SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – The Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Coaches Poll has been announced and Mount Holyoke College moved up to 17th overall in this week's poll. MHC had previously been ranked 19th since September 30th. The Lyons have remained ranked in the Division III poll since September 24, 2013.
Under the guidance of 17th-year head coach Andy Whitcomb, the Lyons have a 10-2 record, going 4-1 among NEWMAC squads. Among the teams most notable wins include a 3-1 victory at Rensselaer, a 7-0 win against Castleton State, a 1-0 victory over then #18 Williams and a 2-1 overtime victory at Wesleyan.
The Lyons have continued to put forth a dominant effort across the board and lead the nation and New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) in a number of categories. Among the nation's best, Mount Holyoke is 11th in assists per game (2.67), 16th in goals against average (0.99), 17th in points per game (10.00), 18th in penalty corners per game (12.33), as well as 21st in goals per game (3.67).
Among the NEWMAC leaders, MHC is first in save percentage (.850), while ranking second in goals scored (44), fewest goals allowed (12), penalty corners (148), assists (32), goals against average and goals per game.
Individually, the Lyons are led in scoring by senior captain and midfielder Kirsten Kilburn (North Branford, Conn./North Branford), who became the Lyons all-time leader in career points (161) last weekend with a three-goal performance in a 5-2 win at Babson. She was named the NEWMAC Offensive Performer of the Week for her efforts.
A starter in all 12 games, Kilburn leads the NEWMAC with 14 assists, adding seven goals for a team-best 28 points. She has added a conference-high 70 shots (40 on goal) and has a team-high four game-winning tallies. Additionally, she ranks second in Division III in assists per game with a 1.17 average.
Sophomore forward Charlotte Wagner (West Chester, Pa./Westtown School) is currently second overall with eight goals and eight assists for 24 points, while first year midfielder Sophie Perekslis (Sheffield, Mass./Berkshire School) leads the team with 11 goals for 22 points.
Defensively, Mount Holyoke has been anchored by rookie Liz DiCesare (Westford, Mass./Bishop Guertin), who is 10-2 with a 1.11 goals against average and a .838 save percentage. She has made 62 saves on the season and has recorded a solo shutout and three combined on the year. Among the NEWMAC leaders, DiCesare is second in save percentage, third in goals against average, fourth in goals against and fifth in saves.
The Lyons are back in action this afternoon when they travel to WPI for a 4:30pm contest. Mount Holyoke travels to Western New England on Thursday (7pm) before wrapping up the week on Saturday at home against MIT. That game will also mark Senior Day for the Lyons seven seniors.
