UMass Dartmouth News

UMass Dartmouth Field Hockey Team

ATHLETICS

UMD Field Hockey - NCAA Tournament

For the third time in the last four seasons, the UMass Dartmouth field hockey team captured the Little East Conference Championship Tournament and earned an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Championships.

Every season when the UMass Dartmouth field hockey team meets for the first time they set goals for themselves as a team. And at the top of the list every season is a Little East Conference championship and a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. 

The Corsairs once again met their top goal on the season, capturing another LEC regular season and post-season tournament championship. Most importantly, the Corsair victory returns them to the NCAA Division III Tournament where they join the top field hockey programs in the country.

By all measures, 2012 was another successful season for the UMass Dartmouth field hockey program.

Led by six-time LEC Coach of the Year Nicole Castonguay, the Corsairs nearly swept the LEC post season awards. In addition to Coach Castonguay, the Corsairs had three players named LEC First Team All-Stars including senior forward Erica Allen, senior midfielder Jenna Miedzionowski and senior back Taryn Cardiel, a two-time All-LEC selection, was also honored as the LEC Defensive Player of the Year. First-year player Cory Connolly was the LEC Rookie of the Year in addition to being a Second Team LEC All-Star along with junior midfielder Devon Herlihy and juniior goalkeeper Lauren O’Brien. Junior back Victoria Dolce was a third team LEC All-Star.

Despite a 6-0 first round loss to Skidmore in the NCAA Tournament, the Corsairs finished the 2012 season with a 17-6 overall record. UMass Dartmouth finished the season with a perfect 11-0 record to take the LEC regular season championship and top seed in the LEC Tournament. Victories over Western Connecticut (3-1) and Plymouth State (3-2) sent the Corsairs to the tournament championship game where UMass Dartmouth captured the title with a 1-0 win over third-seeded Keene State.

At season’s end Allen and Cardiel were recognized by the National Field Hockey Coaches Assocation by being named as Second Team All-New England West Region all-star team. Cardiel earned a prestigious invitation to compete in the NFHCA Senior All-Star game on November 17 at William Smith College, site of the NCAA Tournament.

“Each year, Coach Castonguay elevates her program to new levels,” said Athletic Director Ian Day. “ She runs the perfect program: successful, respected  and one in which the student-athletes really enjoy the experience.”