Sports
Field hockey ascends to #11 in nation, highest in program history
By Erich Wohl ’18
November 3, 2016
Tags sports
Hamilton shut out Amherst to advance to the NESCAC semi-final where they will play Middlebury on Saturday, Nov. 5. The Continentals blanked the Jeffs 1-0 with Michaela Giuttari ’20 scoring the lone goal 14:30 into the game. The win extended Hamilton’s winning streak to seven and continued what has been one of the most successful seasons in program history.
The Continentals entered the game ranked 15th in the country, against Amherst ranked ninth in the country. It was Hamilton’s first home playoff game since joining the NESCAC in 2011.
The game was defensive with both goalies making critical saves throughout. Julia Booth ’19 had a legendary performance, not allowing even one of Amherst’s eight shots to go in. The feat was especially impressive considering Amherst had the highest scoring offense in the NESCAC all season, averaging 3.88 goals per game. Booth had her finest moment six minutes into the second half, coming out of the cage at the near post to make a sliding save off a shot by Laura Schwartzman ’20. In the final seconds of regulation, she stopped a shot by Shannon Tierney with a kick save to seal the win.
The game-winning goal ultimately came early on with Eva Rosencrans ’17 carrying the ball down field. She sent a quick pass to Margaret Revera ’18 who charged the left post before sending a quick pass to Giutarri for the only goal of the game. The combo has been the strength of Hamilton’s offense with Giutarri and Rosencrans first and second on the team in goals and Revera and Giutarri first and second on the team in assists this season. The trio also represents the top three on the team in shots taken.
Hamilton will travel to Medford, MA to play Middlebury. If they win, they will then face the winner of a match between Tufts and Williams. The semi-final game will be a rematch of Hamilton’s huge 4-2 victory over the Panthers earlier this season. Hamilton’s season kicked off earlier when they defeated Middlebury, ranked third in the country at the time. They will look to their top two goal scorers, Rosencrans and Giutarri, who will both be looking to score against Middlebury as they did in the September matchup. Rosencrans and Giutarri are the second most successful goal scoring pair in the NESCAC and have been major contributors to the Continentals success. Julia Booth ’19 has played every minute for the Continentals in goal this season and has posted the second highest save percentage in the NESCAC (.798). Earlier this season, Rosencrans became the highest goal scorer in Hamilton history and she will look to lead her team to victory in her final season.
After a disappointing 1-3 start, the field hockey team has been on fire, going 11-1 in their last twelve games including seven consecutive victories. The semi-final appearance is the best for Hamilton in the last five years of the program. Their #11 ranking is the highest in the history of the program. If they can win against Middlebury this weekend and succeed in the NESCAC final, they will get their first automatic birth into the national championship in program history and first NESCAC title.