Field Hockey Heading Back to NCAA Tournament, For Fifth-Straight Season
The nationally-ranked Assumption University field hockey team was selected to participate in the 2024 NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championship, earning the second seed in the field of eight.
Assumption University (18-3, 13-0 NE10) defeated Saint Anselm College (15-6, 10-3 NE10) 3-0 in the Northeast-10 Conference Championship at home on Sunday, November 10. The two NE10 teams will square off in the first round on Saturday, November 16th, at 7:00 pm at Brian Kelly ’83 Stadium.
The Greyhounds are led by Callie Beauparlant, the Northeast-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Beauparlant heads the Assumption defense, which allowed only seven goals and eight shutouts in NE10 action this season and led the team to a 13-0 record in league play.
She was joined on the first team by Mia Salah, who leads the Hounds offensively in goals (10), assists (11), points (35), and game-winning goals (5). Salah became the Assumption University program leader in career points (125) when she scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Southern New Hampshire on October 23rd.
Elle Murray and Paige Gillette found their way onto the All-NE10 Second team. Murray is third on the team with ten goals, while her five assists rank her tied for second. She recorded three game-winning goals this year, netting the game-winners against No. 6 West Chester and Bentley. Gillette has been one of the top goalies in the nation, as she posts an 18-3 record while supporting a 0.85 goals-against average and a 0.786 save percentage. She has five wins over top-10 teams in the country, while her 11 clean sheets this season sets a program record.
Julia Carbone and Jillian McSorley were named to the All-NE10 Third team. Carbone ranks second on the team with ten goals, five assists, 25 points, and five game-winning goals. McSorley has been solid on the back line for the Hounds this season, as she helps support the third-best defense in the nation with 0.85 goals against average and 11 shutouts. She has one shot in her three-year career, which came this season in overtime at Pace University, as she scored the game-winning goal, lifting Assumption over the Setters 3-2.
Nova Rijks made the All-Rookie team after a stellar freshman campaign. The Netherlands native has recorded one goal and five assists out of her midfield position. Her lone goal came on October 29th, when she scored a penalty stroke against Saint Michael’s in the opening quarter.
Ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division II by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll, the Greyhounds were ranked first in the official NCAA Division II East Region rankings thanks to a 13-0 NE10 record.