Notre Dame Women's Field Hockey
The Notre Dame Women's Field Hockey team is one of the most successful women's field hockey programs in the United States. The team is lead by head coach, Karen Shelton, who is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the nation. Shelton has been with the program since 1981 and has led the team to multiple national championships.
History of Notre Dame Women's Field Hockey
The Notre Dame Women's Field Hockey program has a rich history dating back to 1978 when they played their first season. The team had early success, making it to the NCAA tournament in their third season. However, it wasn't until the arrival of Karen Shelton as head coach in 1981 that the program really took off.
Under Shelton's leadership, the team has won multiple national championships, including titles in 1989, 1994, 1996, 1997, and 2009. The team has also won 19 ACC championships and has made 26 NCAA tournament appearances.
Notable Players
The Notre Dame Women's Field Hockey program has produced many talented players over the years. Some notable players include:
- Maria Guerrero - A three-time All-American who led the team to two national championships in 1994 and 1996.
- Tracy Coyne - A four-time All-American who led the team to their first national championship in 1989.
- Lauren Miller - A three-time All-American who was named ACC Player of the Year in 2010.
- Margo McAuley - A two-time All-American who was named ACC Player of the Year in 1998.
Current Season
The Notre Dame Women's Field Hockey team is currently ranked #3 in the nation and is having a successful season so far. They have a record of 8-2 and have already picked up some impressive wins against top-ranked teams.
The team is lead by senior midfielder, Ellie Ospeck, who has been named ACC Offensive Player of the Week twice this season. Other key players include senior forward, Madison Orobono, and junior goalie, Kelsey Brannigan.
Future Prospects
The future looks bright for the Notre Dame Women's Field Hockey program. They have a talented group of underclassmen who are gaining valuable experience this season and will be poised to take on bigger roles in the future.
The team also has a strong recruiting class coming in next season, led by top recruit, Lily Edwards. Edwards is a forward from Pennsylvania who is ranked as one of the top high school players in the nation.
With a strong foundation and a bright future, the Notre Dame Women's Field Hockey program will continue to be a dominant force in women's field hockey for years to come.
