St. Joe’s field hockey snapped a four-game losing streak after earning a hard-fought win against Davidson Oct. 24. Fifth-year forward/midfield Ava Smith scored two goals, adding to the impressive season she’s had.
“We’ve had a few tough losses in the conference especially, but sometimes you need those losses to make you think how much that winning means to you and the team,” Smith said.
Smith, who came to St. Joe’s from Scotland, tied the record for goals scored in a single game with four and set a new program record for most points in a single match with nine Oct. 3 against Lock Haven. She has 14 goals on the season.
“I didn’t really know [the record] was a thing because back home, points and goals, you just go out and play,” Smith said. “It was really nice getting on the bus and all the girls telling me about it. It was pretty cool to do it away from home as well.”
The team currently has an 8-9 record with a 3-2 conference record. They’re ranked No. 43 overall by the NCAA. Head coach Hannah Prince said it was a “relief” to be back in the win column after the game on the 24th.
“Our theme all week was to prove them wrong,” Prince said. “And that just meant prove the country, prove the conference and even prove yourself if you’re having any self-doubt. I feel like we absolutely did that today, so I’m thrilled.”
Sophomore back Adèle Jardemar tallied two assists in the win. Jardemar, who transferred to St. Joe’s after spending the 2024 season at Maryland, said the points on the board reflect the work her team has put in.
“I had a hard season last year because I didn’t play, and I got injured,” Jardemar said. “So, I came here in the spring, and I found this new team and we all worked really hard … it just makes us so happy and makes me so happy.”
Prince said the win was a good rebound after a few close losses.
“I think just to be able to show that we can execute corners, putting the ball in the back of the net just showed the team that what we’re made of is something special and that if they stay the course, good things can happen,” Prince said.
Prince also credited Smith with being a “threat” on attack and having a good reach defensively.
“I feel like people always talk about how many goals she scores or what she creates on attack, but I also think, equally, the way she plays on the press just puts the other team’s defenders under a lot of pressure and allows her to pick balls up and then allows us to be very close to our attack circle,” Prince said.
Smith said most of the roster is new, with only 10 players from last season returning. She credits the season she’s having to her new teammates becoming more comfortable playing with each other.
“I think now that the season’s coming to an end, we’re getting used to each other and playing off of each other a bit more, which is good,” Smith said. “Just keep putting the goals away.”
