Field Hockey Earns NCAA Bid - Watch Live!
November 8, 2010
The Middlebury College field hockey team will makes its eighth consecutive and 11th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament when they host Cabrini in a first-round game on Wednesday, November 10th at 2:00 p.m. The winner of the game will advance to an NCAA Regional at Ursinus, where they will meet Tufts on Saturday. Ursinus will take on the winner of the Juniata/Wooster game in the other regional match-up.
Middlebury enters the tournament with an overall record of 17-10 in NCAA Tournament play. The Panthers won the NCAA title in '98, finishing with a 17-1 mark, while advancing to the finals in '03, '04 and '07. Middlebury previously hosted and won NCAA Regionals in '98, '03 and '04, winning a regional at TCNJ in '07.
Middlebury earned its way into the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid after an impressive 11-4 season. The Panthers went 7-2 in a strong NESCAC conference, finding themselves upset by Trinity in a quarterfinal game. Head coach Katharine DeLorenzo is now in her eighth year as the team's leader, owning a record of 139-40 (.777) at Middlebury entering the game.
The Panthers enter the tournament averaging 2.37 goals/game, while holding their opponents to 1.45 goals/contest. Middlebury has scored four or more goals in a game five times this season, while earning five one-goal wins. The team boasted a nine-game winning streak during the season, before falling in the NESCAC Quarterfinals.
Sophomore Lauren Greer leads the team in scoring (17-8-42) after another stellar season. Her 1.13 goals/game place her second in the NESCAC, while her .53 assists and 2.8 points are third. First-year player Elinore O'Brien (6-0-12), sophomore Charlotte Gardiner (3-6-12) junior Hannah Clarke (4-1-9) and senior Sally Ryan (3-2-8) round out the team's leading scorers.
Junior Becca Shaw has been the team's starter in goal for the last four games, boasting a 7-1 record with a 0.98 GAA and three shutouts. Madeline Brooks has also seen significant time, owning a 4-3 mark with a 2.00 GAA and a shutout.
2010 NCAA Field Hockey Tournament
Wednesday, November 10th - Middlebury College
Cabrini (12-7) @ Middlebury (11-4) - 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 13th - Ursinus College
Juniata/Wooster winner vs. Ursinus (18-1) - 11:00
Middlebury/Cabrini winner vs. Tufts (15-2) - 2:00
Sunday, November 14th - Ursinus College
Regional Final - 1:00
