Second to None
By Jim Gleitman
Sports Editor

It has been all about perseverance for the field hockey team.

Making their third consecutive trip to the Final Four, the team decided this year was their year, and in a display of pure dominance, the Deacs were unstoppable, uncontainable and, most of all, untouchable, on their way to winning the 21-year-old program’s first national championship.

The 1986 men’s golf team garnered the last national championship for Wake Forest, and a woman’s sport has never achieved such a feat.

However, Head Coach Jen Averill’s squad marched into Louisville, Ky., Nov. 24 with a sense of purpose and confidence, defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions 2-0.

“Basically there was just a ton of excitement,” sophomore Kelly Dostal said. “We came off of a huge win against Michigan State, and you really can’t play in a bigger game.”

The Deacs were determined from the outset to set the tone and maintain control over a Penn State squad they previously defeated, 6-1, Oct. 12.

“I think we had momentum before the whistle blew just with our warm up,” senior Heather Aughinbaugh said. “But, during the game, I would probably say after the first five minutes we kind of took control and then definitely after Kelly (Doton) scored the first goal on the corner that got us started, and we just continued to attack like we had been doing all season.”

Averill’s teams have always been known for their attacking style of play, but the Deacs showed they know a thing or two about defense as well and managed to ride the four-game trip through the tournament without giving up a goal. The 1992 Old Dominion squad was the last team to achieve such an incredible accomplishment.

“It took a lot of teamwork,” Aughinbaugh said. “Everyone covered for each other and Ridd (goalkeeper) was just huge. The backfield was so strong and consistent each game.”

The Deacs struck first off a penalty corner when junior Kelly Doton fired a shot off the keeper’s pad into the cage. Just three minutes later, Aughinbaugh made her way across the top of the circle and ripped a shot off the far post. Aughinbaugh and Doton were both recently selected first-team All-Americans, and Dostal was named to the second team.

“Prior to the game, Jen (Averill) told me that if I can cut it across the top of the circle, do it,” Aughinbaugh said. “I had scored a similar goal against them the first time we played them, so when I just saw the space at the top of the circle, I took it on the dribble and shot far post. Although it put us up 2-0, I knew we couldn’t back down after what Penn State had done to Old Dominion on Friday night.”

On Nov. 22 Penn State knocked off top-seed Old Dominion 3-2 in the semi-finals, while the Deacs made quick work of Michigan State in a 3-0 shut out.

The Nittany Lions’ fierce comeback against Old Dominion gave the Deacs reason to remain focused.

“Penn state had a great comeback against Old Dominion, so we knew they were an emotional team with the potential to come back when they’re behind,” Dostal said. “But with about three minutes left, I looked at Heather and said ‘we’re national champions.’”

And champions they have been all season. After heartbreaking defeats in previous years, Averill sent a message to the team in the off-season that this was to be a year of no excuses.
“Jen always talked about acting like a champion throughout the season,” Dostal said. “Our actions definitely backed that motto”

Their actions produced the titles to both the ACC and the national championships and gave the team a record of 20-2.
The program has seen incredible success in recent years and is product of which Averill is quite proud.

“I’m so incredibly thrilled for the kids, for the institution and for my coaching staff,” Averill said. “You dream about these moments. I really felt coming into the tournament, that we had a championship team. However, you have to respect your opponent and play your best. To come into the tournament and play in the fashion that we did, it just seemed like that with every game we were successful with, the appetite was insatiable. They just wanted more.”

The seniors definitely wanted it the most after the disappointing finishes of years past.

As leaders of this championship team, they helped orchestrate the historic run into the record books and gave more reason for the program to receive the respect it deserves.

“It is just another stepping stone,” Aughinbaugh said. “As a player, it’s a dream come true, especially as a senior. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my college career.”