University of Massachusets Athletics
McKenzie and Curcio Garner MAC Weekly Awards
September 01, 2026 | Field Hockey
ORONO, Maine – Following a sensational start to the season for the UMass field hockey team, Niamh McKenzie was named the Mid-America Conference Offensive Player of the Week while Chiara Curcio earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, as announced on Tuesday. McKenzie tallied three goals and an assist over the 2-0 weekend while Curcio helped anchor a defensive unit that allowed just 12 shots over the two games.
In her first game at UMass against No. 8 Liberty Saturday, McKenzie scoredthe game-tying goal at the 40:47 mark to pull even at two. She then put home the game-winner at the 57:22 mark for a 3-2 lead, which proved to be the final. UMass, who entered the game ranked 15th before jumping up to No. 11 on Tuesday, now owns a top 10 win in each of the last three seasons. McKenzie went on to add a goal and assist in Sunday's 7-0 win at Maine, recording an assist with three seconds left in the first half then scoring UMass' sixth goal at the 52:04 mark. In the end, McKenzie scored three goals on only four shots taken for an impressive percentage of 75.0.
Along with allowing just 12 shots, Curcio and the Minutewomen allowed only nine shots on goal over the two games. Only one goal came in the run of play, with the other coming via a penalty corner with the clock expired in the second quarter against Liberty – and the entire Flames' team around the circle. UMass allowed just six shots (just four shots on goal) to a Liberty team that scored five in its season opener and was ranked #8 in the preseason national poll after a 17-3 season. Then on Sunday against Maine, allowed just one first-half shot (none on goal) and only six shots (three on goal) for the game.
The No. 11 Minutewomen return to action on Friday when they host Boston University at 4 p.m. for their home opener. It's a Team Impact Awareness Game, along with the Pep Rally Ramp-Up. On Sunday, UMass hosts UMass Lowell on Youth Day and it's Bark in the Park.
In her first game at UMass against No. 8 Liberty Saturday, McKenzie scoredthe game-tying goal at the 40:47 mark to pull even at two. She then put home the game-winner at the 57:22 mark for a 3-2 lead, which proved to be the final. UMass, who entered the game ranked 15th before jumping up to No. 11 on Tuesday, now owns a top 10 win in each of the last three seasons. McKenzie went on to add a goal and assist in Sunday's 7-0 win at Maine, recording an assist with three seconds left in the first half then scoring UMass' sixth goal at the 52:04 mark. In the end, McKenzie scored three goals on only four shots taken for an impressive percentage of 75.0.
You have to see our game-winning goal today vs. No. 8 Liberty ??
— UMass Field Hockey (@UMassFH) August 30, 2026
From our defensive zone, finished by Niamh McKenzie??#Flagship ?? | #SCTop10 | @ESPNAssignDesk pic.twitter.com/zyI2xwuhYP
Along with allowing just 12 shots, Curcio and the Minutewomen allowed only nine shots on goal over the two games. Only one goal came in the run of play, with the other coming via a penalty corner with the clock expired in the second quarter against Liberty – and the entire Flames' team around the circle. UMass allowed just six shots (just four shots on goal) to a Liberty team that scored five in its season opener and was ranked #8 in the preseason national poll after a 17-3 season. Then on Sunday against Maine, allowed just one first-half shot (none on goal) and only six shots (three on goal) for the game.
The No. 11 Minutewomen return to action on Friday when they host Boston University at 4 p.m. for their home opener. It's a Team Impact Awareness Game, along with the Pep Rally Ramp-Up. On Sunday, UMass hosts UMass Lowell on Youth Day and it's Bark in the Park.
Players Mentioned
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/ Field HockeySaturday, October 25
Friday, October 24
Monday, October 13
Wednesday, October 08