Allie Rooney ’16
Sports Editor
The field hockey team wrapped up its season on Saturday, Nov. 1. The team also celebrated senior day, where it honored its three seniors – Kristen Estes, Jenny Estes and Rebecca Meagher. The Pioneers faced NEWMAC opponent Clark University and finished its last game in style with a 5-1 victory. Kristen Estes ’15 scored one of the goals, her first goal of the season.
Smith opened the scoring with a goal by first-year Amanda Lavond on an assist from classmate Julia Hamilton ’18. It was Lavond’s fourth goal of the season. Smith struck again 24 minutes into the game when Hamilton put away her fourth goal of the season as well.
With a 2-0 lead at halftime, Clark cut Smith’s lead in half on a goal 36 minutes into the match. Less than 10 minutes later, it was Hamilton ’18 again who finished a goal on an assist from senior Jenny Estes. Smith tacked on two more goals before the game was over: one goal from Marissa Vara ’16 on an assist from Caroline Labriola ’18 to give Vara her 12th goal of the season and then another goal from senior Kristen Estes in her final game in a Pioneer uniform.
Hamilton ’18 said, “Kristen scored with less than a minute to go; it was her first goal of the season and a great way to end her field hockey career.”
Nora Demick ’16 made three saves in net for the Pioneers to earn the shutout. The Pioneers outshot Clark 21-10 with a 9-4 shots on goal advantage.
The three seniors left their mark on Smith’s field hockey program. Hamilton ’18 stated, “The seniors have been such great leaders to look up to during my first year at Smith.” She added, “They led by example and always worked hardest during practices and in games.”
The team finished its season with a record of 5-13. They finished eighth in the NEWMAC conference with a 2-6 record. Smith’s 3-2 overtime win on Oct. 11 seemed to have been its high point of the season. Smith had not beaten Babson since 2006.
The Pioneers hope to improve their record next season and will be working hard during this off-season to make the necessary changes and improvements. Hamilton said, “The three seniors were our entire defensive line, so that will be a hard gap to fill. Therefore, a huge team goal is to gain that defensive strength. Another goal is to work more as an offensive unit, having layers in the circle to create more offensive opportunities and to capitalize on those opportunities.”
