In the 2009 season, Wesleyan field hockey finished with an impressive 8-7 record, finishing above .500 for the first time in four years. The squad started off last season with two tough losses to NESCAC foes Williams and Colby. Undaunted by this setback, the Cardinals bounced back and went on a 5-0 winning streak mid-season. In their crucial last NESCAC game, the Cards defeated Connecticut College, which secured their winning season and the seventh seed in the NESCAC tournament. Unfortunately, Wesleyan lost to Tufts 2-0 in the first round of the NESCAC tournament, and the Jumbos went on to the NCAA Division III tournament, losing in the semi-finals to eventual national champions Salisbury.
With many experienced players returning to the team this year, Wesleyan hopes to advance further in the 2010-2011 season. 18 letter winners and 9 starters return to the squad including tri-captains Jamie Thabault ’11, Allie Lynch ’11 and Hilary Nabhan ’11. Lynch and Thabault have been consistent starters since freshman year, while Nabhan has started over half the games she has played, but suffered setbacks in previous seasons due to injury.
Other returning starters include top goal scorers Morgan McCauley ’12 and Liz Chabot ’12. McCauley led the team with 9 goals and 4 assists, followed by Chabot with 6 goals and an assist. McCauley was picked for second-team NFHCA New England West accolades along with being named second-team all-NESCAC. Tori Redding ’13, the team’s goalie who played every minute in the 2009 season, joins McCauley in both aforementioned honors. Taryn Murray ’13 and Ashley McLaren ’13 are two more returning starters who will add to the team’s field experience. Other veteran players include Lila Creighton ’11, Averill Roberto ’13, Maureen Malloy ’13, Suzanne Gallo ’13, Brooke Baker ’13, Rebecca Hadad ’12, Chantal Ferguson ’13, and backup keeper Sarah Beattie ’12.
The class of 2014 brings seven eager players to the squad, two on attack, three in the midfield, one in the backfield, and a goaltender. The Cardinals will begin their journey to the NESCAC tournament this weekend opening at home against Little Three rival the Williams College Ephs.
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