Sports
UMW Field Hockey Loses in NCAA Semifinals
Senior midfielder Lisa Charney named NCAA Division III National Player of the Year.
University of Mary Washington field hockey lost to Montclair State, 4-0, in the NCAA Division III semifinals Saturday in Geneva, N.Y.
The Eagles were ranked No. 3 in the nation heading into the weekend. It was the team's first Final Four appearance in 19 years.
Senior midfielder Lisa Charney broke the UMW single season scoring record with 25 goals this season, according to UMW's website. On Monday she was selected as the NCAA Division III National Player of the Year by SynapseSports.com.
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The 2012 Eagles were 20-2 overall. After losing at Christopher Newport in double overtime on Oct. 6, they ran off nine straight wins, including a victory over Lynchburg College Nov. 11 in the NCAA Division III region title game.
The winning streak came to an end Saturday, as the Eagles fell to Montclair.
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Montclair outshot Mary Washington 16-8, but the Eagles had an edge of 11-8 on corners in the Final Four semifinal match. UMW fell behind 3-0 at halftime, and they could never get untracked.
“We probably exceeded their expectations,” second year coach Lindsey Elliott said. “Coming into this year, the girls had worked hard. Our goal was to win the conference and get to the NCAA tournament.”
Senior goalie Claire Gianelle had six saves Saturday. She was named a Third Team All American by SynapseSports.com.
Caitlin Baker and Lisa Charney were named First Team All Americans.
Haley Kane and Jenna Steele were named to the 2012 All-Rookie Squad by SynapseSports.com.
Coach Elliott, who played for a national-title team at Salisbury University and in three Final Fours, is not sitting on her laurels after the Eagles great season. She leaves Wednesday for a high school field hockey tournament in West Palm Beach, Fl., where she will be recruiting.
She expects to lose at least two senior starters at graduation, and is already looking forward to the incoming freshman class. “Some of them will step up and see playing time right away,” she said.
Montclair State lost, 2-1, to Tufts in the national title match on Sunday.
