THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 2, 1994 TAG: 9410020233
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
The fourth-ranked Old Dominion field hockey team survived a second-half Connecticut rally to hand the No. 3 Huskies their first loss of the season, 3-2, Saturday at Foreman Field.
The Monarchs (7-2-1) converted two of their five first-half shots to take an early lead.
Sue Callahan drove into Connecticut territory and dished off to Karen Neiss for a textbook give-and-go at the 13:50 mark. The Monarchs struck again on a direct corner with 34 seconds left in the half when Alaina Hunt blasted the ball past keeper Tricia Betts.
``We played an outstanding first half,'' ODU coach Beth Anders said. ``There's no question about that. But it's not just a 35-minute fight.''
The Huskies (9-1), who have outscored their opponents, 35-5, came out battling in the second half.
Tara Morris put Connecticut on the board 3:01 into the half when she drew ODU keeper Kim Decker out of the box and tapped it into the net.
ODU responded just a minute later when Heather Simon drew a corner which set up Hunt's second goal at the 49-minute mark.
But Connecticut's Wendy Brady answered with 5:03 to go when she got Decker out of the box and swatted it past her glove side.
Sarah Rahn threatened to tie it up for the Huskies with 18 seconds remaining as Decker came out to clear the ball from the circle. Rahn made a diving surge for the goal, but couldn't quite reach the net.
``Every game we've played in this year has presented a challenge,'' Anders said. ``You have to dominate. You have to constantly be willing to fight for what you believe in.''
Old Dominion returns to action today, hosting No. 12 Massachusetts at 2 p.m. William and Mary will face Connecticut today at noon at Foreman Field. by CNB