Skidmore to face College of New Jersey in NCAA second round

The NCAA Division III Field Hockey Saratoga Regional is now set after Wednesday's first round. Skidmore College (18-1) will face The College of New Jersey (17-4) in one regional semifinal at 10 a.m. Saturday and Eastern College (19-2) will take on Stevens Institute (11-10) at 1 p.m. in the other semifinal.

The winners will play at 1 p.m. Sunday in a national final with the victor advancing to the NCAA III final four to be held Nov. 20-21 on the campus of Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va.

The Thoroughbreds are making their fourth straight and 10th overall NCAA tournament appearance, taking a 17-game win streak and 12-0 home record into Saturday's game. TCNJ beat the University of New England 4-0 in the first round. Eastern received a first-round bye, while Stevens advanced with a 1-0 overtime win against SUNY Geneseo.

Tickets are $5 general admission and $3 students with ID and will be available at the gate.

SKIDMORE THOROUGHBREDS
Location: Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Overall Record: 18-1
Conference: Liberty League
League Record (finish): 7-0 (1st)
How they reached the NCAA Championships: Defeated Hamilton 4-1 in Liberty League Championship
Head Coach: Beth Hallenbeck, 10th season at Skidmore, 150-46 (220-113-1 Overall)
NCAA Tournament Appearances (last): 10th (2009)
NCAA Tournament Record: 8-9
vs. TCNJ: 0-2 (2-1 OT loss in 2003)
vs. Eastern: 0-1 (3-2 loss in 2008 NCAA First Round)
vs. Stevens: First Game
Goals Scored: 92
Goals Allowed: 15
Point Leaders: Christine Kemp (71), Kelly Blackhurst (43), Annie Rosencrans (43)
Goal Leaders: Kemp (25), Blackhurst (19), Rosencrans (17)
Assist Leaders: Kemp (21), Rosencrans (9), Brittany O'Brien (8)
Starting Goalie: Liz Catinella (0.76 GAA, .831 save %, 18-1 record, 3 sho)

TCNJ LIONS
Location: Ewing, N.J.
Overall Record: 17-4
Conference: New Jersey Athletic Conference
League Record (finish): 6-0 (1st)
How they reached the NCAA Championships: Defeated Rowan 2-1 to win NJAC
Head Coach: Sharon Pfluger, 26th season at TCNJ, 450-67-5
NCAA Tournament Appearances (last): 29th (2008)
NCAA Tournament Record: 67-19
Goals Scored: 60
Goals Allowed: 22
Point Leaders: Kathleen Notos (38), Leigh Mitchell (34), Jessica Falcone (21)
Goal Leaders: Notos (16), Mitchell (11), Falcone (9)
Assist Leaders: Mitchell (12), Mary Waller (8), Notos (6)
Starting Goalie: Shannon Syciarz (1.05 GAA, .741 save %, 17-4 record, 8 sho)

EASTERN UNIVERSITY EAGLES
Location: St. Davids, Penn.
Overall Record: 19-2
Conference: Freedom Conference
League Record (finish): 7-0 (1st)
How they reached the NCAA Championships: Defeated King's 3-0 to win Freedom Conference
Head Coach: Camrin Azzarano, 7th Season at Eastern, 106-45
NCAA Tournament Appearances (last): 6th (2009)
NCAA Tournament Record: 2-5
Goals Scored: 70
Goals Allowed: 16
Point Leaders: Yvonne Herbster (35), Brittany Moyer (33), Jess Jaindl (33)
Goal Leaders: Jaindl (16), Kim Campbell (12), Herbster & Moyer (11)
Assist Leaders: Herbster (13), Moyer (11), Campbell and Christin Haas (7)
Starting Goalie: Laura Ressler (0.72 GAA, .866 save %, 19-2 record, 10 sho)

STEVENS DUCKS
Location: Hoboken, N.J.
Overall Record: 11-10
Conference: Empire 8
League Record (finish): 5-1 (T-1st)
How they reached the NCAA Championships: Defeated Wash. & Jefferson 2-0 to win Empire 8
Head Coach: Jessica Reed Roach, 7th season at Stevens, 81-55
NCAA Tournament Appearances (last): 3rd (2009)
NCAA Tournament Record: 2-2
Goals Scored: 24
Goals Allowed: 27
Point Leaders: Caitlin Chamberlain (15), Mallory Swanson (14), Mary Nikish (11)
Goal Leaders: Chamberlain (6), Swanson (6), Nikish (4)
Assist Leaders: Chamberlain (3), Nikish (3), Four tied at (2)
Starting Goalie: Ellyn Griggs (1.23 GAA, .806 save %, 11-10 record, 6 sho)