Sports
Field hockey falls to fierce NESCAC foes
By Caitlin O'Connor '14, Sports Editor
October 20, 2011
Hamilton athletes are known for holding up against the subzero temperatures of upstate New York, yet the field hockey team seems unable to take the heat that the rest of the NESCAC has brought this year.
Despite a phenomenal 2010 season (where the team travelled all the way to the Liberty League semifinals), 2011 has thus far proven to be lackluster. After a promising 3-1 start, the Continentals have fallen to seventh in the NESCAC standings and an overall record of 5-6-0.
Hamilton’s only win in the past several weeks came versus non-conference opponent SUNY Geneseo on Oct. 11. The win was a nice turnaround for the Continentals after back-to-back losses versus SUNY Oneonta and Middlebury.
Senior Mary Lancaster scored two of the team’s four goals, giving her eight goals on the season and fourth place on the all-time career list. The Conts were successful due to a strong showing by the seniors and Hamilton gaining a shot advantage over the Blue Knights of 13-12.
Hamilton’s biggest struggle so far this season came against nationally ranked and undefeated no. 3 Bowdoin over fall break. The defending Division-III national championships shut out the Continentals with 6 goals scored by five different Polar Bears. With two underclassmen goal scorers and three out of the last four national championships sitting in their trophy case, Bowdoin has a skill level and depth seen nowhere else in the NESCAC. Hamilton was unable to get off a single shot in 70 minutes of play versus Bowdoin’s stellar defense.
A bright spot for the Continentals was first-year Victoria Trentini’s season-high 31 saves, placing her third in the NESCAC in saves per game with 8.0.
Hamilton was met by more defeat in Maine with a loss to Colby College the next day, Oct. 16. Hamilton held the shot advantage and got on the scoreboard first, with a goal by Nikki Haskins ’14 less than 12 minutes into play. Yet Colby finished out the first half strongly, resulting in a 4-2 win over the Continentals.
The Continentals hope to rejuvenate their post-season hopes when they travel to Williams, who trail Hamilton by only half a game in the NESCAC standings, this Thursday, Oct. 20.