Virginia eyes F. Hockey final

Cavalier Daily COLLEGE PARK, Md. (U-WIRE) -- The Virginia field hockey team avenged last week's loss in the ACC Tournament final and moved into the NCAA Final Four with a dominating 5-1 victory against fourth-seeded Maryland on Sunday. The Terrapins (16-6) defeated the Cavaliers (18-4), 1-0, in overtime last Sunday in Charlottesville for the ACC Championship. But unseeded Virginia earned sweet revenge Sunday, punching their tickets for Franklin Field in Philadelphia, home of the 1998 Final Four. "Last Sunday was a very tough loss for us," Cavalier Coach Missi Sanders said. "We outshot them 11-3 and all week long, that's all we thought about. It sat in the back of my head all week long? It just puts a fire, a big fire, in you." The statistics were similar yesterday. The Cavs posted a 12-4 shot advantage, but unlike last week, the bounces went the Cavaliers' way and Virginia ran away with the victory. "Things just didn't go in for us at all last weekend," Cav midfielder Michelle Vizzuso said. "This time everything was there, little tips went in, balls went our way. That's the way it goes sometimes." Vizzuso created the first Cavalier goal with 20 minutes and 14 seconds left in the first half. On a penalty corner chance, she pulled the ball to her right and fired a shot on goal. Terp goalie Angela Platt made the initial save, but midfielder Laura Lindsay punched in the rebound to tie the score at 1-1. But Michelle was not the Vizzuso of the day. Younger sister and forward Lorraine Vizzuso scored two goals, giving her three for the weekend, including what turned out to be the game-winner with 18:00 left in the first half. Lorraine Vizzuso also scored a goal in Virginia's 4-2 win in the first round against Kent State Saturday. "I think my goals have been the accumulation of other people setting me up perfectly," Lorraine Vizzuso said. "I've been in the right place at the right time? I just keep running and eventually they'll hit me and it will go in." Lorraine's game-winner came courtesy of a great effort from defensive back Lori Mastropietro. After Lindsay's goal tied the score at 1-1, Maryland quickly earned a penalty corner chance, but Virginia cleared the ball and created an odd-man chance the other way. Mastropietro set up Vizzuso's goal after a long run from her own end. Lorraine Vizzuso would score again early in the second half to begin what turned into a rout. Midfielder Melissa Hayes's top shelf blast and forward Meredith Elwell's diving deflection finished out the scoring. "I think [Virginia's] attitude couldn't have been at more of a championship contention level," Terrapins Coach Missy Meharg said. "I think they brought a lot of emotion from last weekend to College Park and that was definitely in their favor." The Cavs will face top-seeded Old Dominion Friday in the semifinals. The Monarchs eliminated three-time defending champion North Carolina, 7-2, in Norfolk Sunday. Friday's showdown will be a rematch of last year's NCAA semifinal, which the Monarchs won, 3-2.