Field Hockey Begins NorPac Play Against Longwood Saturday

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DAVIDSON, N.C. - The Davidson field hockey team will begin its NorPac East regular season title defense Saturday against Longwood at 12 p.m. at Belk Turf Field. A host of giveaways will be available to Wildcats fans who attend.

The first 100 women in attendance will receive a free pair of earrings courtesy of Monkee's of Lake Norman. The first 125 students will receive Wildcats sunglasses, while the first 100 wearing red will receive free chicken tenders from Tenders. Students can also register to win a $50 gift card to Best Buy or a $25 gift card to CVS during the first half.

LAST TIME OUT: Kelsey Kolojejchick led No. 2 North Carolina with two goals and two assists as the Tar Heels defeated Davidson field hockey, 5-0 Sunday afternoon at Francis E. Henry Stadium. UNC (9-1) took control of the game early with four goals in the first eight minutes. Junior Finley Amato led Davidson (4-4) with two shots. Junior goalkeeper Sarah Fisher made nine saves, while Caitlin Powers made two stops for the Tar Heels.

Longwood (NorPac) won a double-overtime thriller over visiting Radford, 3-2 in the Lancers' NorPac opener Tuesday evening at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Longwood scored two goals in less than one minute to tie the match at 2-2 late in the second half before sophomore Stacey de Grandhomme scored the match-winner in the 96th minute for the Lancers against the Highlanders.

THE SERIES: Davidson is 11-8-1 all-time against Longwood, splitting last season's regular season matches. Longwood earned a 2-0 victory over Davidson in the NorPac Tournament third-place game after the 'Cats suffered a loss to Cal in penalty strokes the day before.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Davidson returns NorPac Player and Offensive Player of the Year Finley Amato, as well as all-conference defender Steph Meador. Amato leads the team in scoring with four goals and three assists. Sophomore Annie Evans has three goals and two assists. Seniors Christine Rua and Krista Jackson have two goals apiece.

Longwood is led in scoring by Stacy de Grandhomme with five goals. Goalkeeper Kaye Goulding leads the NorPac with a .782 save percentage. de Grandhomme and defender Olga Knop were members of the 2010 all-conference team.

COACHES: Ginny Turner, honored last season as the 2010 NorPac Coach of the Year, is in her fifth season at the helm of the Wildcats after guiding the Wildcats to one of the most successful seasons in program history last season. Iain Byers is in his seventh year at Longwood University during 2011-12, and in his fourth year as head coach following the appointment in April 2008 with a three-year overall record of 28-36.

HONORS: Tyler McFayden was named the NorPac East Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the double-overtime, game-winning goal at William & Mary. Finley Amato was named the NorPac East Offensive Player of the Week after tallying a goal and an assist against No. 16 Louisville. Sarah Fisher was named the NorPac East Defensive Player of the Week after posting a season-opening shutout against Georgetown.

TOP 20: Davidson received votes in the 2011 Kookaburra/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Preseason Top 20 Poll, earning two points, earned one point for the week of Sept. 13, and earned another point in the most recent poll.

UP NEXT: Davidson will travel to NorPac foe Appalachian State Tuesday.

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