SPRINGFIELD, Mass., November 7, 2005 – The Springfield College field hockey team has qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament through an automatic bid, as the Pride captured the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament this past weekend (Nov. 6).
SC’s field hockey team, which is ranked ninth nationally in the final Division III National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll, garners a 20-2 overall record heading into the NCAA Tournament. The Pride will travel to Bowdoin College this weekend for a second round match-up against Middlebury College. SC’s second round game is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, November 12, at 2:00 p.m. at Bowdoin.
SC is peaking at the right time heading into NCAA play, as the Pride has won its last 10 games, and 18 of its past 19 contests. With SC’s 2-1 overtime win over Babson College in the NEWMAC Final, the Pride improved to 8-0 in overtime games this season, as SC has now won two-straight NEWMAC Championships.
After nine years as head coach of the Pride, Melissa Sharpe has continued the tradition of winning on the field hockey turf, posting an impressive 130-68 record, good for a winning percentage of .656 at the helm of her alma mater. Read more.