SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Saint Anselm College field hockey team, ranked No. 8 nationally by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, enters the NCAA postseason as defending Division II National Champions after securing the Northeast 10 Conference's automatic berth.
The Hawks, seeded sixth in the national tournament, took down Bentley University, 3-2, in double overtime last Sunday to qualify for their 11th all-time appearance in the NCAA Championship and will face No. 2-ranked and third-seeded Shippensburg University on Saturday at noon at the Robb Sports Complex.
In her 14th season at the helm, head coach Carolyn King-Robitaille has led the Hawks to their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. The Hawks were crowned National Champions in 2024, which marked the first national championship in program and school history.
The Hawks earned the NE10's automatic qualifier after a stellar run in the NE10 playoffs, which saw them defeat Pace University in the first round 3-1, Adelphi University 1-0 in the semifinals, and Bentley 3-2 in the championship game. Saint Anselm showed off their clutch factor, as both the semifinals and championship came down to sudden-death double overtime. They will enter the NCAA tournament riding an eight-game winning streak with an overall record of 16-5.
Senior Maggie Burchill has led the Hawks throughout the postseason, netting both the game-tying and game-winning goals against Bentley to secure the NE10 Championship. Burchill's efforts throughout the NE10 postseason saw her named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. Joining Burchill on the All-Championship Team were junior Laurentien van den Akker and senior Millie Forster. Another postseason hero emerged with freshmen Breanna Shorey, who helped lift Saint Anselm past Adelphi in the semifinals with the game-winning goal in double overtime. Wehrum was named the NFHCA Defensive Player of the Week following the postseason run, which included one shutout and a 0.85 goals against average.
After the conclusion of the regular season, the Hawks were well-represented on the NE10 All-Conference teams. Leading the way was Forster, who was named Defensive Player of the Year, while also earning an All-Conference First Team nod. Sophomore Megan Carey and senior Marissa Politano earned Second Team honors, juniors Mackenzie Wehrum and van den Akker were named to the Third Team, and freshmen Shorey and Bella DiFiore earned All-Rookie accolades.
Shippensburg enters the game at 17-3 overall and earned the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's automatic qualifier with a 2-1 win over Kutztown University last Sunday. Seven Raiders earned PSAC All-Conference honors, including first teamers Lilly Cantabene, Agus Garibaldi, and Emma Albee. McKenna Boyle was named the NFHCA's Offensive Player of the Week following the PSAC Championship victory, as she contributed three goals and one assist over the playoff run.
Saint Anselm will look to avenge their 4-0 loss to the Raiders suffered back on Sep. 14 in Saturday's rematch. The winner will advance to the NCAA Semifinals, hosted by Bloomsburg University, to take on the winner of Kutztown and Assumption University on Friday, Nov. 21.
For the latest on
Saint Anselm College Athletics, follow the Hawks on social media on
X,
Instagram, and
Facebook. Be sure to catch all of the
Saint Anselm Athletics action by subscribing to FloSports.
