NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – The second-seeded Smith College field hockey team is ready for a 2 p.m. matchup against third-seeded MIT (12-4, 6-2) in the semifinal round of the NEWMAC Tournament on Saturday at MacDowell Field in Babson Park, Mass.

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The Pioneers (10-8, 6-2 in NEWMAC) have now advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament for the second consecutive season and just their second appearance since 2000. Smith last reached the conference championship game in 1998.

This marks the highest seed for Smith in the conference tournament since 1993 when the Pioneers earned the top seed as members of the NEW8 conference. The squad went on to reach the title game en route to qualifying for the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The other semifinal round tilt Saturday will feature No. 9 Babson and fifth-seeded Mount Holyoke at 11:00 a.m. MHC defeated fourth-seeded Wellesley, 2-1, in the quarterfinals Tuesday. The Beavers earned the No. 1 seed and the right to host the championship tournament after an undefeated conference record of 8-0, outscoring their opponents 27-1.

Both Smith and Babson earned a bye to the semifinals after finishing the regular season as the top two teams. 

The squad has utilized a balanced-attack identity this year. Leading the way has been the trio of Julia Hamilton (Williamstown, Mass./Deerfield Academy) (11 goals, three assists, 25 points), Elsie Odhiambo (Oyugis, Kenya/Kisumu Girls School) (6-2-14) and Emily Biggs (Florence, Mass./Northampton) (4-0-8). The trio have combined to score nine game-winning goals this season. Bayleigh Bogan (Encinitas, Calif./La Costa Canyon) leads the team with five assists. 

Smith's defensive unit is led by sophomore Beatrice Chaudoin (Millersville, Md./Severna Park) who has registered five defensive saves in 2016. 

Goalkeeper Cameo Tietje (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) (10-8) has recorded four shutouts as a third-year starter. The Massapequa, N.Y. native has compiled a 2.76 goals-against average and .766 save percentage. She has totaled 129 saves, which ranks No. 1 in the conference.

The winners of the semifinal matches will meet in the championship game Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

SCOUTING MIT
Junior Emily Penn (19-4-42) ranks No. 1 in the conference in goals and is tied for the lead in points, while sophomore Bailey Tregoning (10-2-22) has scored five game-winning goals on the year which leads the NEWMAC. Freshman Devin Goetz (3-5-11) leads the team in assists and goalkeeper Kate Brewer has gone 3-2 with a 1.60 goals against average and a .680 save percentage in five starts this fall.

SERIES HISTORY
The Engineers hold a 17-15 advantage in the all-time series against Smith but has dropped back-to-back meetings against the Pioneers. Smith gave MIT their first conference loss of the season on October 15 by a 1-0 final score.

POSTSEASON HISTORY
Saturday's game will be the fourth meeting between these two schools in the conference postseason. Smith has won two of the three previous meetings but suffered a 3-0 loss to MIT in the 2013 quarterfinals

TICKETS
Admission to all games will be $4 for adults, $2 for seniors and $1 for students. There is no charge for children under 12.