BAKER HELPS LIFT ENGLAND TO SILVER AT EUROPEAN JUNIORS
8-1-06

Laura Baker
English Field Hockey

CATANIA, ITALY – Virginia Commonwealth rising sophomore goalkeeper Laura Baker (Kent, England/Langley Park) started in goal for England and helped propel the Brits the silver medal at the recent European Junior Nations Field Hockey Championship.

Baker, who led the Colonial Athletic Association save percentage last season as a freshman, was credited with several key saves, including one in Saturday’s championship match in the 62nd minute that kept Germany at bay. The Germans would eventually take the title, 1-0.

In the scoreless semifinal against Spain on Friday, July 28, Baker was credited with a “spectacular” save on the Spaniards’ fourth penalty stroke. The save kept strokes even at 3-3 and allowed England’s Gemma Darrington put the Brits ahead on their next attempt. Spain misfired on its final chance, giving the match to England.

In 2005, Baker played in 15 matches for VCU, making five starts. She registered a .789 save percentage, turning away 56 shots, and logging a 1.59 goals against average.

Baker, who returns to VCU for her sophomore season, will be in action again with her Ram teammates Saturday Aug. 19 at 11:30 a.m. when they face the VCU men’s club team in an exhibition at Cary Street Field.