Hall of Fame
In November 2001, the Bentley College field hockey team made history as they delivered Bentley’s first NCAA national championship as they defeated East Stroudsburg, 4-2, on their home turf.
A quarter century later, they made history again when they became the first team to be enshrined in the Bentley Athletic Hall of Fame.
With a 22–1 record, a dynamic and relentless offense, a defense that smothered opponents, and an unshakeable belief in one another, they climbed to the summit of Division II field hockey.
Their championship run was built on excellence, resilience, and a refusal to settle. After reaching the national title game in both 1999 and 2000, the Falcons entered 2001 determined to finish the climb. They powered through the regular season, captured their sixth straight Northeast-10 championship, and earned the right to host the NCAA Final Four right on campus.
In the national semifinal, senior captain Alicia Cabrera delivered the game’s only goal, sending Bentley to the title game for the third consecutive year. And on championship day, before a packed and energized crowd, the Falcons rose to the moment. Goals from Kristyn Bates, Liz McKenna, Lauren Galenski, and Cabrera fueled the victo and secured Bentley’s first NCAA crown.
Led by head coach Kelly McGowan, assistant coaches Ben Saraydarian and Ann Marie Sheridan, and captains Cabrera and Allyson Bunce, the 2001 Falcons embodied depth, discipline, and championship poise.
The championship remains a defining milestone for Bentley Athletics, one that still echoes across the program today.
TEAM ROSTER
Seniors: Allyson Bunce, Alicia Cabrera
Juniors: Kristyn Bates, Carolyn Bolster, Jenny Cahill, Kristin Cronin, Diana DeMain, Martina DeSimone
Sophomores: Kara Bouvier, Meghan Faria, Lauren Galenski, Beatrice Ghita, Kristen Godfrey, Eric Hickey, Liz McKenna, Liz Novis
Freshmen: Kristen Conroy, Christy Falco, Kayla Gogos, Elizabeth Kopec, Kerry Ann Kopec, Kim Maloomian, Amy Tufts, Jennifer Walker
