Field hockey: ODU earns trip to national semifinals

By Lee Tolliver
The Virginian-Pilot
© November 14, 2011

NORFOLK

This is how it's done, boys.

With the playoff-bound football team watching from the observation deck, Old Dominion's field hockey team gutted out another close one against Duke and advanced to the NCAA Division I Final Four with a 2-1 victory Sunday at the Powhatan Sports Complex.

After a seemingly easy 5-0 victory over Ohio State in the tournament's first round, second-seeded ODU (22-2) fought to make the most of limited opportunities. The teams combined for just six shots in 70 minutes.

ODU advances to its 17th Final Four. The Monarchs have won an NCAA-record nine championships to go with three runner-up finishes and four third-places.

The last title was in 2000.

ODU will meet Maryland at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the University of Louisville's Trager Stadium.

The Monarchs defeated then-No. 1 Maryland 4-0 at home in the third game of the season, then beat the Terrapins 5-2 on Oct. 14 in College Park, Md.

Kati Nearhouse helped ODU avoid a third overtime this season against Duke (14-8) when she set up at the left post and redirected a penalty corner blast by Lakeland High graduate Kelsey Smither with 7:20 to play.

"It was exciting," Nearhouse said. "It's always good to score the goal.

"Kelsey just took the shot and she put it right on my stick. She's that good."

After a scoreless first half, ODU took a 1-0 lead with 28:41 to play on a penalty corner play. Rebecca Condie started with the injection pass and Kathryn Kirk sent a quick touch into the pads of Blue Devils keeper Samantha Nelson. Condie had set up at the left post for the rebound tap-in.

Duke tied it 10 minutes later when Mary Nielsen tipped in a penalty corner blast by Rhian Jones.

ODU followed by mounting a fierce attack that paid off with Nearhouse's winner.

"We just fought," ODU coach Beth Anders said. "It wasn't going to be perfect and it wasn't going to be pretty. They just kept playing.

"It's something we've done all season."

And that's sound advice for their gridiron counterparts.

Lee Tolliver, (757) 222-5844, lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com

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