University of Massachusets Athletics

Collegian: UMass field hockey benefitting from tough non-conference schedule

Collegian: UMass field hockey benefitting from tough non-conference schedule

By Cody Lahl on September 12, 2013 8:25 AM
Daily Collegian staff reporter Jason Kates spoke with UMass field hockey head coach Carla Tagliente recently for a story highlighting the success of the program against ranked opposition during the previous two seasons and what contests against top-level foes means for the program. In that time frame, the Minutewomen have eight victories against National Field Hockey Coaches Association Top-20 team, including wins over No. 9 Michigan and No. 19 Boston College through five games of the 2013 season.


The Massachusetts field hockey team has made a habit of overcoming ranked opponents in recent years.

UMass knocked off six teams ranked in the Top 25 last season on its way to the NCAA Tournament and have already beaten two ranked opponents just five games into 2013.

The seventh-ranked Minutewomen (5-0) will have a shot at win No. 3 over ranked teams when they take on No. 6 Syracuse - a team they played twice last season, winning one at home and losing the other in the Tournament - on Friday at 3 p.m.

Why so many nationally-ranked opponents?

According to UMass coach Carla Tagliente, it's a perfect measuring stick for her team early in the season...


The remainder of the story is available on the Daily Collegian website here. Information on the University of Massachusetts field hockey program can be found through UMassAthletics.com.

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