One of Kim Cosenza’s objectives coming into her first year as Holy Cross field hockey coach this fall was for the team’s six seniors to have a great season.
“To be part of that shift your senior year can be really challenging,” Cosenza said. “This group has completely chosen to buy in.”
When the Crusaders defeated American, 2-1, in a shootout Oct. 25 at the Hart Turf Field, Saskia Williams, Maguire Sturgis, Meredith Schepens, Charlotte Powers, Marissa MacLean and Madison Clark, achieved a first in their four years at Holy Cross – clinching a berth in the Patriot League playoffs. HC had not made the PL tourney since the COVID-shortened 2021 spring season.
“I wanted for them to have a great senior year and walk away from this program feeling like they left in it a better place than how they found it,” Cosenza said, “and that they enjoyed themselves.”
With one game left in the regular season and the tournament to follow, they are.
Cosenza, a Fitchburg native and former Worcester State star, was enjoying a tremendous five-year run at WPI when the Holy Cross coaching job opened last winter.
Moving up to Division 1 and being able to stay home made the opportunity ideal, and Cosenza has delivered.
At 9-5 (3-2), the Crusaders have their most victories since 2016. HC’s last winning season was 2006.
“I feel so blessed and thankful,” Cosenza said. “It’s been unreal. It’s been great.”
Cosenza said her players’ selflessness and the dedication of her staff, assistants Chris Pothier, Emily Sollecito, Nate O’Lari and director of operations Nat Mohn, have been a winning combination.
HC opened the year with three wins in its first four games and beat Northeastern for the first time in program history. The victory over American last weekend was just HC’s second over the Eagles since 2002.
“The players have bought in,” Cosenza said. “They now believe and have the understanding of how much potential they have and how much improvement they’ve made. We’re playing quality hockey. It’s truly a 100% team effort.”
Cosenza said the scout team did an outstanding job challenging and preparing the Crusaders for the American game.
“Every single person makes an impact,” Cosenza said. “That was a big part of the message after win on Sunday – it was a team win, no matter if you got on the field or not.”
Cosenza, who previously coached at Worcester State and Fitchburg State, guided WPI to its first NCAA Division 3 Tournament berth in more than 25 years last fall.
After the Holy Cross men’s lacrosse team’s banquet Sunday, players and coaches, all dressed up in suits, came out to the Hart Turf Field to cheer on the field hockey team against American.
“The support of the Holy Cross community has been amazing,” Cosenza said. “They brought so much energy to the stands. Our players really appreciated them. They were awesome.”
WSU's Tatum honored by MASCAC
Maia Tatum, who was a T&G Super Team honoree in field hockey and ice hockey at Auburn High, led the Worcester State field hockey team to a 2-0 week and into second place in the MASCAC standings heading into the final week of the regular season.
In the two games, Tatum totaled 11 points on five goals and an assist.
Tatum scored two goals, including the winner in overtime, against Framingham State, and she recorded a hat trick to lead the Lancers past Salem State, 5-0.
Tatum was the MASCAC Offensive Player and Rookie of the Week.
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'It’s been unreal': Cosenza leads Holy Cross field hockey into postseason