2005 NCAA® DIVISION III FIELD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP
hosted by Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Va.
November 18-19, 2005
MESSIAH DEFEATS BOWDOIN IN NCAA SEMIFINALS, 2-1
LEXINGTON, Va. -- Messiah College advanced to its fifth national championship game with a 2-1 win over Bowdoin College in the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championships hosted by Washington and Lee University on Friday morning.
The game began with Bowdoin controlling play in the midfield and the Polar Bears assumed a 1-0 advantage just 8:35 into the game as senior defender Margaret Gormley (Chestnut Hill, Mass./Noble & Greenough) found the cage off an assist from junior midfielder Taryn King (Georgetown, Mass./Brooks).
Messiah (20-2) began to take control at the 20:30 mark when senior midfielder Amber Fulginiti (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley) scored on a rocket shot from the top of the circle. The ball darted past Bowdoin junior goalkeeper Kate Leonard (Eliot, Maine/Phillips Academy) and was the first goal the Polar Bears had allowed in four games.
Following the game-tying score, Messiah began to apply pressure on the Bowdoin defense and it took the lead for good as senior forward Jenna Schwind (Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington Christian) scored at the 40:56 mark off an assist from senior defender Ashley Lobach (Hanover, Pa./South Western).
“The win feels great,” said Messiah Head Coach Jan Trapp. “You always want your team to win for the seniors and to have seven seniors this year and win is a great feeling. We showed our nerves in the beginning and after the first goal we just started playing better and better.”
Messiah held advantages of 21-11 in shots and 13-9 in penalty corners. Leonard posted 11 saves in goal for the Polar Bears, while freshman goalkeeper Renee Herbster (Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West) recorded six stops for the Falcons.
Bowdoin entered the semifinals as the only undefeated team in collegiate field hockey. The Polar Bears end their season with an 18-1 overall record. Messiah advances to tomorrow’s championship game where it will look to claim its’ first national championship. The Falcons will face the winner of the second semifinal between Ursinus College and Salisbury University. The National Championship game will be played at 1:00 pm.
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