Nov. 6, 2001

NORFOLK, VA -- The defending national championship field hockey team was ranked second in this week's STX/NFHCA poll released today. Old Dominion closed out the week with two victories over nationally ranked opponents en route to capturing the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title. The Lady Monarchs currently await the 16-team NCAA Tournament bracket, which will be announced at 8:00 p.m. this evening.

The Lady Monarchs (17-5, 3-0 CAA) have faired well against the teams ranked in the top 20 of this week's poll. Among the victories include #3 Wake Forest, #4 North Carolina, #10 Virginia, #14 Penn State, #13 William and Mary, #16 James Madison and two wins over the top ranked Terrapins of Maryland. All four losses this season have come at the hands of opponents within the top 10 (#4 North Carolina, #6 Princeton, # 7 (tied) Michigan, & #7 (tied) Michigan State).

Old Dominion will be heading back to the NCAA tournament for the 20th time in the school's history and will be looking to defend its 2001 championship crown. The Lady Monarchs have won the NCAA trophy an outstanding nine times since NCAA Tournament play began back in 1981. Last season, Old Dominion capped off its 25-1 season with a 3-1 victory over North Carolina on Foreman Field.

The first and second rounds will be held on campus sites this weekend and will be announced during tonight's selection show. The NCAA Field Hockey Final Four will be held on the campus of Kent State in Ohio.

For more information regarding tonight's selection show, log on to www.ncaachampionships.com

STX/NFHCA NATIONAL COACHES' POLL

	Institution (record)	                  Points	Previous Ranking

1.	University of Maryland (17-3)	          352 (10)	1 Tie
2.	Old Dominion University (17-4)	          350 (8)	1 Tie
3.	Wake Forest University (14-4)	          324	        3
4.	University of North Carolina (14-6)	  295	        4
5.	Ohio State University (15-4)	          278	        9
6.	Princeton University (15-2)	          258	        7
7.	University of Michigan (14-5)	          247	        5
Tie.	Michigan State University (15-5)	  247	        6
9.	Ohio University (16-4)	                  209	        10
10.	University of Virginia (13-7)	          208	        8
11.	Kent State University (13-7)	          166	        12
12.	University of Iowa (13-5)	          155	        16
13.	College of William & Mary (14-5)	  127	        11
14.	Penn State University (12-7)	          122	        13
15.	University of Louisville (16-5)	          107	        14
16.	James Madison University (12-9)	           97	        17
17.	Duke University (9-9)	                   79	        15
18.	Syracuse University (15-3)	           65	        18
19.	Northeastern University (15-6)	           56	        19
20.	University of California, Berkeley (13-4)  30	        20

    
Also Receiving Votes: Harvard University (3), Dartmouth College (2), Stanford
University (2),University of Massachusetts (1)