After defeating 19th-ranked Virginia 2-0 on Oct. 27, the now 3rd-ranked field hockey team can say they have accomplished something never done before in school history. With wins over Maryland, UNC, Duke and now Virginia, the Deacs closed their regular season play undefeated in the ACC and enter the ACC championship with a 14-2 overall record.

The Deacs have been known as an attacking style of team, and they showed their capabilities once again as Head Coach Jen Averill's squad harassed Virginia goalie Emily White with five shots in the opening five minutes.

"We could not have asked for a better first half performance," Averill said. "I thought that our scouting was excellent and we attacked their weakness. Kelly Doton single handedly tore them apart along with a a great supporting cast."

The first goal would come in the eighth minute of play when the Deacs drew a penalty corner and freshman Maeke Boreel tipped a shot from sophomore Kelly Dostal into the net to give Wake Forest the early 1-0 lead.

As if Virginia was not already under enough pressure, the Deacs tallied another goal just two minutes later. Senior and reigning ACC Player of the Week Heather Aughinbaugh took the ball into the circle and fired it past White to put the Deacs on top 2-0.

After two quick goals it was the defense's turn to maintain the shut out. The Deacs limited the Cavaliers to one shot on the day while amassing 25 themselves. Junior goalkeeper Katie Ridd had to make one save on the day while White was forced to make 14 stops.

"We did not generate as many scoring opportunities in the second half, but the statistics told the story, and we dominated the game in a great performance," Averill said. "I felt all season long we were making positive progress and this game was no doubt a reflection of our progress up to this point."

Averill has organized the next two weeks in an effort to keep the Deacs focused and in shape, while giving them a well-deserved rest at the same time.

"This week we are going to put together some conditioning and making sure they stay in shape, work on some fundamentals and keep them competitive," Averill said. "They will get the weekend off which will be a good rest and that gives us three days before we go into Friday's ACC tournament game."

The Deacs look towards their matchup against the winner of the 4th and 5th-seeded teams and will try to win their first-ever ACC Championship. Though they have been close before one could say this year Averill is bringing her best team and with it, her best chance.

"From a coach's perspective: cohesively, talent- wise and depth, you just go through all the aspects of what comprises a team and yes this is definitely one of the best," Averill said.

Following the Deacs' weeks of preparation, the team is back into action on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at the 2002 ACC Championship in Durham. Their undefeated ACC record provides them with a first-round bye and pits them against the winner of the 4th-seed Duke and 5th-seed Virginia.

"We have great leadership that has stepped it up and said they recognize what they have accomplished in the past and are not satisfied," Averill said. "They want more and they are going after it."