What a busy few weeks its been for the field hockey team!

We took on nationally-ranked Cal at home and put up a tough fight, yet couldn't pull through. They were a really talented team and we learned a lot from playing them.

Shortly thereafter, we traveled to Albany to take on Siena and had a great 7-1 win! It was a great team effort by all. A lot of the freshmen got a chance to show how hard they have been working. Megan DeMarco got her first collegiate goal! Congrats Meg! Nicole Gerdes had her first multi-goal game, scoring two goals in the match. Good work Nicole! Siena was our first true road trip this season and it was a lot of fun.

Our next game was against Temple on October 7th. We came into that game knowing it was going to be very tough. The Owls are our biggest rivals in Philly, and we knew they had a very aggressive team this year. Before the game was the field dedication for SJU legend Ellen Ryan. It was a very special moment for Ellen and all who attended. She seemed very touched by the tremendous turnout and support for the event. We were all very honored to get to be a part of that historical moment. Congrats Ellen and thank you for supporting our team all these years! We are proud to play in your name.

After the dedication it was game time. Temple came out with guns blazing. Despite our countless efforts, they ended up winning the game, 4-1. It was a physical and mental battle, as always, with the Owls. Hopefully we will see them again in the A-10 tournament; this time coming out on top.

The day after Temple, the Hawks were on the road again. It was a crazy bus ride to Washington, D.C. filled with song battles, movies and stealing Joe's camera to record some videos of our own. We had a game with Georgetown University this afternoon. Georgetown was a not a team to be taken lightly. They put up a tough fight, but we managed to squeak by with a 1-0 win. Jordan Martin had her fifth goal of the season, and Liz Messaros earned the shutout in the cage.Congrats to everyone on the win today and lets use this as momentum for the rest of the week!

The busy week continues with a game Wednesday afternoon at Ellen Ryan Field against cross-town rivals Villanova. We are looking for our first win on the new field! The day after we will be traveling the Amherst for a Friday game at UMass. This will be one of our hardest games thus far. We really need to work extra hard and win our second A-10 game. Friday's match is very crucial for our conference play. It won't be easy, but I believe we have what it takes to pull off an upset. Here we go Hawks! 

-Ellen