Nov. 21, 2003

Box Score

Greensboro, NC - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks knocked out the home standing Aggies of North Carolina A & T tonight in MEAC semi-final action. The Hawks swept the Lady Aggies 3-0 in Greensboro, NC, their home town. Even though the tournament is supposed to be a neutral site event it is held this year in the home of the Aggies and the Hawks had to overcome a very partial crowd.

"We met the challenge tonight, we played well and kept our composure against a tough team and a hostile crowd," said Head Coach Toby Rens. "I feel like we really turned the corner as a team. I have been waiting for this moment all season and it was a long time coming, but there is no better time than now at the MEAC tournament," he added.

UMES played several close games with the Lady Aggies but managed to sweep NCAT 3-0 to move on to a date with the Rattlerettes of Florida A & M University. The match, played tomorrow at noon, will pit this season's award winners and the #1 and #2 MEAC teams for the privilege of moving on to the NCAA Tournament. The match will pit the two-time MEAC Player of the Year selection, Jana Milin, and the Rookie of the Year Winner, Sanda Dzile, both of UMES against Coach of the Year Tony Trifonov of FAMU. It will be a challenge for the Hawks. "We played several matches this year against MEAC competition, even though they may not have counted as MEAC games. The only loss was to FAMU, so hope we can avenge that tommorrow. FAMU's win over the Hawks was not their only big win, as they managed to defeat many big programs and keep themselves recieving votes for the National Top 25 all season long.

"We thank the Hawk faithful for their support all season long and hope they will have the opportunity to continue their support for more than just one more match. A trip to the NCAA would be special," said Rens. That trip would be the first ever in UMES history. It would be a fitting ending as the Hawks already have set school records for wins in a season, while several players, including Dzile and Milin, have set individual UMES records.

This appearance in the MEAC finals will be the first for UMES since 1986 when they lost to Delaware State.

Statisics for the entire MEAC Tournament will be published when the MEAC makes them available.