Field Hockey 1999 Season Review
Wake finished second in the country in scoring offense.
Dec. 7, 1999
The 1999 season was a memorable one for the Wake Forest field hockey team.
The Deacons posted an 18-4 record and were ranked as high as third
nationally. The team also reached the finals of the ACC Tournament for the
first time and competed in its first NCAA Tournament, reaching the
quarterfinal round.
The Deacons began the season with a 7-1 win over Radford and an 8-0 win
over Louisville. Wake then traveled to Appalachian State and came away with
a 5-0 victory. After the brief road trip, the Deacons returned home to take
on the Duke Blue Devils in a non-conference game. Wake ran over the Blue
Devils 6-0 to improve to 4-0 on the season.
After a 7-1 win at home over American, the Deacons traveled to Louisville,
Ky. for the University of Louisville Tournament. WFU defeated Miami (Ohio)
6-1 and Pacific 6-0 in the tournament. The Deacs improved to 8-0 with a
10-1 win at home over the Davidson Wildcats. After the win over Davidson,
the Deacons went to Maryland to take on the defending national champion
Terrapins in the ACC opener. The Deacons suffered their first loss of the
season in a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Terrapins.
Next up for Wake was a home game with the second-ranked North Carolina Tar
Heels. The Deacons played one of their better games of the season in
defeating the Tar Heels 2-0 to improve to 9-1 on the season. After 3-2 wins
over William & Mary and Dartmouth, the Deacs traveled to Chapel Hill for a
rematch with North Carolina. In a hard-fought game, Wake gained its second
win over UNC this season 3-2 in overtime. The second win over UNC, unlike
the first, did not count in the ACC standings.
The Deacs then came home to take a 7-0 win over Virginia Commonwealth.
After the win over VCU, Wake went to Durham for an ACC contest with Duke.
The Blue Devils handed the Deacons their second loss of the season,
dropping Wake's record to 13-2 overall and 1-2 in ACC play.
Next up for the Deacs was their last home game of the season against ACC
foe Virginia. Wake took control of the game from the outset and cruised to
an 8-1 victory. Wake ended its regular season with wins at Boston College
(3-0) and Boston University (1-0). They finished the regular season a
record of 16-2 overall and 2-2 in ACC play.
Wake Forest was selected to host the 1999 ACC Field Hockey Tournament at
Kentner Stadium. In its first game, Wake was pitted against North Carolina
for the third time. The Deacs once again came out on top, this time 6-1. In
the championship game, Wake Forest met defending champion Maryland. The two
teams were even at 1-1 through regulation and one overtime before Maryland
scored in the second overtime to capture its second straight ACC
Championship.
The Deacons were ranked third in the next week's NSCAA poll, and as a
result, were rewarded by being selected to host the first two rounds of the
NCAA Tournament. In the first round, the Deacs defeated the James Madison
Dukes 3-0, with all three goals being scored by senior Amy Marchell. Wake
then faced Michigan for a chance to go to the Final Four in Boston. Wake
scored a goal late in the first half and late in the second half to send
the game to overtime tied at 2-2. After one scoreless overtime, the game
ended in the second overtime when Michigan scored on a penalty stroke to
win 3-2.
DEACONS REACH HIGHEST RANKING IN PROGRAM'S HISTORY
The Wake Forest field hockey team was ranked third in the NFHCA poll after
making it to the finals of the ACC Tournament for the first time. The
ranking is the highest in the program's history. The Deacs ended the
season ranked fifth in the country.
LEADING THE WAY
Statistically, junior Jenny Everett led the team with 62 total points and
27 goals scored. She was also tied for fourth on the team in assists with
eight. Sophomore Jennie Shelton was second on the team in both total points
(40) and goals scored (16). Seniors Samantha Rush and Amy Marchell shared
the team lead in assists with 15 apiece. Senior goalkeeper Meaghan Nitka
allowed just 22 goals in 22 games played for a goals against average of
1.14. Meaghan also had 119 saves to her credit.
WAKE FOREST PLACES THREE PLAYERS ON ALL-AMERICA TEAMS
Wake Forest placed three players on the NFHCA All-America teams. Junior
Jenny Everett was named to the first team. Senior goalkeeper Meaghan Nitka
was named to the second team, while fellow senior Amy Marchell was named to
the third team. Everett, Nitka, Marchell and sophomore Jennie Shelton were
also named to the NFHCA South Region All-America Team.
AVERILL EARNS COACH OF THE YEAR HONORS
Head coach Jennifer Averill was named the 1999 ACC Coach of the Year,
as well as the NFHCA South Region Coach of the Year. She guided the Deacons
to an 18-4 record and a number five final national ranking. After eight
seasons at Wake Forest, Averill has a record of 80-72 in her time with the
Deacons.
THREE DEACONS EARN ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS
Three Wake Forest players were named to the 1999 All-ACC team. Senior
Meaghan Nitka, junior Jenny Everett and sophomore Jemima Cameron all
received All-ACC honors. Nitka was also named to the All Conference team in
1998 as a junior.
DEACONS NEAR THE TOP IN NATIONAL STATISTICS
Wake Forest finished the season second in the country in scoring offense
(4.29 ppg.) and average margin of victory (3.28 ppg.). The Deacons are
also fifth in winning percentage (82) and scoring defense (1.01 ppg.).
Junior Jenny Everett ranks third in goals with 27 and fifth in goals per
game, averaging 1.2 per game. Everett is also fifth in points (62) and
sixth in points per game (2.82).
