regular season, trounced the Hornets 14-5 in the ODAC final at Lynchburg.
Trenton State plays at another level. In the nine-year history of the Division III tournament, the Lions have finished first or second seven times and lost the crown in an eighth year after it was found they had used an ineligible player.
"If you want to win a national championship, you can't expect somebody else to do it for you," Coyne said. "The road to the national championship runs through Trenton; there's no way to avoid it. You've just got to be mentally tough."
by CNB