LADY MONARCHS CROWNED NCAA CHAMPIONS

The top-seeded and top-ranked Old Dominion Lady Monarchs topped North Carolina, 3-1, in the NCAA National Field Hockey Division I National Championship Sunday afternoon at Foreman Field. The Lady Monarchs claimed their ninth overall NCAA crown and finished the season 25-1. North Carolina ended its season with a 20-4 record.

The Lady Monarchs took a 1-0 lead early in the game on a corner play. Senior midfielder Marina DiGiacomo (Mendoza, Argentina) connected with 24:57 remaining in the half. The play was assisted by Adrienne Yoder (Coopersburg, Pa.) and Marjolijn van der Sommen (Leiden, Netherlands). The lead would hold through halftime.

Old Dominion added an insurance goal at the 33:49 mark of the second half. Julie Miracle (Audubon, Pa.) put back a rebound off a DiGiacomo shot that would stand to be the gamewinner. North Carolina cut into the lead at 2-1 on a Kristen McCann (Macungie, Pa.) tip-in off an Abby Martin (Saratoga Springs, NY) corner shot. North Carolina, however, could get no closer.

The Lady Monarchs added a third goal for the win when Laura Steadman (Virginia Beach, Va.) connected at the 6:31 mark. Old Dominion sophomore goalkeeper Marybeth Freeman (Holland, Pa.) collected six saves, including five at crucial points in the second half.

Old Dominion's DiGiacomo finishes her career as the NCAA's all-time point leader with 414 points on 167 goals and 80 assists.