Sept. 14, 2006

The Virginia field hockey team has moved up in the national rankings again and now sits at No. 10 in the NFHCA rankings, sponsored by STX. The Cavaliers (4-1) also rank 10th nationally in scoring average, coming in at 3.56. In addition, three student-athletes, Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn, Traci Ragukas, and Biffy Cornelison, rank individually in the national statistics.

Virginia's scoring defense of 1.78 goals allowed per game ranks 26th nationally, and combined with the nation's tenth-best offense of 3.56 goals scored per game, the Cavaliers rank 15th nationally in scoring margin (plus 1.78).

Kaars Sijpesteijn and Ragukas, two newcomers to the Cavalier field hockey program, are tied for 17th nationally in scoring per game at 2.40 points per game. Both have five goals and two assists on the campaign. They are also tied for 13th nationally in goals per game at 1.00 per game. Biffy Cornelison ranks 28th nationally after scoring 10 points in Virginia's five games, and she ranks 20th nationally in assist per game, notching four in the Hoos' five games.

This is the first year that the NCAA is sponsoring national statistics after eight years being administered by the NFHCA.

Virginia is also ranked 12th nationally by womensfieldhockey.com.

The Cavaliers (4-1) face two opponents in three days this weekend, starting with a home match on Friday against in-state rival VCU followed by a trip to No. 4 UNC on Sunday (Sept 17). Game time against the Rams is 7:00.

Fans for Friday's game should note that parking for the contest is in the University Hall Cage Lot. The Virginia Athletics Department is also hosting both a men's and women's soccer match that day, and there is also a concert in the John Paul Jones Arena across the street, which will compromise parking ability. Overflow parking for all events can be found in the Emmett/Ivy Garage on Ivy Road, across the railroad tracks from the pitch.