In 2021 the Williams Field Hockey team (11-5/6-4 NESCAC) was ranked in the national top twenty all season. Each of the five 2021 losses were by one goal, including an overtime 2-1 loss in the final regular season game to eventual NCAA champion Middlebury.
In the national preseason top twenty poll for 2022 the Ephs are ranked 14th. In all, 7 NESCAC teams are ranked in the top 20 making the NESCAC the toughest conference in the country in NCAA DIII.
Twenty letterwinners from last year return providing Eph head coach Alix Barrale with proven experience all over the field. Thirteen of the twenty returning players competed in at least 10 games last fall, including ten who started ten or more games in 2021.
"We're excited to have a veteran group take the field," stated Barrale. "We will let the game be the teacher and strive to improve our defensive skills and offensive prowess. I expect to see contributions from all of the players. We are fortunate to have a deep bench."
"The senior class is loaded with selfless leaders who consistently put "TEAM FIRST," added Barrale. "They have created an inclusive atmosphere on and off the field. Preseason has been extremely beneficial in working out the Xs and Os and giving us valuable time to come together as a team."
The Ephs scored 55 goals (3.44/game) and allowed 18 (1.13/game) in 2021. Last season's top three scorers are all back and that trio delivered a total of 35 goals. Senior forward Shea van den Broek tallied 14 goals and registered 4 assists to lead the Ephs in scoring with 28 points. Senior midfielder Emily Batchelor scored 11 goals and added 4 assists for 25 points, while senior midfielder Catherine Torres tallied 10 goals and assisted on 4 goals for 24 points. Each member of this trio netted three game-winning goals in 2021.
Emily Batchelor earned First Team All-NESCAC and Third Team National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-American honors in 2021.
In 2021 Barrale employed the goalie tandem Carson Stephenson and Gates Tenerowicz. Both goalies return. In 2021 Stephenson started 15 games and played 495 minutes, while Tenerowicz played 475.5 minutes in 15 contests. Stephenson posted a 9-4 record, made 23 saves, and had a 0.742 save percentage. Tenerowicz posted a record of 2-1, notched one shutout, made 22 saves and recorded a 0.688 save percentage.
"Carson and Gates are incredibly talented keepers," said Barrale. "Carson's energy helps lift the team when the game starts. Gates' calm demeanor and quiet confidence gives us an edge in the second half of games when the tempo of the game can be unpredictable. This duo is the real deal."
The Ephs will open their 2022 campaign on Sept. 6 with an evening road contest in Worcester, Mass. at 6:00 PM when they take on Clark University.
Original source can be found here.
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