Match Program   | Tournament Brackets 

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Nov. 7, 2011) – After advancing to the NEWMAC Championship for the fourth time in program history over the weekend, the Mount Holyoke College field hockey team has secured the third seed in the 2011 ECAC Division III New England Tournament. The Lyons will be making their fifth trip to the event. They were crowned champions in 2002 and also made appearances in 1999, 2000 and 2005.

Tournament play will begin with a pair of quarterfinal round contests on Wednesday. On one side of the bracket, Mount Holyoke will host sixth-seeded Worcester State University (10-8, 6-5 LEC) at 7:00 p.m. Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Bridgewater State University (12-6, 7-4 LEC) will entertain fifth-seeded Wheaton College (10-8, 4-4 NEWMAC) at 6:00 p.m.

This year's tournament will consist of six teams from around the region. Plymouth State University (17-3, 10-1 LEC) and the University of New England (18-3, 9-1 TCCC) earned the top two seeds and were awarded first round byes. They will await the winners of Wednesday's quarterfinal round contests.

Semifinal round action is scheduled to take place at Plymouth State's Arold Field on Saturday. With a win over Worcester State, the Lyons would face off against the University of New England at 1:30 p.m. The winner of the Bridgewater State/Wheaton match will draw Plymouth State at 11:00 a.m.

Sunday's ECAC Championship will be hosted by Plymouth State at noon.

Mount Holyoke has gone 3-1-1 in five previous meetings against Worcester State. The two teams have not seen each other since the 1980 season, when they finished in a scoreless deadlock.

Breaking Down the Lyons

Mount Holyoke (13-5, 6-2 NEWMAC) suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 setback to MIT in the NEWMAC Championship on Sunday. After gaining a 1-0 edge on first year midfielder Aurora Rougeau's first career tally midway through the second half, the Lyons surrendered a goal in the final seconds of regulation before Tournament Most Outstanding Player Anna Teruya knocked in the winner 1:51 into overtime. Mount Holyoke advanced championship with a 7-2 triumph over Babson College on Saturday. The Lyons have used a balanced attack to outscore their opponents 78-49 thus far this season. Their 78 goals and 205 points are the most in program history. Senior forward Shara Robertson has set the tone with a school-record 55 points on 20 goals and 15 assists. With her dramatic tally against Springfield last week, she became the program's all-time leader in career points (146) and goals (62). First year midfielder Kirsten Kilburn has made an immediate impact in her rookie campaign at Mount Holyoke, racking up 13 goals and nine assists. Meanwhile, senior forward Jess Fajardo has scored 15 times, and Rougeau has dished out nine assists. The Lyons have also received a boost from sophomore forward Stephanie Slysz, who has chipped in with eight goals and five assists. On the defensive end, senior goalkeeper Katie Gibson has posted a goals against average of 1.27 and a save percentage of .802. She has collected five shutouts this year and 17 in her career. Classmate Tricia Chase has provided support with a six defensive saves. Meanwhile, Kilburn has added five.

Breaking Down the Lancers

Worcester State (10-8, 6-5 LEC) rolled to three straight victories before falling 4-1 in the quarterfinal round of the Little East Conference Tournament. The Lancers have been paced by senior forwards Samantha Janda and Sarah Cozzens, who have scored 29 of their 43 goals. Janda has set the tone with 38 points on 15 goals and eight assists. Meanwhile, Cozzens has amassed 34 points on 14 goals and six assists. Worcester State has also received a boost from sophomore midfielder Lindsey McGeary, who has found the back of the cage nine times. Goalkeeper Rebecca Mullen has played 1,117 minutes between the pipes for the Lancers, posting a goals against average of 1.63 and a save percentage of .750. She has come up with four shutouts this season. Senior Lauren Daley has chipped in with eight defensive saves.