March 22, 2002

BALTIMORE - Virginia Tech used a hat trick from Samantha Sybert and two-goal performances from three others to cruise to a 10-5 win over the University of Denver in non-conference women's lacrosse action Friday afternoon at Johns Hopkins University.

A pair of first-year players, midfielders Melissa Holecheck (Hurlock, Md. / Sts. Peter & Paul HS) and Courtnay Gerl (Palm Beach, Fla. / Northfield Mt. Hermon HS), each had two goals for Denver (2-6), which lost its fifth straight game.

Senior Sarah Hazard (Owings Mills, Md. / Maryvale Prep) backstopped a superb defensive effort by the Pioneers, as she made a school-record 25 saves. That betters her own previous mark of 23 set at Davidson last year.

"Sarah Hazard played a phenomenal game for us, but it was certainly a team effort," said head coach Abby Burbank. "In addition, McKenzie Egender had her best game yet, and our defensive performance was critical because we didn't get a lot of offense today. Turnovers hurt us, we would do something great, then throw it away."

The Pioneers conclude their four-game spring break road trip on Sunday (Mar. 24) with a contest at Mount St. Mary's (Md.)

DENVER WOMEN'S LACROSSE at Baltimore, Md. (Homewood Field)
Virginia Tech 10, DENVER 5

                     1  2  -   F
Denver (2-6)         2  3  -   5
Virginia Tech (3-3)  4  6  -  10

Goals: DEN - Holecheck 2, Gerl 2, Bourdelaise, VT - Sybert 3,
   Hentz 2, Madden 2, Threadgold 2, Fullenkamp.
Assists: None.
Goalkeeping: DEN - Sarah Hazard (60 mins., 10 GA, 25 Svs.),
   VT - McGraw (60 mins., 5 GA, 6 Svs.).