THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 6, 1995 TAG: 9511060183
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Old Dominion's reign as the only field hockey team to wear the Colonial Athletic Association crown came to an end Sunday at Virginia Commonwealth University's Cary St. Field.
With a twist of irony, James Madison edged the Lady Monarchs 2-1, as ODU had done in the past two CAA tournament finals.
Carole Thate, the nation's most prolific scorer, netted two first-half goals three minutes apart. With 4:58 to play before intermission when she blasted a shot past a diving Kim Decker's stick side. And at the 1:50 mark she drove into the circle from just inside the 20-yard line and outmaneuvered Decker and the ODU defensive line.
``I don't think we stayed to our game plan,'' ODU coach Beth Anders said. ``They moved to the ball before we did. Sometimes it's that simple.''
Old Dominion didn't get its first shot until 16:54 was left to play, but then followed with a series of threats before Sam Salvia's corner attempt got stuck underneath Negus for an ODU penalty stroke at the 10:25 mark.
Salvia went head-to-head with JMU's Georgina Negus and the freshman keeper made a diving save.
ODU, which was outshot 6-4, finally got on the board with 4:13 to play when Becky Bearor's shot outside the circle rolled into the corner of the cage on a Negus misplay.
James Madison earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. ODU will learn its fate Tuesday when the NCAA announces the bids.
``I hope we get in,'' said Anders, whose team is the only one in the nation to have participated in all the NCAA-sanctioned field hockey tournaments. ``Today was in our hands and now whether or not we get into the tournament is out of our hands.'' by CNB