Under the direction of 21st-year head coach Andy Whitcomb, the Mount Holyoke field hockey returned to the NEWMAC playoffs for the 20th straight season, compiling an overall record of 9-10 while posting a 4-4 mark in conference play.
The Lyons opened the season with a tough-fought 3-2 win at Rensselaer senior forward Kristina Ramsden knocked in a pair of goals, including the game-winner at the 57:17 mark. MHC then shouldered a tough 4-1 road defeat at the hands of nationally ranked Amherst, despite a 20-save performance from junior goalie Morgan Turner.
Mount Holyoke then returned home briefly, shouldering a tough 1-0 double-overtime loss to Stevens. The Lyons countered in a trio of road contests, earning victories at Westfield State, Clark and Thomas to move to 4-2 on the young season.
The three-game winning streak came to a halt with a pair of narrow losses, including a 4-3 defeat at the hands of MIT in overtime. MHC bounced back with a 3-1 win at Western New England before closing out the month of September with a tough loss to conference powerhouse, Babson on the road.
A loss at Springfield opened the month of October, but Mount Holyoke rebounded with three-straight wins. The Lyons defeated Wellesley by a 3-2 margin behind the game-winner with no time remaining by Ramsden, followed by wins against Simmons and Wheaton.
Mount Holyoke followed a tough loss at nationally-ranked Williams with a 4-1 against Smith as rookie Margaret Robb tallied a pair of goals. Despite the momentum, the Lyons fell in their final two games of the season.
MHC headed into its 20th-straight NEWMAC Tournament facing a familiar foe as the sixth-seeded Lyons travelled to third-seeded Smith. It was a tight battle throughout in the Quarterfinals, but the Pioneers prevailed in the final 1:28 of overtime to secure the win. Smith went on to win the NEWMAC Championship.
Leading the way for the Lyons for during the 2018 season was Ramsden, who scored 12 goals with five assists for 29 points. Robb was second with six goals and three assists for 15 points, while senior captain Colby Newsham was third with a squad-best six assist and three goals for 12 points.
Defensively, the Lyons were led by senior captain and midfielder Mirjam Keochakian, who led the team in defensive saves with five, adding three goals and an assist as well.
In goal, Turner saw the majority of action with an 8-8 record during the 2018 campaign. She had a 2.62 goals against average with a .690 save percentage. Through 18 games, she recorded 98 saves over 1175:32 minutes of action. Sophomore Maddie Miller saw action in five games, including one start. She allowed six goals on the year for a 2.53 GAA and a .647 save percentage and a 1-2 record. Classmate Gianna Molinari played in one contest, while rookie Emilie Warren saw action in two games of relief.
Keochakian garnered NEWMAC Defensive Athlete of the Week recognition, while also being named to the NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team. Newsham was tabbed to the First Team. Both players were recognized on the NFHCA All-New England East Region teams as Newsham was on First and Keochakian on Second Team.
The Lyons also continued to show their dominance in the classroom as nine student-athletes were on the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team. Additionally, the Lyons earned NFHCA National Academic Team honors for the 21st straight season, posting 20 individually to the National Academic Squad, while one earned Scholar of Distinction honors for boasting a 3.90 or higher GPA. Additionally, Newsham was awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.
