Photo by: Brenna White
Field Hockey Ready to Defend NEC Title
8/29/2024 10:32:00 AM | Field Hockey
Pios open 26th season of varsity play on Friday
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (August 29, 2024) – A year ago, we told you the Sacred Heart University field hockey team was "poised to make a jump in 2023" (link). Jump the Pioneers did, with a six-game winning streak in the back half of the season, culminating in the program's second Northeast Conference title (link).
In 2024 then, the mission is to maintain. The team has shown up ready to go.
"I've been really impressed with our attitude and how we came into preseason; they know the expectations, they know what it takes to win, they've tasted success, and they want more," said head coach Sydney Van Der Merwe, speaking about the team's approach in training camp thus far. "But at the same time, they understand last year's success doesn't mean anything this year. Nothing is guaranteed and we have to earn it all over again."
A year ago, in NEC play, the Pioneers ranked fourth in the league with a 1.57 goals-against average. With many of the key pieces returning, the defensive side of the ball is expected to be a strength again in 2024.
It's certainly no coincidence then that all three of the team's captains are key cogs in the defensive effort. It starts all the way at the back with senior goalkeeper Samantha Maresca (Mamaroneck, N.Y.), who led the NEC a year ago with 6.14 saves per game, a figure which also ranked fifth in the country. In front of her, the back line is led by fellow senior Megan Albert (Lansdale, Pa.), who started all 20 games a year ago. In the midfield, junior Jaden Ray (Shrub Oak, N.Y.) moved into a starting role last season and contributed four assists.
"They are experienced, they are level-headed, and they have high expectations both for themselves and the team," said Van Der Merwe of his triumvirate of leaders. "They want what's best for the team and they set a good tone and standard for the rest of our squad."
The question is: who will put the ball in the net at the offensive end of the field? The red and white averaged 2.0 goals per game last year, which ranked fourth in the NEC, and was third in scoring in league play (1.6 goals per game). However, most of that production has since walked out the door. The Pios have lost their three leading goal scorers from a year ago and, of the 32 goals they scored in 2023, only 10 were scored by players who are on the roster in 2024.
It all adds up to opportunity. Opportunities for returners to mature into featured roles and opportunities for the program's seven newcomers to contribute immediately. The team's six incoming first-year players have impressed their coach in preseason camp.
"It's a good recruiting class and they've adjusted to Division I life very quickly," said Van Der Merwe. "They're personable and they fit in with our returners very well. There's a lot of potential in this group."
The team's 26th season of varsity competition gets started this weekend, with a three-day trip to Philadelphia. The Pios open the campaign at Drexel on Friday at 4 p.m. and then pay a visit to Villanova on Sunday at noon. The NEC opener is set for Sept. 6 at Mercyhurst, and the team will return to Yale's Johnson Field for its home opener on Sept. 13 against Hofstra.
The non-conference schedule also features home dates against Saint Louis (Sept. 29), Georgetown (Oct. 6) and Towson (Oct. 13), as well as road games against Bryant (Sept. 8), Dartmouth (Sept. 15), Yale (Sept. 20), Holy Cross (Sept. 25) and Quinnipiac (Oct. 27).
Despite being the defending champion, SHU was picked to finish second (link) in the now nine-team NEC, with the addition of Mercyhurst. Sacred Heart's home NEC schedule consists of games against Saint Francis (Oct. 4), Fairfield (Oct. 18), Rider (Oct. 20) and Long Island (Nov. 1). In addition to the league opener at Mercyhurst, the Pios will travel to take on Merrimack (Sept. 27), Wagner (Oct. 11) and Stonehill (Oct. 25).
In 2024 then, the mission is to maintain. The team has shown up ready to go.
"I've been really impressed with our attitude and how we came into preseason; they know the expectations, they know what it takes to win, they've tasted success, and they want more," said head coach Sydney Van Der Merwe, speaking about the team's approach in training camp thus far. "But at the same time, they understand last year's success doesn't mean anything this year. Nothing is guaranteed and we have to earn it all over again."
A year ago, in NEC play, the Pioneers ranked fourth in the league with a 1.57 goals-against average. With many of the key pieces returning, the defensive side of the ball is expected to be a strength again in 2024.
It's certainly no coincidence then that all three of the team's captains are key cogs in the defensive effort. It starts all the way at the back with senior goalkeeper Samantha Maresca (Mamaroneck, N.Y.), who led the NEC a year ago with 6.14 saves per game, a figure which also ranked fifth in the country. In front of her, the back line is led by fellow senior Megan Albert (Lansdale, Pa.), who started all 20 games a year ago. In the midfield, junior Jaden Ray (Shrub Oak, N.Y.) moved into a starting role last season and contributed four assists.
"They are experienced, they are level-headed, and they have high expectations both for themselves and the team," said Van Der Merwe of his triumvirate of leaders. "They want what's best for the team and they set a good tone and standard for the rest of our squad."
The question is: who will put the ball in the net at the offensive end of the field? The red and white averaged 2.0 goals per game last year, which ranked fourth in the NEC, and was third in scoring in league play (1.6 goals per game). However, most of that production has since walked out the door. The Pios have lost their three leading goal scorers from a year ago and, of the 32 goals they scored in 2023, only 10 were scored by players who are on the roster in 2024.
It all adds up to opportunity. Opportunities for returners to mature into featured roles and opportunities for the program's seven newcomers to contribute immediately. The team's six incoming first-year players have impressed their coach in preseason camp.
"It's a good recruiting class and they've adjusted to Division I life very quickly," said Van Der Merwe. "They're personable and they fit in with our returners very well. There's a lot of potential in this group."
The team's 26th season of varsity competition gets started this weekend, with a three-day trip to Philadelphia. The Pios open the campaign at Drexel on Friday at 4 p.m. and then pay a visit to Villanova on Sunday at noon. The NEC opener is set for Sept. 6 at Mercyhurst, and the team will return to Yale's Johnson Field for its home opener on Sept. 13 against Hofstra.
The non-conference schedule also features home dates against Saint Louis (Sept. 29), Georgetown (Oct. 6) and Towson (Oct. 13), as well as road games against Bryant (Sept. 8), Dartmouth (Sept. 15), Yale (Sept. 20), Holy Cross (Sept. 25) and Quinnipiac (Oct. 27).
Despite being the defending champion, SHU was picked to finish second (link) in the now nine-team NEC, with the addition of Mercyhurst. Sacred Heart's home NEC schedule consists of games against Saint Francis (Oct. 4), Fairfield (Oct. 18), Rider (Oct. 20) and Long Island (Nov. 1). In addition to the league opener at Mercyhurst, the Pios will travel to take on Merrimack (Sept. 27), Wagner (Oct. 11) and Stonehill (Oct. 25).
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