In what’s been a rocky journey this season, the Wheaton field hockey team finished the year against Wellesley College in a day honoring players of the senior class.
Unfortunately, the Lyons did not come away with a victory in their final effort, losing 3-2. Though they were efficient offensively, with both sophomore forward Ellie Williams ’22 and junior midfielder Hannah Arkin ’21 scoring on their sole shots-on-goal.
Six players took the field for Wheaton for their last time: Elizabeth Helmreich ’20, Lauren Bartlett ’20, Courtney Foley ’20, Bailey Karnes ’20, Karin Dion ’20 and Morgan Karnes ’20.
The crew of seniors has made a notable impact on the team, regardless of whether or not that success has carried over to the win-loss record.
Many of the team’s highlights came against non-conference opponents. The team was able to score five goals on three occasions, including a 5-0 shutout against Bridgewater State University on October 29. Helmerich ’20 lead the way that day with two goals on six shots.
Dion and Helmreich are both in the top-three in points scored for the Lyons this season, a notable feat for a team that allows considerably more goals than they score: 3.5 to 1.7, respectively.
The Lyons will also continue without their starting goalkeeper in Morgan Karnes ’20, who’s spent 768 minutes in net throughout the season and posted a .747 save percentage.
Head coach Brooke Marshall will still need to work to empower the number of players moving into new roles with the seniors’ departure. This semester was Marshall’s first season in the head coach role after a stint as an assistant coach in NEWMAC rival Smith College’s field hockey program.
Everyone involved will look to improve in the season next year, as they finish with a 3-13 record and winless in seven conference games.