Nov. 15, 2008
Winston-Salem, N.C.--Penalty corners lifted No. 2 Wake Forest past No. 18 American in the first round of the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament. The Demon Deacons scored five goals directly off penalty corners to beat the Eagles, 7-1, on Saturday at Kentner Stadium. Wake Forest advances to the second round, while American closes the season with a 13-8 record.
It took Wake Forest just 61 seconds to open the scoring. Hillary Moore took a feed from Raisa Schiller off a penalty corner and snuck the ball past American goalkeeper Alyssa Poorman.
The Eagles answered at the 13:27 mark in the first half when Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year converted on a penalty stroke to knot the score at 1-1.
The Demon Deacons rebuilt their lead with three consecutive goals before halftime, all off of penalty corners. Wake Forest tacked on three goals in the second half to secure its spot in the second round.
Wake Forest garnered nine penalty shots in the game, compared to three by the Eagles. American was out-shot, 18-7, including a 15-3 deficit in shots on goal. American goalkeeper Alyssa Poorman recorded eight saves against Wake Forest's vaunted offensive attack. Crystal Duffield made two stops for the Demon Deacons.
American will graduate four seniors from this year's team, who were part of four Patriot League Championship teams and three NCAA Tournaments.
