DEJA VU: For the second straight season, the Pride dropped its’ first two CAA games to Old Dominion University and William & Mary two weekends ago. Last season, the Pride lost the two games by a combined score of 4-1. This season, the combined score of the two losses was 11-4.
INJURY FREE: The Pride, according to DeAngelis, are the healthiest it have been since before the start of preseason. For the first time this year, the team is relatively injury-free, and looks to continue that trend. The only current name on the injury report is redshirt-freshman Shannon Alexander, who currently has tonsilitis, according to DeAngelis. Her status for this week’s games is currently unknown.
DROPPED: For the first time in over a month, the Pride no longer finds itself ranked in the latest 2004 STX/NFHCA Top 20 Division I National Coaches Poll. Last week, the Pride was ranked No. 20. The team is currently receiving 11 votes, good enough for the 21st spot in the poll. With the entrance of William & Mary into the Top 20, the CAA has three teams currently ranked. Old Dominion continues to lead the way, holding on to the No. 8 spot. William & Mary finds itself with its’ highest ranking of the season, No. 13. The University of Deleware rounds out the CAA’s top 20, ranked No. 15. The Pride are currently the only conference team receiving votes, receiving two in the latest poll.
TOUGH TIMES: Pride netminder Jessica Cowperthwait is currently ranked last in the CAA in save percentage, with a .720 save percentage. However, Cowperthwait, who is the returning first-team All- CAA goaltender, is regarded as one of the top keepers in the league, and finds herself in the biggest slump of her Pride career. Times do look to be changing for the talented keeper, as she only allowed three goals in the two latest contests, in which the Pride went 1-1.
RANK THEM: With the two losses the Pride suffered last weekend, its loss total is now six. It can not be overlooked, however, that five of the six teams the Pride have been defeated by (California, Michigan State, Old Dominion, Syracuse and William & Mary) are all currently ranked in the Top 20 nationally.