DATE: Sunday, September 7, 1997             TAG: 9709070219

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C11  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   50 lines

ODU FIELD HOCKEY STILL UNSCORED UPON

Old Dominion's 11-0 shellacking of American University Saturday helped conjure up images of days earlier this decade when the Monarchs were the driving force in women's collegiate field hockey.

From 1990-1992, the Monarchs won three of the national-high seven NCAA Division I titles - compiling a 74-2-1 record and outscoring opponents by an incredible 394-19 margin.

Although only three games old, ODU's 29-0 scoring edge gives this season the feel of those days of domination. The Monarch's opened with a 12-0 victory over Radford and followed with a 6-0 decision over Wake Forest.

Boston University will try its best to change the tide today at 1 p.m. at Foreman Field.

But it won'a be easy, as the Monarchs are once again red hot.

``Of course we are,'' said forward Kelly Driscoll. ``We're playing as a team and we couldn't be doing this without each and every person.''

ODU (3-0 overall, 2-0 in the CAA) never let the Eagles in the contest.

American (1-2, 1-2) got off only one shot to ODU's 34 and controlled the action in the circle only three short times.

When ODU went to goal, all but five shots were on target. Were it not for the combined effort of Eagles keepers Stacy Thomas and Michelle Thornhill, the margin of victory would have been considerably worse.

While on the attack, which it was for about 60 of the game's 70 minutes, ODU was simply relentless.

Former Cox High sensation Kim Miller, the Virginia High School League's single season and career scoring record holder, pumped in six goals - three in a first half that saw ODU build a 7-0 lead.

``Communication,'' the sophomore forward said ``We were all just really talking out there and I think everyone really played their role.''

Heather Simon scored two of her three goals in the first half, while Sina Wulf and Kelly Driscoll contributed one each. Marina DiGiacomo dished out three of her four assists in the half and Driscoll added a pair.

Many of ODU's scoring plays consisted of slick moves into the scoring circle, followed by some nifty passes to teammates. Three of Miller's goals came on mere touches of the stick that re-directed the ball past the American keeper.

ODU coach Beth Anders lists such skills among her team's most important goals.

``I think we did well on all of our goals,'' she said. ``And part of being good is being consistent. So far, I think we have been, but it's difficult.

``We have to hit our goals and get better.''

If the Monarchs get much better, the ``good ole'' days could be more than images.

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