ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College Field Hockey goalkeepers were busy this fall, leading the NCAA Division III with 15.81 saves per-game.
"Our defense was under a lot of pressure each game," said Head Coach Carissa Warren. "I think this speaks volumes to our entire unit controlling what we could control and how we shaped the play to change the types of shots we were facing. I am eager to see the lessons we learned from this year pay off next fall!"
On an individual level, freshman goalkeeper/midfielder Olivia Brand (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) totaled 146 saves across ten games played at goalie,14.60 per-game, good for third in the country.
The rookie, who made eight starts in goal for the Gators (1-15), received an honorable mention to be the NFHCA Division III Defensive Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, September 29. She scored a goal in the September 27 shutout of visiting Elmira before making 13 saves in her first collegiate start, a 2-0 non-conference setback at RPI on September 28. Brand was selected the Empire 8 Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for her efforts.
She established the program's single-game record, along with the 2024 NCAA high water mark, regardless of division, with 39 saves versus Skidmore on October 16.
"It was so fun watching Olivia's growth throughout the fall," said Warren. "She is an incredibly hard worker and I am excited to see how she and our team continue to grow in the next year. I know she will keep impressing anyone that has the chance to see her in goal."
Gator Bites with Papa John's: The fall marked the first with Warren leading the Gators…She arrived to Albany from two-time defending Empire 8 Conference Champion Hartwick…RSC delivered Warren her first career victory on September 27, a 7-0 E8 shutout of visiting Elmira…Three players: senior defender Shauna Lanoue (Troy, NY/Columbia), midfielder Alexa Wentz (Whitney Point, NY/ Whitney Point), a grad student, and sophomore midfielder Cheyanne Zobel (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), were voted to the 2024 All-Empire 8 Conference teams.
