NCAAs over for field hockey, women's soccer

Field hockey and women's soccer both saw their seasons come to an end last weekend, losing to Tufts and SUNY Oneonta respectively.

Going into their Nov. 15 match-up against the fourth ranked Jumbos, the field hockey team was ranked ninth in the nation and had been riding a 10 game winning-streak to a 17-3 record. The day before the team had knocked off Amherst 4-3 in a NCAA second round game after receiving a first round bye.

Tufts scored first, just a minute into the game, when Margi Scholtes hit a penalty stroke past Skidmore goalie Liz Catinella '11. The Thoroughbreds tied the game when Carolyne McManama '11 hit a pass from junior Katie Potter out of the reach of Tufts goalie Marianna Zak.

From there the game was all Jumbos. Tufts' Jess Perkins scored two goals off of penalty corners, making it 3-1 at the half. Michelle Kelly hit the fourth and final goal at the 46 minute mark. The Jumbos outshot Skidmore 17-11 and were favored 12-10 in penalty corners.

Despite their season ending in disappointing fashion, on Nov. 16 five field hockey players were named to the Longstretch/NFHCA Division III All-Region teams.

Junior Christine Kemp was named to the first team all-region and was a unanimous All-Liberty League First Team selection. She also received Liberty League Player of the Year honors for the second straight year. The NFHCA named Kemp as its Division III North Atlantic Region Player of the Year.

Seniors Elise Britt and Casey Tang both received first team all-region honors and juniors Lauren McCarthy and Katie Potter were selected as second team all-region.

Junior Brittany O'Brien also received Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week after scoring the game winning goal against Amherst in the second round.

Women's soccer players, meanwhile, found themselves facing an early deficit against SUNY Oneonta in their first round game on Nov. 15.

Oneonta's Dana DeSimone connected on the rebound from a failed corner kick in the eighth minute, beating Skidmore keeper Meghan Sleezer '12. DeSimone's corner proved to be the lone goal in the game.

The Red Dragons controlled play for most of the first half, but Skidmore's defense was able to deny the team any further goals, getting the benefit of an offside call and a shot off the goal post.

The Thoroughbreds were able to adjust during halftime and pressured the Red Dragons throughout the second half, but were unable to convert. At fulltime, Oneonta's lead stood and Skidmore found its NCAA dreams dashed.