JWU Finishes Undefeated in GNAC Play, Earns Top Spot in Postseason Tournament
Tournament Info
WINTHROP, Mass. – Three-time reigning champion Johnson & Wales looks to make it four this postseason as they will enter the 2024 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Field Hockey Tournament as the top seed once again in the tournament for the third year in a row. The Wildcats finished regular season play undefeated for the second time in three years, going a perfect 12-0 in conference play (15-3 overall).
At the No. 2 spot this season will be New England College after they finished 10-2 (15-3 overall) in GNAC play while Simmons took the third spot, tying NEC in conference play (10-2, 16-3 overall). Despite having the same conference record, the Pilgrims of New England College defeated the Sharks of Simmons University earlier in the season, 1-0, on Oct. 16 which gave them the head-to-head tiebreaking edge to determine the top three seeds.
Last year’s runner-up Colby-Sawyer looks to avenge their loss as they come in as the No. 4 seed in this year’s tournament, going 9-3 (12-6 overall) in conference. At the fifth spot this year is Saint Joseph’s (Maine), who looks to go back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2019. The Monks finished regular season play at 9-10 overall (7-5 in GNAC).
The GNAC Quarterfinals start on Saturday (Nov. 2) with the eight teams going head-to-head. The top-seeded Wildcats will take on No. 8 seed Dean (5-7 GNAC, 8-11 overall) at noon. Two-seeded NEC will take on seven-seeded Lasell (6-6 GNAC, 10-8 overall) at noon as well. Simmons will host six-seeded University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) at 11 a.m. as the Blue Jays come in with a 7-5 (11-7 overall) GNAC record. The Chargers and the Monks face off at 1 p.m. with Colby-Sawyer hosting.
The winners will advance to play in the GNAC Semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 6 with the prevailing teams competing for the GNAC Championship on Saturday, Nov. 9. The winner of the GNAC Championship match will be named the 2024 GNAC Field Hockey Champion and earn the conference's automatic qualifier into the 2024 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship.
2024 GNAC Field Hockey Tournament Schedule
Quarterfinals – Saturday, Nov. 2
(Hosted by higher seeds)
#1 Johnson & Wales vs. #8 Dean, 12 p.m.
#2 New England College vs. #7 Lasell, 12 p.m.
#3 Simmons vs. #6 University of Saint Joseph (Conn.), 11 a.m.
#4 Colby-Sawyer vs. #5 Saint Joseph’s (Maine), 1 p.m.
Semifinals – Wednesday, Nov. 6
(Hosted by higher seeds)
#1/8 Winner vs. #4/5 Winner, TBD
#2/7 Winner vs. #3/6 Winner, TBD
Championship – Saturday, Nov. 9
Semifinal winners, TBD
ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 16 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 22 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.
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