The Hamilton College Women’s Soccer team has come out of the gates hot this fall. Last year, the Continentals chalked up a 10–6–2 record and received an NCAA tournament bid for the first time since becoming a member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). However, their quarterfinal matchup with nationally-ranked #23 Misericordia University did not go as planned, and Hamilton was eliminated. This season, the Continentals return with a significant amount of talent and a desire for some playoff wins.
Hamilton’s first test this fall came right off the bat when they squared up with #1 Williams College, the defending Division III National Champions. Despite the 2–1 loss, the team feels extremely confident looking ahead. Forward Kendall Discenza ’21 said, “Even though it was not the result we were hoping for, this game gives us a lot of confidence for future games. If we can compete with the defending national champions, we can compete with anybody.” On Sept. 8, the Continentals traveled to Lewiston, M.E. for another conference matchup against the Bobcats from Bates College. The women coasted to a 2–0 win, featuring goals from Alex Fontana ’20 and Cat Gambino ’21.
The following day however, the Continentals matched up with Sage College in Albany, N.Y. which ended in a 1–1 tie. The out-of-conference game was one that the Continentals expected to win, yet their main takeaway from the tied contest was that the team needs to take advantage of their offensive opportunities and attack their opponents when they make mistakes. Throughout the first four games, the Continentals tallied 100 shots, but only five reached the back of the net. In order to have success throughout the postseason, the team is seeking more precision on offense and looking to maintain their solid defense.
On Sept. 15, the men’s and women’s soccer teams welcomed the Trinity College Bantams to campus for a couple of exhilarating contests. The men’s team netted a goal in the 82nd minute from Noah Giovannelli ’21 to win 1–0. However, the women’s team made fans wait a little bit longer. The 0–0 tie was taken into the 90th minute when Gambino scored off a rebound from a free kick from Fontana with 19 seconds remaining. The 1–0 win puts the Continentals at 2–1–1 overall, with one of their biggest NESCAC weekends coming up.
While the Continentals have had some early success, this appears to be the beginning of the women’s soccer program turning the corner. “We have set a goal to host a NESCAC tournament game and take one of the top playoff spots. We want to secure an NCAA tournament bid and go as far as we possibly can,” Discenza said. Other players have spoken highly of the camaraderie that the team has on and off the field. In terms of leadership, the upperclassmen have done a great job welcoming the first-years to the program, ensuring that the team plays and communicates well on the field. Olivia Rodrigues ’21 said, “We always play as hard as we can for each other, and the fact that we get along so well outside of soccer definitely helps us on the field.”
The Continentals have set some impressive goals for this season and are looking to maintain the same intensity that they brought to their first few games. If the team stays healthy and continues to win their regular season NESCAC games, there is a lot of success to come for the Continentals.
Hamilton’s women’s soccer will take on Connecticut College on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 11:00 a.m. and Middlebury College on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 11:00 a.m. Men’s soccer takes on the same teams on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 23 at 1:30 p.m. respectively. All games are on Love Field.
