Emory University won the 2004 University Athletic Association (UAA) championship and earned a bid to the NCAA Division III national tournament.

The Eagles overcame several injuries and a 1-4 start en route to their best national finish since 2000. The Eagles faced a tough schedule from the start playing a nationally ranked Division III or NAIA team in the each of the first five games. In addition, Emory lost its top two goalkeepers to injuries.

The Eagles earned their first win defeating the No. 17 team in the nation in one of three wins this season over nationally ranked teams. With that win, Coach Michael Sabatelle won the 200th game of his Emory career. He and Assistant Coach Laura LeDuc were named Coaching Staff of the Year by the UAA.

After a loss to start conference play, the Eagles won their remaining six conference games, including two over nationally ranked teams, to grab the UAA title for the fourth time in history. As conference champions, the Eagles earned their eighth bid ever to the NCAA tournament.

The Eagles then finished the regular season by winning 11 of the last 13 games.

The Eagles won 2-0 in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but fell to the No. 10 ranked team in the nation 1-0 in overtime in the second round (round of 32).

The Eagles scored first in 15 of 20 games, winning 13 of those games, and were 9-1 when leading at the half.

The defense posted nine shutouts. The Eagles have had at least nine shutouts every season since 1998. Their streak of five consecutive shutouts tied for fourth best in school history.

The following Eagles received post-season honors:

Adrienne DeMarais
After scoring 20 points as a freshman, Adrienne DeMarais switched from scoring goals to stopping them as a sophomore by filling in after Emory's top two goalkeepers went were injured. DeMarais became the Eagles' full-time keeper in the 10th game of the season, and started by earning shutouts in her first five complete games in the goal. She was 6-0 in conference play helping the Eagles to a conference championship and earning honorable mention for the all-conference team. In 11 games after becoming full-time goalie, she posted a 0.44 goals against average, earned seven shutouts, and had a 9-2 record. She was selected conference Athlete of the Week on October 11 for her two shutouts the previous week, including one against the No. 11 team in the nation. DeMarais' 0.55 goals against average for the whole season ranks seventh in Emory history and her seven shutouts is fourth in school history.

Carrie Eckenhoff
Senior Carrie Eckenhoff earned honorable mention for the all-conference team. Eckenhoff ranked second on the team in goals (6) and third in points (17) moving her into the top 12 at Emory for the major career scoring categories. Eckenhoff is sixth in career assists (21), 10th in career points (59), and 12th in career goals (19). She scored two goals in a game twice this year, against Piedmont (Ga.) and Oglethorpe (Ga.). Eckenhoff, who was a team captain, started every game this season and played in all 78 of the Eagles' matches during her career.

Jamie English
Freshman Jamie English led the team in points (20) and assists (8) and tied for second in goals (6). She is the sixth Emory freshman to lead her team in scoring. Her season ranks among the best all-time for Emory freshmen, placing third in assists, 10th in points, and 13th in goals. English was the only Eagle to score five points in a game, scoring two goals and one assist against Wesleyan (Ga.). She had two four-point games, scoring two goals against Wisconsin-Whitewater, and a goal and two assists against Oglethorpe (Ga.).

Lauren Hudak
After missing all of the previous season with a knee injury, Lauren Hudak started every game this season and received first-team all-conference honors. Hudak scored five goals this season. In three consecutive "must-win" conference matches, Hudak scored the game-winning goal, game-tying goal, and game-winning goal; the latter two earned her conference Athlete of the Week honors for November 1.

Jenna Kereiakes
Junior forward Jenna Kereiakes earned all-conference honors for the second straight year, as she was named to the all-conference second team. Kereiakes led the Eagles in goals (7) and was second in points (18). She was one of four Eagles to score at least four points in a game as she had a goal and two assists against Piedmont (Ga.). Kereiakes continues to move up the Emory career leaderboards, as she is sixth in career goals (28) and eighth in career points (67).

Laurel O'Neal
For the second year in a row, sophomore defender Laurel O'Neal received honorable mention in voting for the all-conference team. O'Neal was a part of a clutch Emory defense that was 5-0 in conference games decided by one goal and had nine shutouts this season. O'Neal had four assists, including two in one game against Wesleyan (Ga.), the first multiple-point game of her career. O'Neal was the only defender to start every game this season.

Nancy Wilson
For the second year in a row Nancy Wilson was named to the all-conference second team. She captained the Eagles' defense to nine shutouts. Wilson and the defense were strong when in the lead finishing with a 9-1 record when leading at the half and a 13-2 record when the Eagles scored the first goal. Wilson had eight points and three goals this season, including the only goal in Emory's 1-0 victory over Carnegie Mellon (Pa.) to clinch the conference title.

Written by A.J. Gochenaur, Emory sports information assistant