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Eagles, Captains seek an early edge today

October 4, 2006 12:50 am

S EVEN DAYS AGO, the University of Mary Washington field hockey team subdued 18th-ranked Catholic 2-1 in overtime. Today, the Eagles are confronted by the same challenge when Christopher Newport visits the Battleground Complex.

Both teams are riding six-game winning streaks and while the NCAA Division III tournament is more than a month away, today's outcome could influence whether the Eagles or Captains have a better chance of advancing.

After losing its first two games, CNU has reeled off six straight victories, gaining the 18th spot in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association's poll--the Captains' first-ever national ranking.

And although the CNU program is in only its sixth year, UMW players and coaches are not likely to take it lightly following last year's 4-0 setback. The Eagles won the three previous encounters, 3-2 in overtime, 4-0 and then 3-0 two seasons ago.

Besides a competitive battle, area fans might be attracted to the complex on Hanover Street due to the local connection on both sides. CNU has eight area players on its squad, including junior Ashley Traylor (Colonial Forge), who leads the Captains with nine goals.

UMW (8-2) has only one player from the area, defender Emily Nicotera (Chancellor), but assistant coach Robin Woodie (Stafford) is coming off a perfect 2005 season when she guided the Stafford Indians to the Group AAA state title.

Game time is 4:30 p.m. and admission is free.

Freshman Nick Wallace (Riverbend) booted a game-tying 25-yard field goal as time expired, then added a 37-yarder in the first overtime to lift Indiana University of Pennsylvania to a 23-20 victory over PSAC West rival Edinboro last Saturday.

Wallace is IUP's second-leading scorer with 21 points (3-of-5 field goals and 12-of-14 PATs).

Senior wide receiver D.D. Boxley (King George) is reportedly over his hamstring woes and is ready to contribute again, James Madison head football coach Mickey Matthews said Monday.

After sitting out the previous game against Northeastern, Boxley played last week against Virginia Military, but did not have any catches. He is expected to be close to full strength this weekend when the 13th-ranked Dukes (3-1) play host to Rhode Island.

Boxley was a key performer for the Dukes in their march to a Division I-AA national championship in 2004 but missed most of last season with a dislocated right ankle.

Fichthorn builds momentum

Salem College's Rachel Fichthorn (Liberty) trimmed five seconds off her personal-best time (21:11), winning the overall title and leading the women's cross country team to a second-place finish behind Mary Baldwin at the Greensboro (N.C.) Cross Country Invitational meet on Saturday.

"Rachel has become the woman to beat in North Carolina Division III competition. It won't be easy to overtake her," coach J.D. Widner said. "She's a great leader for our team and a product of hard work ethic."

Sophomore Eric Stinson (Spotsylvania County) provided the match-clinching point, defeating Army's James Raymond 4-and-3 to give the Navy golf team a 6-5 victory over its archrival.

Navy has posted victories in three of its last four matches at the West Point course. Up next, the Midshipmen travel to Philadelphia to compete in the Big 5 Invitational Oct. 13-14.

Junior Katie Warlick (Colonial Forge) is putting up big numbers for the Lynchburg volleyball team. The outside hitter leads the Hornets (7-10) with 189 kills and 186 digs and has 26 blocks.

Also on the team is freshman Kate Lively (Riverbend).

Former track and cross country runner Jose Brown (Spotsylvania) will be one of 50 students from across the county to to receive the National Society of Collegiate Scholars' merit awards later this month. Each person also will get a $1,000 scholarship award.

Brown, who works for the FBI, attends classes at George Washington University.

Junior Liz Hudson (Culpeper) scored twice and assisted on two other goals, sparking the Roanoke field hockey team to its 7-2 victory over Shenandoah.

Concord University goalie Sarah Coelho (Catlett) posted back-to-back shutouts against Charleston and Wheeling Jesuit, recording 12 saves in the process, to capture the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Association's player of the week honors for women's soccer.

Sophomore receiver Jarvis Powers (Brooke Point) caught a 9-yard scoring pass as the Robert Morris (Pa.) Colonials amassed 406 yards of total offense in a 45-13 football victory over St. Francis.

Virginia Commonwealth's Reagan Merriam (Massaponax) finished third (20:38.71) and Libby Little (Courtland) placed sixth (20:44.09) as the Rams easily outdistanced runner-up Norfolk State, 25-42, at the Maymont Cross Country Festival in Richmond. Southern Virginia's Margaret 'Midge' Schroeder (Colonial Forge) placed 16th (21:50.69).

Virginia Wesleyan's Evan Ashby (Liberty) posted the third-fastest 8-k time (27:37) in school history en route to a 35th-place finish at the Tidewater Fall Classic at Salisbury, Md. The VWC men placed sixth out of 12 teams.

To reach KURT NICOLL: 540/374-5441
Email: knicoll@freelancestar.com