By Joseph Caruso
Staff Writer
The College’s field hockey team began their New Jersey Athletic Conference play this week, taking both games against Kean and William Paterson. The win against William Patterson on Saturday, Oct. 12 gave head coach Sharon Pfluger the record for most wins as a head coach in Division III history.
Pfluger has been at the helm of both the field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams at the College for over three decades, winning a multitude of trophies. Her players love playing for her, and she is proven to bring success to the College.
“Our alumni and co-coaches are incredibly special to me, Our bonds are something I will always cherish,” Pfluger said in an interview after her 650th win in 2023. She passed Ezra Steele, former University of Lynchburg coach, for first on the all time wins list.
After dropping four consecutive games in September, a rarity for the Colleges’ field hockey program, Pfluger aimed to get the Lions back on the right track in time for conference play. They responded with three wins in a row including an impressive victory over #16 Ursinus, prior to traveling to Union to take on the Cougars of Kean University.
Game 1
Looking to improve upon their 3-2 conference record from 2023, The Lions looked to make a statement in the NJAC. Just one minute into the game, senior Rayhanah Ahmed meandered through the defense to give the Lions the very early lead. Along with scoring her eighth goal of the season, she tallied an assist finished by junior Mackenzie Hart. Another score from sophomore Isabel Maher put the College ahead 3-0 going into halftime.
Although the Lions failed to score in the second half, their performance was about as dominant as it could be, specifically on the defensive end. Kean had just one shot on goal, compared to 21 for the College.
A huge bounce back, as the Lions earned their fourth consecutive shutout victory to begin their conference schedule with a win.
Game 2
On Tuesday, the Pioneers of William Paterson University came to Ewing to try and snap a losing streak of their own. However, it was much of the same for the Lions who jumped out to a 4-0 first-half lead.
With two more goals on the day, Ahmed became the team leader and the first to reach double-digit scores with 10. The 2023 NJAC Offensive Player of the Year also recorded an assist on a goal scored by freshman Avery Vacca, giving her 24 points on the year and 98 for her career. Freshman Ali Simmons scored back-to-back goals in the 3rd, marking the first of her career.
Similarly to their previous bouts, the College remained stout on the defensive end — just two shots for William Paterson compared to 32 from the Lions. It was another shutout for junior Brigitte Racey, despite not having to make a save for the third straight game, a testament to the Lions' defense. It marks the fifth consecutive shutout victory, as the College smashed the Pioneers, 7-0.
Over this win streak, the College has allowed just 10 shots on goal. Over that same span, they have taken 61 and are beating their opponents by a combined score of 19-0. Utter domination from Coach Pfluger's squad, as she looks to secure her 39th straight season having more wins than losses. Every win from here on out will add to the record and Pfluger’s legacy.
The Lions will look to continue their hot stretch as they travel to Glassboro to take on Rowan University on Wednesday.
