Field Hockey
Highlights
2007
Considering the tough schedule the Clark field hockey team faced this season, they pulled through with a staggeringly improved record of 7-10 (2-6 NEWMAC). Not only were the Cougars matched up against nationally ranked Williams College, but they also faced four out of five regionally ranked teams in their conference. Season highlights included an early win over NCAA Tournament contender New England College (5-4) and a string of scattered victories over non-conference teams that include Becker (4-1), Regis (11-0), Wheelock (7-1), and Anna Maria (5-0). Clark also posted consecutive conference wins over MIT (3-2 OT) and Smith (2-1) to conclude the regular season. After being shutout of the NEWMAC tournament last year, the Cougars returned to the postseason stage as the sixth seed. Their season came to an end with a 3-0 loss to third-seeded Wheaton College.
As a team, the Cougars set new marks in three categories this fall, including game points (28), game goals (11), and game assists (7). Clark also performed on the defensive side of the field, where first-year goalkeeper Kathryn Dawsey ’10 finished first overall in the conference in saves per game. Not to mention, the team topped the NEWMAC in total saves with 173. Named to NFHCA All-Region and NEWMAC All-Star teams, Lauren Blake (17-8-42), who placed among the top-10 in the league in every offensive category this year, capped her season ranked 10th and 11th, respectively, in points per game (2.47) and goals per game (1.00) in Division III. Teammate Carley Corkum joined Blake on the All-Conference second team. It was their second all-conference nod.
2006
The Clark University field hockey team experienced its share of success this season, earning the conference’s first-ever Sportsmanship Award. The award was voted on by the players of each conference member institution. "Upholding the ideals of the NEWMAC and its Code of Conduct is something our team members do not take lightly,” said head coach Linda Wage. “We were honored to be the first recipients of this award.”
In addition to the sportsmanship recognition, senior goalkeeper Kaitlin Kelley and first-year defender Carley Corkum were named to the All-NEWMAC first and second teams, respectively. Kelley was also named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) New England East All-Region First-Team and was selected to play in the NFHCA senior all-star game. Junior Kelly Sinko and senior Kim Whittington received NEWMAC Academic All-Conference accolades.
Faced with one of the toughest schedules in New England, the Clark field hockey squad put together a 4-12 (1-7 NEWMAC) mark. In spite of their record, the Cougars, who lost five games by just one goal and sent four contests into overtime, were a difficult team to play. After defeating Nichols College (3-1) to start the season, the Cougars battled a trio of teams (Williams, Springfield, Wellesley) ranked in the final National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Poll. In losing efforts, Clark stifled a Williams’ attack, allowing the lowest number of goals (2) to the Ephs through that point of the season, held then 13th ranked Springfield to a 2-0 game, and dropped a hard-fought 3-2 decision to Wellesley.
The Cougars found a way to win the next three of five games, posting victories over Anna Maria College (5-1), Worcester State College (2-1) and Mount Holyoke (3-2 2 OT). In its final regular season game, Clark was faced with a must-win situation, but lost in double overtime (3-2) to Smith College. It was the first time the Cougars failed to qualify for the conference tournament since the NEWMAC inception in 1998.
2005
Under the direction of head coach Linda Wage (21st season) and first-year assistant coaches Ashley Perez ’05 and Kristina Richio ’05, Clark University's field hockey team finished the season with a 3-14 record. The Cougars were seeded seventh in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament after compiling a 2-6 regular season conference record. Clark lost 1-0 in the quarterfinals to Springfield College, the eventual NEWMAC Champion.
The Cougars opened the season with a 1-0 win over non-conference foe Nichols College. Injuries, youth and the graduation of key players from last season challenged the team throughout the season. Although Clark went winless for the next 10 games, it was not for lack of effort. Falling just short on multiple occasions, the Cougars held teams like Babson College, NEWMAC runner-up and NCAA Tournament qualifier, scoreless until 10 minutes left in the game. Clark also suffered a hard fought 1-0 over-time loss to local foe Anna Maria College. The next victory for the Cougars came against conference challenger Smith College (1-0). This year’s graduating players celebrated a 3-0 win over NEWMAC rival WPI on Clark’s Senior Day. In the NEWMAC Tournament quarterfinal game, the Cougar defense held eventual champion, Springfield College, scoreless up until the last three minutes of the game.
