A New Era Begins for Skidmore Field Hockey
Skidmore College will open its 2026 field hockey season on September 1, hosting Utica University on its home turf in Saratoga Springs. The matchup marks the first test for the program’s newly appointed head coach, Kate Lenox, who steps into the role after a decade of service as an assistant and recruiting coordinator at Williams College.
Lenox inherits a squad that finished the previous year with a 9‑10 overall record and a 3‑4 mark in the Liberty League, a margin that kept the team just outside the playoff picture. Despite the setback, the program retains 16 players, including 14 who saw action in 2025 and two who returned after a season away from competition.
Among the returning veterans are Gianna DiGioacchino and Erin Ohlenbusch, both honored on the 2025 All‑Liberty League Second Team and recognized on the CSC Academic All‑District At‑Large Team. Ohlenbusch contributed three goals and five assists while averaging more than 55 minutes per game, and DiGioacchino started every contest, tallying three goals and two assists.
The offensive load will also be carried by Ella Costa and Colby Paul, who each posted 18 points in the prior season, and Nicole Sylvestri, who adds depth to the midfield. Together, the group aims to translate their experience into a more cohesive attacking rhythm.
The 2026 schedule blends non‑league contests with league play, featuring road trips to Geneseo, Trinity, Hamilton, Thomas and Castleton before the Liberty League slate begins. The league tournament is slated to start on November 3, with semifinals on November 6 and the championship game on November 8, a timeline that mirrors the program’s recent championship in 2016.
Coach Beth Hallenbeck, who recorded her 400th career win in 2025, remains a stabilizing presence as the team navigates this transitional year. Lenox has emphasized growth, competition, and representing Skidmore with pride, grit, and passion, goals that echo the program’s storied past of ten league titles and 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, including three Final Fours in 2001, 2010 and 2013.