JMU CAPTURES SECOND CAA FIELD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP

Sunday, November 5

Virginia Beach, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

Old Dominion

11/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Nov. 5, 2006 - Sophomore Melissa Walls (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional) converted a penalty stroke 22 minutes into the contest and it held up as the winning goal as second-seeded James Madison University defeated top-seeded Old Dominion University 1-0 to claim the 2006 Colonial Athletic Association Field Hockey Championship at the U.S. National Training Center.

JMU (15-7), ranked 17^th nationally in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I poll, captured its second CAA field hockey championship. JMU?s first championship was a 2-1 win over Old Dominion in 1995. It was the ninth appearance in the title game for the Dukes and the first since 2001. Third-ranked ODU (19-3) was prevented from winning its 14^th title in the last 16 years.

"It's a fantastic feeling," commented third-year head coach Antoinette Lucas. "We've wanted to beat a high nationally-ranked opponent all year and I'm not sure we realistically thought it would come in the CAA championship match."

The Monarchs led in shots 23-1, but the one shot for the Dukes was all they needed as Walls connected on her third penalty stroke goal of the season in four attempts with 13 minutes remaining in the first half. ODU also led in penalty corners 21-1. JMU was able to withstand 14 corners, 17 shots, and a missed ODU penalty stroke in the second half to hold onto the victory.

Lucas commented, "We talked about how we'd have to execute when we had the opportunity. You never imagine that you'll survive 21 corners against you. But we were hoping to be able to hang in there and in the end take the punch."

Freshman goalkeeper Kelsey Cutchins (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland) played a huge role in taking the punch as she recorded 14 saves in goal for the Dukes, including 12 in the second half. She had 22 saves in the tournament and recorded her fourth solo shutout of the season, all against CAA opponents.

Cutchins was joined on the CAA all-tournament team by Most Outstanding Player Baillie Versfeld (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe/Domincan Convent), Melissa Walls, and sophomore Lauren Walls (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional).

ODU was represented on the all-tournament team by Denise Admiraal, Caroline Nichols, and Dana Sensenig. They were joined by Hofstra's Leslie DeSimone and Kara McEneaney as well as Northeastern's Sarah Eckhoff and Susan Hazelset.

With the win, JMU has earned the CAA's automatic berth to the NCAA championship. Lucas added, "We didn't think we had a chance at an at-large bid because we hadn't beaten a top opponent all year. This was the only way we were going to make it. I'm just excited for the kids. There's nothing like it, moving on to the NCAA Tournament."

NCAA first round matches beginning Saturday, Nov. 11. Opponents and sites will be announced during the selection show, scheduled to air on CSTV on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

*Interview with head coach Antoinette Lucas.