University of Richmond Athletics
Field Hockey Faces City Rival VCU and Honors its Two Seniors This Week
10/28/2003 | Field Hockey
Oct. 28, 2003
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The 13th-ranked University of Richmond field hockey team concludes it outstanding regular season with two home contests this week. Wednesday's match-up highlights the battle between cross-town rivals, Spiders versus Rams and Saturday's contest, against Duke, will be highlighted with Senior Day as the team will recognize its two seniors in a pre-game ceremony.
Richmond's long-time city rivalry, dating back to 1968, resumes when Virginia Commonwealth University (10-7) visits Crenshaw Field at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The Spiders holds a 23-19-3 advantage in the all-time series against the Rams, including a 2-1 Richmond double-overtime victory in 2002. VCU is led by senior Jennifer Howard with 15 goals.
Saturday's contest against Duke marks the final home contest for seniors Lydia Decembrino and Brittney Parrish. Decembrino and Parrish were instrumental parts of the Richmond team that won its first A-10 championship and made its first NCAA appearance in 2002.
A back from Hummelstown, Pa...#16 Decembrino has started 15 of 18 games this season and 67 of 77 in her career...She is currently tied for eighth in national statistics with six defensive saves and has recorded one goal and one assist this season...As a junior, Lydia was named 2002 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year and Atlantic 10 Championship MVP...She was also honored to the 2002 VaSID All-State team and STX/NFHCA South Region Second team...In her career as a Spider, Decembrino has tallied seven goals, seven assists and 12 defensive saves.
A forward from Louisville, KY...#20 Parrish has seen action in 10 contests this season and started three, after returning from an injury and in her career she has started 36 of 66...She has recorded one goal this season and is currently ranked ninth in Richmond history with 17 career goals...As a junior, she was named to the 2002 Atlantic 10 All-Conference team and honored as A-10 Player of the Week (Oct. 21)...Brittney led the team with 10 goals in 2002 and in her career as a Spider, she has registered 17 goals and 12 assists.
The Blue Devils (14-2), currently ranked second in the NFHCA poll, have won their last six games, including victories against top-ranked opponents Maryland, North Carolina and Wake Forest. Duke leads the all-time series between these two teams, 17-6-2, including a 6-0 shutout in 2002. The battle of these two nationally ranked teams begins at noon on November 1st.
