After a 15-4 record last year, field hockey looks to be one of the best fall teams at Saint A’s once again. With three wins under their belt in its first four contests, one of which being against the number 4 team in all of Division 2, Kutztown, the women have picked up right where they left off last season,. The team once again is ranked inside the top 10 at number 8 in the country.

“My expectations for this season are very high,” says Head Coach Carolyn King Robitaille, “We have a great core group of returners and some quality newcomers too. We are coming off the best season in program history and we want to build on that to reach our ultimate goal of an NE-10 Championship.”

The Hawks have played three games; two against nationally ranked teams and one against a longtime rival. On Sept. 3, Saint A’s played Kutztown University, ranked fourth in the nation in Division 2. The game showcased both teams’ strong defense and each team left the field at half scoreless. During the second half, Kutztown was able to net a pair; these were the only goals of the match resulting in a the final score of 2-0.This loss did not stop the Hawks from playing a strong game that lead to a victory against West Chester University the next day.

At the end of the first half, the Hawks were tied 2-2 and by the end of the game the Hawks had, in the words of Coach Robitaille, won an “incredible 3-2 victory.” On Thursday, Sept. 8 Saint A’s faced off against conference rival, Assumption College. This game proved to be a nail biter to the very end. With neither team able to score within regular playing time, the game went into double overtime with freshman Michelle Lemelin scoring here first career goal giving the Hawks a 1-0 shutout.

Winning is not the only thing that this team does. In true Anselmian spirit, they also give back to the community and work hard to build a community within the team itself. Coach Robitaille says that the preseason was filled with both fun and service.  The squad made a team trip up to the Concord area to kayak and stand up paddle board the Contoocook River for the day as a way to have some fun and continue to get to know each other better as people. The women also volunteered at the YMCA and did various jobs, like setting up the new preschool education area. Similarly, the team ran a field hockey unit at the area’s Boys and Girls club last spring.

“It’s important for the players and coaches to give back to the community and spend time together having fun and working together on different projects off the field,” says Robitaille.

The Hawks picked up their third win in a row Sunday, Sept. 11 when the team defeated the Franklin Pierce Ravens 3-2. Sophomore Maddie Bressler scored the game-winner for Saint A’s after both teams traded 2 goals apiece in the first half.  The women look to win their fourth consecutive when the team plays Pace University on Saturday, Sept. 17 in a Northeast-10 rivalry game.