The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) is home to some of the most competitive women’s lacrosse programs in the country. With eight member schools located in the Northeast, the conference provides a challenging and exciting environment for student-athletes.
NESCAC Women’s Lacrosse: By the Numbers
- 11 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championships (since 2001)
- 17 Final Four appearances (since 2001)
- 180 All-Americans (since 2001)
- 161 All-Region selections (since 2001)
Member Schools
The NESCAC consists of the following eight member schools:
- Amherst College
- Bates College
- Bowdoin College
- Colby College
- Connecticut College
- Hamilton College
- Middlebury College
- Williams College
NESCAC Women’s Lacrosse: Notable Players
Over the years, the NESCAC has produced a number of standout women’s lacrosse players, including:
- Sarah Diamond (Bowdoin) – 2010 Tewaaraton Trophy winner
- Chelsea Havern (Middlebury) – 2007 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Player of the Year
- Katie Hamilton (Amherst) – 2015 NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year
- Kate Humiston (Williams) – 2018 NESCAC Rookie of the Year
NESCAC Women’s Lacrosse: Championships
The NESCAC Women’s Lacrosse Tournament is a single-elimination tournament held at the end of the regular season. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Tournament.
- Amherst College – 8 championships (2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022)
- Middlebury College – 4 championships (2002, 2004, 2013, 2019)
- Bowdoin College – 2 championships (2001, 2003)
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks for success in NESCAC women’s lacrosse:
- Be strong on the draw. Draw controls are essential for possession and momentum.
- Move the ball quickly. The NESCAC is a fast-paced league, so it’s important to keep the ball moving.
- Shoot early and often. Don’t be afraid to shoot, even if you’re not in close range. The more shots you take, the more likely you are to score.
- Play aggressive defense. The NESCAC is known for its tough defense, so it’s important to be aggressive in your own end.
- Communicate with your teammates. Communication is key in lacrosse, so make sure you’re communicating with your teammates both on and off the field.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few common mistakes to avoid in NESCAC women’s lacrosse:
- Don’t overcommit on defense. It’s important to be aggressive on defense, but don’t overcommit and leave yourself out of position.
- Don’t be afraid to take risks. The NESCAC is a competitive league, so you need to be willing to take risks to succeed.
- Don’t give up. NESCAC games are often close, so it’s important to never give up, even if you’re behind.
FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions about NESCAC women’s lacrosse:
- What is the NESCAC?
The NESCAC is a Division III athletic conference consisting of eight member schools located in the Northeast. - How many teams make up the NESCAC?
The NESCAC consists of eight member schools. - How many NESCAC teams have won the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship?
Four NESCAC teams have won the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship: Amherst College (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022), Bowdoin College (2001, 2003), Middlebury College (2002, 2004), and Williams College (2007). - How many NESCAC players have been named NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Player of the Year?
Three NESCAC players have been named NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Player of the Year: Chelsea Havern (Middlebury, 2007), Sarah Diamond (Bowdoin, 2010), and Hannah Dougherty (Amherst, 2022). - How many NESCAC players have been named All-Americans?
Over 180 NESCAC players have been named All-Americans since 2001. - How many NESCAC teams have been ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Poll?
All eight NESCAC teams have been ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Poll at some point since 2001.
Conclusion
The NESCAC is a highly competitive and exciting conference for women’s lacrosse. With eight strong member schools, the NESCAC provides a challenging environment for student-athletes and produces some of the best women’s lacrosse players in the country.