The New Haven field hockey team celebrated their senior class Saturday afternoon as they hosted conference foe and No. 10-ranked Bentley University. Though they lost the match 3-1, it was a day of recognition for a group that has overseen immense growth in the program during the last few seasons.

In 2018, many of the seniors’ first year with the program, the Chargers were still in an infant-state. In just their second season as a varsity sport, they only tallied two total wins. Now, 16 games into the 2021 season, New Haven has eight wins with a highlight victory over No. 9 American International College and multiple close losses against other ranked opponents.

Alexis Rider, a senior forward and midfield, has been an integral part of the team over this stretch. She netted the Chargers’ lone goal against the Falcons, tying the game just four minutes into the match. Bentley went on to net two more goals, going ahead in the second quarter and extending their lead late in the fourth.

New Haven honored all nine members of their senior class, composed of: Rider, sisters Amy and Erin Baldwin, Julia Battino, Reilly Bialko, Olivia Boyle, Morgan McCarty, Amber Suits and Jessica Valentino. Senior manager Ben Shadeck was also honored during the ceremony. This core of players will be a tough group to replace, with four of the team’s leaders in points graduating. However, they leave behind a program that has vastly improved in their four years on campus.

With the loss, New Haven falls to 8-8 (8-4 NE-10) and is currently tied for sixth in the conference standings. The Chargers have faltered in the past week, dropping three straight against ranked opponents. They will look to get back on track in the final week of the season. Bentley improves to 12-4 (10-2 NE-10) and boasts a seven-game winning streak. Their hot play puts them in a tie for second place in the conference with Saint Anselm College.

New Haven will host Mercy College on Wednesday for their final home game of the season at Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium, with the game scheduled to start at 7 p.m. New Haven will then travel to Manchester, N.H. to face Saint Anselm, a test against one of the conference’s top teams before playoffs begin. Stats and live streams for each match can be found at NewHavenChargers.com.