Babson's field hockey team has experienced a season marked by both triumphs and challenges, demonstrating resilience and skill in various matchups.
NCAA Tournament Journey
The Polar Bears concluded the year with a 10-8 overall record, earning a coveted spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. However, their journey faced a tough challenge against Babson.
Competing in the NCAA Quarterfinal round for the first time in team history, the No. 7 ranked Wesleyan field hockey team was defeated by No. 3 Babson in a 1-0 loss at MacDowell Field on Sunday afternoon. Sunday's Quarterfinal showdown saw the Cardinals fall victim to a first half goal from Laney Reed on a penalty corner in the 18th minute.
Key Game Highlights
In a game against Bowdoin, Babson wasted little time in getting on the board. Caroline DiGiovanni ran onto a ball that was moving from the stroke line toward the top of the circle. Midway through the second quarter Bowdoin converted on a corner to make 1-1. Fei Yang-Sady pushed a ball toward goal from the top right edge of the circle, allowing Emily Ferguson to get a touch.
Despite playing down for the majority of the third quarter, Babson converted on just their second corner of the game with seconds remaining in the frame. The teams both put seven shots on net.
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Match Against Wesleyan
BABSON PARK, Mass. - Wesleyan University's Leila Feldman scored with 4:49 left in the first quarter and that was all the Cardinals needed in their 1-0 win against the Hamilton College Continentals in a 2025 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship second round game at Babson College's MacDowell Field on Saturday afternoon, Nov. No. 7 Wesleyan (16-4) won for the 12th time in its last 13 games. The Cardinals play Babson in the NCAA quarterfinals on Sunday, Nov. Midway through the second, a shot by the Continentals' Isabelle Nahon '27 was blocked following a corner. The Continentals' last hope at tying the score was a penalty corner early in the fourth quarter that didn't result in a shot. Janssen made a season-high eight saves for the Continentals. Wesleyan avenged a 4-1 home loss to the Continentals on Sept.
It was a dominant defensive effort from both teams all afternoon. Babson found their goal following back-to-back penalty corners early in the second quarter. The defenses continued to limit scoring opportunities in the third quarter. Pushing for an equalizer, the Cardinals had a decisive advantage in field player in the fourth quarter, pinning the hosts in their own end for most of the way and outshooting the Beavers 6-0 with four corners. Leila Feldman '28 had a pair of attempts early in the frame, but one was wide and the second was blocked. Wesleyan pulled Pace with 2:38 remaining in favor of an extra field player, and Babson received a yellow card within the final minute of regulation for a two-attacker advantage for Wesleyan.
Game Against Wellesley College
WELLESLEY, Mass. - Wellesley College field hockey dropped its NEWMAC opener to No. The Blue (1-5 Overall, 0-1 NEWMAC) scored the game's opening goal in the eighth minute when sophomore Claudia Summers (San Diego, Calif.) connected on a reverse shot into the left side of the cage. The Beavers (6-1 Overall, 1-0 NEWMAC) evened the score less than three minutes later converting on a play off a penalty corner. Senior Laney Reed (West Chester, Pa.) was able to find junior teammate Grace Mullaney (Boxford, Mass.) through traffic waiting on the far side of the goal. Babson scored three times in the second quarter for a 4-1 lead at the half. First-year Madison Tibbals (Gorham, Maine) earned the win with one goal allowed and a couple of saves for Babson. Wellesley will remain home on Tuesday, September 24 to welcome University of New England in a 5:00 PM showdown.
Matchup with Springfield College
Springfield, Mass. - October 21, 2025 - The Springfield College field hockey team fell to No. Sarah Healy (Niantic, Conn.) registered her first goal of the season for the Pride, while Amber Wolkner (Farmington, Conn.) picked up her fourth helper of the campaign. Healy put Springfield ahead late in the first quarter as she redirected a long pass from Wolkner for the 1-0 lead. The goal for Healy was her first of the season, second of her career and marked the first time Springfield had a lead in a game against Babson since 2014.
Babson answered and knotted the score at one in the second quarter as Baroni rocketed a shot off a short pass from Alex Michelotti. After a scoreless third quarter, DiGiovanni registered a goal playing a player up off a feed from Anna Bonazzoli, giving Babson a 2-1 lead with just over ten minutes remaining in regulation. Sam Orcutt (Forestdale, Mass.) made nine saves for the Pride tonight.
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Here's a summary of Babson's performance against various teams:
Babson Field Hockey Claims 5th Straight NEWMAC Championship
| Opponent | Result | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Bowdoin | N/A | Qualified for NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. |
| Wesleyan | 1-0 Loss | Laney Reed scored the lone goal for Babson. |
| Wellesley College | Win for Babson | Laney Reed assisted Grace Mullaney for a goal. Babson scored three times in the second quarter. |
| Springfield College | 2-1 Win | DiGiovanni scored the game-winning goal. |
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