Bentley Field Hockey Opens with Two Perennial Division II Powers
WALTHAM, Mass. – There will be no easing into the 2021 season for the Bentley University field hockey team as they'll open this weekend by hosting Bloomsburg University Friday afternoon and West Chester University Sunday afternoon.
Both games are scheduled for 12 noon and can be viewed on the NE10 NOW Digital Network.
West Chester captured the 2019 NCAA Division II national championship and is ranked number one in the preseason NFHCA Division II national rankings. Bloomsburg's resume includes 13 national championships, the most recent coming in 2009.
"We'll be challenged right away the opening week, with two of our first four opponents ranked in the D2 preseason poll," said Coach Jessica Spencer. "We look forward to the challenge."
Graduate student and tri-captain Sam Simione (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire HS) is the Falcons' most experienced player after starting every game during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Her resume includes eight career goals, the same number of assists and she's also been a contributor at the defensive end of the field.
Senior Erin McCool (Amherst, N.H./Souhegan HS), also a tri-captain, is the only other returning field player who made double-figure starts during the 2019 season, one that saw the Falcons finish at 9-10 overall after a first-round loss in the Northeast-10 championships.
Spencer also expects significant contributions from her other senior field players. They include tri-captain Christine Murray (Walpole/Walpole HS), forward Kate Slowe (Medfield/Medfield HS), defender Meghan Moran (North Andover/North Andover HS) and midfielder Katelyn McGuigan (Nesconset, N.Y./Smithtown East HS),
The entire junior class has had a great preseason and should see significant playing time. That group includes Madison Halas (Danbury, Conn./Immaculate HS), Ava Bevilacqua (Dedham/Notre Dame Acad.) and Ana Carter (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory HS).
With the 2020 season cancelled, more than half of the team – nine sophomores and the same number of freshmen – are in their first collegiate fall season. Two who have stood out during the preseason are sophomores Emily Crowell (Oakland, Maine/Messalonskee HS) and Abigail Hewes (Denmark, Maine/Fryeburg Academy).
Bentley will complete a three-game season-opening homestand Wednesday night against Assumption (a non-conference game) and will open NE10 action Sept. 11 at Mercy College.