WATERVILLE, ME- #7 Thomas College (7-9, 4-5 NAC) will travel to #2 Castleton (14-3, 8-1 NAC) in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) field hockey quarterfinal at 12:00 PM on Saturday, October 27.
How they got here:
On the season, per game, Thomas has a 11.7 average shots on goal and a shot percentage of .2. In total, Thomas has scored 29 goals this season. Thomas goalkeepers have recorded a save percentage of .804 this season. They have allowed 35 goals against opponents on the season, averaging 2.14 per game.
To finish off the season, Thomas had a two game win streak and a 4-2 record in October. The Terriers defense has proven to be valuable and has come up with some key saves when needed.
With only losing one NAC game on the season, Castleton State College has secured the second conference playoff seed. Castleton was undefeated in the NAC until their last conference game of the season versus Husson University, where they fell 6-5.
The last time they met:
Thomas almost pulled off an upset against top ranked Castleton leading 3-1 after one half, but the Spartans scored two late goals in the second to clinch a dramatic 4-3 on October 14, 2012 in Castleton.
What they have done lately?
Thomas has had a winning month in October, going 4-2. The Terriers have stunned University of Maine at Farmington for the second time this season defeating UMF 2-1 on October 3rd at home then again on October 17th 2-1 in double overtime at Farmington.
Castleton has gone 6-1 in their last seven games, five of those being conference games. The Spartans came up short in their final conference game against Husson University. After leading 3-1, Husson struck back with five straight goals. Castleton eventually lost 6-5 on the road at Husson University.
Historically speaking:
In the last five years, Thomas is 0-5 against Castleton State College. The Terriers almost pulled off a win against the Spartans the past two years. This year, Terriers were leading 3-1 at the half but Castleton came back for a 4-3 win. In 2011, Thomas fell to Castleton 3-2 in overtime.
Coaches Corner:
Head Coach Andrea Thebarge is now in her fifth season at Thomas. Prior to Thomas, Thebarge served as Assistant Field Hockey Coach at the University of Maine. Thebarge has helped guide the Terriers to the postseason past three years. Last season Thomas lost their quarterfinal matchup to New England College 6-1. Each year since Thebarge has been at Thomas her number of wins has increased.
Castleton State College Head Coach Tammy Landon enters her ninth season. In 2011, Landon led the Spartans to a program-best 9-0 in conference play to earn the top seed in NAC tournament before falling to .
Who to watch:
For Thomas, Brittany Premo (Concord, N.H.) finished the regular season leading the team in goals with 10. Premo is enjoying a breakout sophomore season, being a key component to the Terriers offense.
Thomas senior midfielder Ally Kennedy (Winthrop, Maine) leads the Terriers for assists with five. Kennedy has five goals to her credit as well.
Terrier goalkeepers Jasmine Bishop (Waterville, Maine) and Sofia Sourgiadakis (Littleton, N.H.) have been solid splitting time in goal. Between the two, they have given up 35 goals on the year, and record a total of 140 saves combined. Both goalkeepers rank in the top five in conference statistics for goalkeepers.
For Castleton State College, junior Rachel Preusser (Craryville, N.Y.) and senior Kealy Chipman (Bellow Falls, Vermont) lead the Spartans in both goals and assists this season.
