UMass, Lock Haven, VCU Qualify for 2022 Championship

NEWPORT NEWS, Va.— Saint Joseph’s field hockey captured its sixth Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season title in the past seven years and seventh regular season title overall, and will serve as the No. 1 overall seed for the 2022 A-10 Field Hockey Championship. The championship begins Thursday and concludes Saturday at Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex in Amherst, Mass. 
 
Ranked 11^th in the most recent NFHCA poll, Saint Joseph’s concluded the season with a 7-0 mark in league play and did not concede a goal all season. It’s the first time in 30 years an Atlantic 10 team completed league play without giving up a goal. Led by Lily Santi, the A-10 leader in goals with 15, and goalkeeper Robin Bleekemolen with a stingy 1.15 goals allowed per game, the Hawks have a 13-4 record overall and have wins over four ranked teams (No. 8 Rutgers, No. 20 Boston College, No. 15 Harvard and No. 18 Massachusetts).
 
SJU will open the championship against fourth-seeded VCU in the first semifinal, Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Bridget McCormick paces the Rams offensively with 19 points as VCU wrapped up the year at 10-8 overall and 4-3 in the A-10, including a win over Richmond Friday to secure the fourth spot in the championship.

Massachusetts closed out the 2022 campaign at 6-1 in Atlantic 10 competition with an 13-4 mark overall, earning the second seed for the championship following a win Friday over third-seeded Lock Haven. The two teams will meet for a rematch Thursday in the second semifinal at 2:00 pm. The Minutewomen, who will serve as hosts for the championship, are led by Mali Herberhold (7 goals, 8 assists, 22 points) and Jess Beech (7 goals, 3 assists, 17 points) and are ranked 20^th in the latest NFHCA poll.
 
Lock Haven finished 5-2 in league play this season and 12-5 overall. They are led by Martina Spangenberg, who collected 23 points this season behind 10 goals and three assists and goalkeeper Kelsey Felix whose .786 winning percentage ranks in the top 10 nationally.
 
Thursday’s semifinal winners will meet Saturday at noon for the A-10 Championship match. The winner of the 2022 Atlantic 10 Field Hockey Championship will earn the Atlantic 10’s automatic bid and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
 
All three games of the A-10 Field Hockey Championship will be broadcast on ESPN+. For watch links, result, photos and more visit the Field Hockey Championship Central at atlantic10.com.