Field hockey in search of first ECAC Tournament title, hosts Saint Joseph's of Maine in Wednesday's first round

November 5, 2007

NORTON, MA- The Wheaton College field hockey team is set to make its second straight appearance in an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament and fourth overall, as the Lyons look to secure their first ECAC title after reaching last year's championship game. Earning the fourth seed in the eight-team bracket, Wheaton will host Saint Joseph's College of Maine on Wednesday.

The Lyons and fifth-seeded Monks are slated to play at 2:00 p.m. on Clark Field, with the winner advancing to Saturday's semifinal against either top seed University of Southern Maine or number eight Plymouth State University at the highest remaining seed. Other first-round matches feature second-seeded Bridgewater State College against seventh seed and 2006 champion Endicott College, and number three Nichols College versus sixth-seeded Castleton State College. The semifinal round victors will face off during Sunday's championship at the highest remaining seed.

Winners in eight of its last 11 games, Wheaton carries a 13-6 record into Wednesday, as the Lyons are just two victories shy of equaling last year's program wins mark. The Blue and White advanced to the semifinal round of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament for the second straight year, falling to second seed Wellesley College, 1-0 in overtime. As the third seed, Wheaton blanked Clark University, 3-0 in the first round. The Lyons finished in a tie for second in the regular season standings after posting a program-record six league wins.

As an independent, Saint Joseph's College is 12-6 overall and enters the first round on a four-game winning streak. Wheaton and the Monks have only met once, as the Lyons blanked Saint Joseph's, 7-0 in Norton two seasons ago. Despite a 1-3 mark in ECAC Tournament play, the Lyons have been difficult to beat on their home turf during the postseason, as they have won their last six. With seven shutouts and 55 goals to date, Wheaton is three and four short of matching program marks, respectively.

The Lyons boast a 9-1 record on Clark Field this season, having only fallen to the nation's top-ranked team, while Saint Joseph's is just 4-3 outside of Standish. Wheaton is once again led by senior co-captain Sara Dimick (Cumberland, ME/Greely), whose name is plastered throughout the school's record book, as she is first in career points and assists and second in goals. Dimick's season totals of 11 assists, 43 points and 16 goals are tied for first and good for third and fourth, respectively.

Junior Alisa Ardito (Branford, CT/Branford) is second on the team in offense with nine goals, eight assists and 26 points, while sophomore Alex Block (Saratoga, CA/Saratoga) and senior Lyndsie Ryalls (Branford, CT/Branford) have 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Defensively, the Lyons have started the same four players all 19 games, as senior co-captain Kim Anson (Washington, CT/Shepaug Valley) has anchored a unit that includes sophomores Cassie Abel (Windham, NH/Salem) and Andria Laroche (Skowhegan, ME/Skowhegan Area) and freshman Ashley English (Watertown, MA/Watertown). Classmate Cameron Abel (Windham, NH/Salem) has played nearly every minute in the cage, recording a Wheaton rookie-record 13 wins with four shutouts.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 7/28/08.
Questions about this page? Use our query form.