No. 16 field hockey continues to dominate CAA

By: Brett Fischer

Posted: 10/17/08

Apparently, the women's field hockey team doesn't know how to stop winning.

Since losing to No. 6 James Madison 2-1 Oct. 3, the No. 16 Dragons have won four straight games including their most recent win against Penn to give them a sweep over Philadelphia teams for the season (Villanova, St. Joe's, Temple).

In addition, they have won eight of their last nine games to improve their record to 12-3 (4-1 CAA).

"If you asked me if we were going to be 12-3, I would've said, 'Of course,' but this is our Cinderella season," Coach Denise Zelenak said.

A large reason why Drexel has won its past three games is due to sophomore Kim Tunell who has been on a tear of late, getting 12 points in her last three games.

"We have to play our game instead of focusing on the teams we're playing," Tunell said. "Everyone will try to beat us because we're the team to beat, but we have to stay humble."

Even though Drexel started as an underdog, teams are starting to realize Drexel is a major threat to other teams competing for a CAA Title.

"It's new for them to go in, but we're not the underdog anymore," Coach Denise Zelenak said. "We are being scouted. They are coming in and will be pumped up to play us. It's a big responsibility to be able to go for a full 70 minutes."

There have been several big moments for this team already this season. Aside from taking all four games from the Philly teams, the Dragons swept the state of California earlier this season when they defeated Cal and Stanford and they beat Old Dominion for the first time ever 3-0 Oct. 20.

Coach Zelenak said sweeping the California teams was a key moment to the start of the year.

"I think for this season and the games itself, I'd say the California sweep was the most exciting and started us off on a positive.

Forward Susan Ciufo, who has scored in 15 consecutive games, which is the longest streak in school history and the CAA this season, said she was surprised her team beat Old Dominion, but she had confidence in her team.

"When we beat Old Dominion, I think everyone on the team was first in shock, after never beating them before," Ciufo said. "It was a great feeling and we realized we're going to the CAA Championship."

With only four games left in the season, three of which are home, the women's field hockey team hopes to finish off strong as it prepares for the CAA Championship starting Nov. 5.