BY MIA MESSINA
(PHOTOS BY MIKE NANCE FOR PSD)
MICHIGAN--When fifth-year Manu Ghigliotti arrived at St. Joe’s to play field hockey, the first lesson she learned was that the goal should be to leave the jersey in a better place the last time she put it on than it was the first time she wore it.
Ghigliotti and her teammates achieved this, making St. Joe’s history as the first team in school history to advance to a national championship.
The Hawks finish their season with a 20-4 record, also setting a new program record for most wins in a season.
Head coach Hannah Prince took over in 2022 with what was already a well-accomplished squad, reaching the elite eight that year, but still, Prince and the Hawks knew there was more they could achieve, and they proved it this season.
SJU Forward Manu Ghigliotti Shares thoughts on her team's historical season. (video/ Mia Messina)
“I knew that everyone that was a part of that [2022] squad was like ‘We can do more than just this,’” Prince said. “I knew that my players were extremely hungry for more, and they've remained hungry for the last three years, and I'm so privileged to be their coach, and I absolutely adore my team and the players that we have. And of course, we're losing some amazing, amazing, amazing players, but their legacy will forever live on.”
Comprised of nine fifth-years and two seniors, over half of the team has been with St. Joe’s through its long road to a national title game. Six of the Hawks have been with the program for each of its four consecutive Atlantic 10 championships. St. Joe’s conference title came with a 2-1 win over conference rival and fellow Final Four team, the University of Massachusetts.
“The A-10 final was a fight. It was like, who wanted it more? I think we're a better team and more prepared, I think, but they were really gritty, and they come strong, and you always need to be very prepared for them,” Ghigliotti said. “But I think it was amazing they also made it, so it was just nice to have two A-10 teams in the final.”
SJU Field Hockey Mantra "Why Not Us" as fans, alumni and past players cheered the team on to the Championship final. (Photo/ Mike Nance for PSD)
With their A-10 Title earning them an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the next question was a matter of who the Hawks would be facing in the first round and where they’d be traveling to.
Their first-round opponent was Lafayette, but the Hawks wouldn’t have to travel as they were hosting the first two rounds on their very own Ellen Ryan Field.
“When we heard our name called in the Selection Show, I thought my heart was going to literally pound out of my chest. It was something I knew was so much bigger than just the people in that room, and they put in the work this season to make that happen, for us to be able to host,” Prince said.
Playing in front of a home crowd was what Ghigliotti called “a special moment” for the Hawks.
The Hawks in Semifinal Win vs. North Carolina. (Photos by Mike Nance for PSD)
“We work really hard to get ourselves there,” Ghigliotti said. “I think it was more like a shock, like, ‘Oh my God! Like, we actually made it. We are hosting an NCAA tournament.’ And, I think that sets a big goal for the future of this program, that everyone else can also make it there.”
A 1-0 win over both Lafayette and Princeton led St. Joe’s to the Final Four where they faced the top-seeded University of North Carolina Tar Heels in Ann Arbor, Michigan. A 2-1 win over the reigning champions placed St. Joe’s in the national title game where they fell 5-0 to Northwestern on Nov. 24.
Ghigliotti, who scored both goals advancing the team to that title match, felt nothing but pride for her team’s successful run.
“We really wanted it. We all believed in that. We all fought for that. Not a single person was not on the same page as everyone else. So, I think it was amazing,” Ghigliotti said. “It also felt like home. A lot of SJU people were there, which made it even more special. And yeah, it didn't end up the way we wanted, obviously, but I know we made a lot of people proud, and especially our school and the program, so I think that that's my biggest takeaway.”
SJU in Quarter Finals vs. Princeton. (Photos by Mike Nance for PSD)
Despite the season not going as St. Joe’s had hoped, Prince said making it to a national championship taught the team so much and gave the Hawks memories for a lifetime.
“I've tried all week, the last two weeks, to just soak in every single second of this journey that we're on, and it's been incredible,” Prince said. “I'm just really grateful to be in the position that I'm in and lead this group, and being able to say that we made it to the national championship game is a huge honor and privilege.”
And just as the Hawks remained hungry following Prince’s first season in 2022, they will remain hungry coming off this season as they hope to build upon what the program has already accomplished.
SJU Head Coach Hannah Prince talks about her team's success and their desire for more at post championship game press conference. (video/ Mia Messina)
“Everyone keeps saying we made history this year, and that's incredible, and I love having the mentality of: Let's continue on that path,” Prince said.
“Let's keep trying to make history and doing everything in our power as coaches, as support staff, as players, as even recruits who are committed to the program, just being extremely bought into what we're trying to achieve, and just have some fun with it and stay as humble and hungry as possible.”
