Field Hockey Wins Over Simmons

Smith’s field hockey team returned victorious from Boston after a 4-3 game against Simmons College on Wednesday, Sept. 26. This win takes the Pioneers to 4-4 overall, matching their total wins from the 2011 season.

Smith thrived throughout the game, earning five penalty corners within the first 12 minutes. After a few unsuccessful attempts to score, Jenny Estes ’15 shot a goal passed by her twin sister Kristen Estes ’15 that could not be stopped by Simmons’ goalie Carolyn Baremore, and the puck met its target 18 minutes into the game. K. Estes scored on the 21st minute, taking the score to 2-0. Four minutes later, Kelly Williamson scored the first goal of the game for Simmons. Grace Maliska ’14 scored a goal off an assist from Emma Camilleri ’14 a mere 19 seconds before halftime. 

Simmons managed to tie the score during the second half, but the Pioneers were determined to stay ahead. Simmons’ substitute keeper Renna Smith managed to stop goals from Alexa DeJesus ’14, Sophie Demuynck ’13 and Casey Rau ’16, but Allie Stein ’14 managed to score her 16th goal of the season with almost nine minutes remaining. 

This was also the third straight game in which Savannah Lawson ’14 made five saves while playing the first 44:06 in net for Smith. Abbey Fleming ’14 made three saves after stepping in as goalie for the final 25:54, playing a significant role in the Pioneers’ victory.

Head Coach Jaime Ginsberg described Smith’s victory as “a good game and a good win for Smith field hockey. We were working on a new system so it was great to see us in action against a live opponent. The team showed a hunger to work as a team and finish in the circle.” 

Looking ahead, Ginsberg said, “We are preparing now for the next week ahead with Daniel Webster on Wednesday and a League game this Saturday versus [Wheaton]. The home game on Wednesday will be against a team we do not normally have on our schedule but added in mid-year last academic year.”

Ironically, the coach of Daniel Webster’s field hockey team is recent Smith graduate and field hockey player Phoebe Hopkins. 

“It should be exciting to play against her team and welcome her back to Smith,” said Ginsberg. “Saturday’s game against Wheaton is a big game for us and a need-to-win game for us. We need to clench our first league win and start to pave a path toward post-season play.”