Goalkeeper Kaitlin Kelley ’07 (Guilford, CT/Guilford) was named to the 2005 Dartfish/NFHCA Division III All-Region New England East Second Team and the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team. Kelley led the conference in number of saves (243), save % (.856) and saves per game (14.3). In her final game of the season versus Springfield College, she recorded 27 saves. Kelley is the twenty-seventh Clark field hockey player to be recognized as a regional All-American.
This season’s squad graduates two senior captains, midfielder, Meredith Courtemanche (Hatfield, MA/Smith Academy) and forward, Brittney Wickles (Hatfield, MA/Smith Academy). Courtemanche led the team in scoring with four goals and Wickles added a goal and two assists. Junior Ginny Mike (Fanconia, NH/ Profile School) and sophomore Brooke Osgood (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) helped solidify the Cougar defense under constant pressure this season. Mike finished the season with three goals, two of which were penalty strokes. Junior Alex Griffin (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY/Hastings) and sophomore Kate Willis (Lincoln, RI/Lincoln) joined the defensive front.
History
One of Clark's most successful athletic programs, the field hockey team has also earned a
reputation as one of the top squads in New England. The Cougars have earned post-season tournament
bids in 13 of the last 18 years. Clark won the MAIAW State Championship in 1987 and 1988. The
1989 season saw the Cougars earn a perfect 14-0-3 regular season mark as Clark was one of just
two Division III teams in the country to go undefeated that season. Coach Linda Wage's squad has
been selected to the ECAC New England Tournament ten times (1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998,
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004).
In 2002 Clark set new records for wins with a 19-4 overall record and shutouts with 15. The
team was ranked as high as #1 in the New England East Region and was a finalist in the ECAC
Tournament. The Cougars also were ranked #1 in the nation in scoring defense (.51) and #8 in
winning percentage (.821). The 2001 team set season records in goals (57), assists (42) and
points (157) compiling a 17-4 overall record.
Individually, 21 players have earned regional All-America First Team honors with eight more
being selected to the regional second team. Karen Patterson '92, Amy Hannon '96, Annaliese Brasile
'99, Devon Vachula '00, Lisa Boyington '01, Lynne Casey '02, Jesse Egan '03, Julie Mazeika '03 ,
Ashley Perez '06, Jessica Petitt '04 earned national All-America honors in their senior seasons.
Vachula, Casey, Egan and Petitt were first team selections. Perez became only the second Clark
field hockey player to be named to the All-America Team as a junior and as a senior. Petitt was
the first player to be named twice to the All-America Team.
Clark players have been earning national recognition since 1986. Clark Hall of Famer, Lori
Lengieza Letendre '90, ranks number three in the nation in all-time saves in a career (817). She
is ranked number seven in the nation in saves in a single season (311). Goalkeeper Jenifer West
'94 graduated with New England records for career save percentage (.909) and her career goals
against average (.68) ranks eighth nationally and her 1991 goals against averaged (.17) ranks
number two all-time. In 2002, goalkeeper Egan led the nation in goals against average (.56) and
was seventh in save percentage (.892). Letendre, West and Egan have been featured in Sports
Illustrated "Faces in the Crowd" for their outstanding performances as Clark field
hockey goalkeepers.
Clark's field hockey team plays on the new lighted sport turf field that is part of an
upgrade to the athletic fields. In addition, the project includes a $6-million field house and
a new lighted state of the art grass soccer/lacrosse field. The Dolan Field House, a support
facility for the fall and spring teams, provides indoor practice space, a training room, team
locker rooms for the home teams and visiting team locker rooms. The entire facility is located
within walking distance of the central campus.
For more information about Clark University Field Hockey, please contact head coach Linda
Wage at (508) 793-7637 or by email at lwage@clarku.edu
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FIELD HOCKEY ALL CONFERENCE
Second Team
Junior Kathryn Dawsey
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Additional Resources
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