WASHINGTON, Pa. – Caroline Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./Liberty) registered the first hat trick in Gator history as the Allegheny field hockey team concluded their 2026 regular season with a 5-1 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) road victory at Washington and Jefferson Saturday (Oct. 31).
Smith finished the game with a program record three goals. Not only did that break the single game record for Allegheny, it gave her eight goals on the season to tie the team record. The six points the goals generated gave her 20 on the year to set another program record. Additionally, with 38 career points, she is tied for the program lead.
The Gators got on the board early in the first quarter. Just over four minutes in, Smith created a turnover deep in Presidents' territory and quickly capitalized on it for the tally.
Allegheny also added another quick goal to start the second. About 90 seconds in,
Teagan Ressler (Glenwood, N.J./Vernon Township) sent a pass in front of the crease over to
Josie Hutchcroft (Silver Spring, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel). Hutchcroft took a quick shot that found the back of the net, increasing the advantage to 2-0.
Smith struck for the second time five minutes later. Ressler battled through W&J defenders and sent a pass towards the net. Smith was able to get her stick on it right before the goalie could clear it, knocking it in for the third goal.
Midway through the second, Smith completed the hat trick. After a scrum in front of the net following some Gator attacks, Smith cleaned-up the rebound to push the lead to 4-0.
The Presidents got on the board early in the second half off a penalty stroke, but the Gators were quick to answer. On a corner,
Jamie Marchewka (Buffalo, N.Y./Amherst Central) scored to bring the advantage back to four.
That proved to be the final goal of the match as the Gators collected a 5-1 win.
Inside the Box
- Smith finished with three goals to lead the way.
- Hutchcroft and Marchewka also found the back of the net.
- Ressler registered a pair of assists.
- Rhyan Rish (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) made a defensive save.
- Rowan O'Toole (Glen Burnie, Md./Archbishop Spalding) made three saves in net.
News and Notes
- The Gators are now 6-3 all-time against the Presidents.
- Allegheny finishes the season with an 8-8 record and a 6-4 mark in NCAC play.
- Smith scored her sixth and seventh goals of the season. She finishes the regular season with 20 points, breaking the program season record. Her 38 career points is now tied for the most in Gator history as well.
- The hat trick by Smith marked the first in program history. Additionally, her eight goals on the season ties the program record.
