Nov. 7, 1999

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.-- Top-ranked Maryland defeated Wake Forest 2-1 in double overtime in the finals of the 1999 ACC Field Hockey Tournament at Kentner Stadium Sunday afternoon.

Carla Tagliente's goal with 13:09 remaining in the second overtime period lifted the Terrapins to their third ever ACC title. The goal came off a breakaway by Tagliente, and was deflected off Wake Forest goalie Meaghan Nitka as it sailed into the goal.

Maryland got on the board early, scoring a minute and a half into the game as Keli Smith took a ball from Caroline Walter and put it past Nitka. The Demon Deacons' only goal came with 27:49 remaining when Amy Marchell scored an unassisted goal in front of Maryland goalkeeper Ashley Hohnstine.

The Terrapins outshot Wake Forest 15-9, including a game-high six by Tagliente. Nitka registered 10 saves for the Deacons, while Hohnstine recorded seven. Marchell's five shots inside the circle led Wake Forest. Maryland improves to 20-1 overall, and the Deacons drop to 17-3.

GOALS: Keli Smith (Walter) (UMD), 33:27, Amy Marchell (WFU) 27:49, 2OT: Carla Tagliente (UMD).

PENALTY CORNERS: UMD: 9 WFU: 7

SAVES: UMD: 7 WFU: 10

WAKE FOREST HEAD COACH JENNIFER AVERILL
"I don't think we could ask anything more from either team, it was a hard fought game throughout. After an early goal, I was proud that my team was able to fight back. I think our pressure on their backfield led to good opportunities, we just weren't able to capitalize. Our players came into the game fired up, believing that it was theirs to win. The loss is not that devastating, instead it is more of learning experience for the upcoming NCAA tournament."

WAKE FOREST'S AMY MARCHELL
"We won't let this loss bother us too long. I believe that we are taking confidence into the NCAA's by taking the number 1 ranked team to double overtime. We only lost three games this year, they are what we learn from."

MARYLAND HEAD COACH MISSY MEHARG
"I'm feeling excitement and relief. It was really a class act of resilience both mentally and physically. Maryland hockey has demonstrated a certain level of hockey. I'm not sure we had our A game. Wake Forest is a great team and a class act."

MARYLAND'S KELI SMITH
"I think they really stepped up to the ball. We were a little off our game in the first half and got caught off our heels."

MARYLAND'S CARLA TAGLIENTE
"All I was trying to do was keep my body between Jemima (Cameron) and the ball. I just tried to keep the ball in a place I could shoot it and it just went in. It was a great feeling getting the game-winning goal."