May 26, 2005

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The 2005 Virginia Tech lacrosse team showed great strides during its inaugural season in Atlantic Coast Conference play, nearly knocking off then-No. 6 North Carolina. Despite being just a few plays away from a winning record, the Hokies have already begun to look ahead to 2006 as they return every player on the roster.

With ACC Freshman of the Year Natasha Fuchs leading the way for the Hokies, head coach Tami Riley and her staff are eager to build off the high points from the 2005 season.

"With everyone expected back, we have a lot of experience," Riley said. "The offense, defense and midfield all played together as a unit. We will be able to build off our first ACC season for the 2006 season."

Fuchs (Bay Shore, N.Y.) finished the year as one of the most productive and fiercest players, not only in Virginia Tech history, but in the NCAA. Her 36 assists (2.40/game) were tops in the ACC and were third best in the country. Her 3.86 scoring average also put her in the top 25 in the NCAA.

"Our staff expects every player to do great things," Riley stated. "We want everyone to do well after putting in maximum effort. We are very pleased with Natasha's season and are excited to see how she can build off that next year."

After weather forced the cancellation of the first two games, the third game was moved to George Mason. Tech managed to start the season strong, posting an 11-8 victory over the home team. Freshman standout Kady McBrearty (Alexandria, Va.) netted the game-winning goal for her first collegiate score.

The Hokies hit the road for five consecutive away contests, losing two games by a single goal, before returning home to the friendly confines of the Virginia Tech Lacrosse Stadium.

Playing Howard at home for the first time in school history, Tech jumped out to a 1-0 lead in less than a minute and never looked back, holding the Bison scoreless in the first half. Playing under the lights and fresh off a tough loss to La Salle, the Hokies looked dominant as 11 players tallied at least one goal and seven players had at least one assist, culminating in one of the most dominating performances the Tech faithful had ever witnessed.

While combining for 21 goals and 16 assists, Riley's squad tied the school record for the most points in a home game. Sophomore Lindsay Pieper (Rensselear, N.Y.) led the way with five goals on six shots, while Fuchs dished out six assists in addition to netting two goals.

"It was exciting to see our team play so well together," Riley said. "They demonstrated the advances our program has made. From our starters to the entire team, everyone made great strides."

Tech continued its momentum from the Howard game to its next outing against Bucknell. The Hokies raced out to a quick lead and won easily, 16-6. The defense stifled the Bison in the first half, holding the visitors without a score on a mere six shots. On the attack, Pieper thwarted the Bucknell defense with four goals while McBrearty and junior Stephanie Jones (Arnold, Md.) each accounted for three scores.

On Apr. 2, Maryland came to Blacksburg for the Hokies' first ACC contest. After falling behind 5-1 at the intermission, Tech proved it could play with the top teams in the country, netting six second-half goals, before falling 14-7.

The Hokies hosted Davidson four days later, winning 20-2. For the third time in just over a week, Tech's defense held its opponent without a first half goal. In the game, Fuchs led the way with seven points on three goals and four assists while sophomore Britt Faulkner (Ellicott City, Md.) amassed four goals.

The Tar Heels came into town ranked sixth in the country and barely escaped an all-out Tech effort by a 12-10 score. After North Carolina jumped out to an 8-3 advantage, Faulkner and Jones each tallied two goals, helping the home team knot the score at 9-9 on a rain-filled afternoon.

After a loss in Charlottesville to No. 5 Virginia, the Hokies polished off their home season with a 17-5 victory over Lafayette. Faulkner tallied five goals while Fuchs had six assists and five draw controls in the game.

Despite Tech's loss to end the regular season at No. 2 Duke and its elimination from the ACC Tournament by UNC, the Hokies put up some pretty impressive numbers in 2005.

As a team, the Hokies produced the third-highest scoring game in the NCAA with the victory over Howard. They also ranked in the top five for draw controls per game.

On the defensive end, Katie Boyle (Cherry Hill, N.J.) and Fuchs each caused a team-high 17 turnovers. Sophomore Bryana Keenan (Riva, Md) accounted for 15 while Pieper forced 14. Fellow sophomores Kate Schilling (Richmond, Va.) and Jamie Webster (Rocky Point, N.Y.) accounted for 11 and 10, respectively, while freshman Jessica Galindo (Ellicott City, Md.) tallied nine.

Six players tallied at least 10 draw controls for Tech, who won 203 compared to 153 for its opponents.

Statistically, collectively and individually, Tech showed they belonged in the ACC. As a team, the Hokies finished first in draw controls per game (13.53) and tied for first in face-off percent (.632) with the Blue Devils. The Hokies also led the conference in saves per game (9.80) and were fourth in assists per game (5.47).

The Tech offensive attack featured two of the top-ten goal scorers per game in the league as Faulkner (2.40) and Pieper (1.87) etched their names in the standings at the fourth and eighth slots, respectively. Fuchs led the conference in assists per game while Jones tied for sixth (1.00).

Three players were among the leaders in points per game in the ACC. Fuchs finished third while Jones (2.73) was seventh and Faulkner (2.67) was eighth. Pieper tallied the sixth-most game-winning goals in the league with two. The trio of Faulkner, Pieper and Jones were fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively, in shots per game. Pieper placed fourth in draw controls per contest (2.40) and Fuchs finished fifth (2.13). Goalkeeper Nikki Schiavone (Baltimore, Md.) was third in saves per game (9.07).

Faulkner moved into the seventh spot in a single season at Tech after accounting for 36 goals.

In addition to her record-setting 36 assists, Fuchs' 57 points were fourth best in a season at Tech, while her 32 draw controls were eighth-best.

Jones' 15 assists moved her into the eighth spot for a season at Virginia Tech. Schiavone (Baltimore, Md.), a sophomore, recorded the eighth-most saves in a season with 136, including her career-high 17 in the ACC Tournament loss to North Carolina.

Several Hokies moved up the career ranks as well in 2005. Jones now stands in eighth on the goals scored list with 69 while Faulkner is one behind her in ninth. Jones is seventh in assists with 33 and ninth in career points.

Fuchs moved into fifth place in career assists. Jones is now third in draw controls while Pieper and Boyle are ninth and 10^th all-time, respectively.

Boyle has caused the eighth-most turnovers in Tech lacrosse history with 40. Schiavone is fifth in saves (136), first in goals against average (10.14) and fifth in save percentage (.463) all-time at Tech. Junior goalkeeper Carrie Hill (Severna Park, Md.) is second in goals against average (11.03) after 2005.

"It shows the advances the student-athletes have achieved," Riley stated. "It shows how strong and powerful the team can be. They will continue to improve and do better every single game. The team should be proud of what they accomplished individually and collectively and look forward to seeing what they can do in 2006."

With 12 players recording at least 10 starts in 2005 and everyone playing in at least three contests, the experience gained this season in a new conference will be invaluable for the Hokies in 2006.