LEXINGTON, Virg. — Bryn Mawr College and Wesleyan University have made history, securing their programs’ first-ever berths in the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament. Both schools recently invested in AstroTurf’s Paris GT field system, a decision that has elevated their play to new heights.
The Bryn Mawr Owls and Wesleyan Cardinals, who previously competed on traditional infill surfaces, each made the switch this year to AstroTurf’s Paris GT fields—a specialized surface engineered specifically for field hockey and designed for play on dry fields. The change has allowed players to experience faster ball movement, enhanced stick skills, and overall elite-level performance.
Bryn Mawr (14-6) enters the tournament with a strong record, backed by a 2.15 goals-per-game average and outshooting their opponents with 240 shots on goal compared to their opponents’ 163. The Owls are led offensively by Novy Goetgeluk, who boasts seven goals and five assists, and Reba Ervin, who tallied six goals and six assists this season. Eva Yacura has also been instrumental, leading the team with 55 shots and contributing seven goals.
Bryn Mawr and Wesleyan join 12 other Division III teams competing on AstroTurf this season, adding to AstroTurf’s significant presence in NCAA tournaments across all divisions. Field hockey teams often find that playing on high-quality turf surfaces, like the Paris GT, brings out a new level of speed and precision in play- an edge that can be pivotal in postseason competitions where small details matter.
AstroTurf’s Paris GT field, a dry-play system engineered specifically for field hockey, mirrors the fast-paced nature of international competition. Both teams have embraced the advantages of this surface, which include enhanced speed, greater control, and precision in gameplay.
For Wesleyan (11-5), a team that averages 3.13 goals per game, the addition of the Paris GT field has been equally transformative. Leading scorer Georgia Adams has notched 12 goals and six assists this season, while Kenzie Kelly has contributed seven goals and two assists. With Wesleyan’s increased speed and improved stick handling on the new field, they have dominated on offense with 238 shots on goal, while keeping their opponents to 167 shots.
“Teams are always looking for ways to advance performance, and having a specialized surface that supports skill development and game flow is invaluable,” said Melissa Vassalotti-Twist, Director of Field Hockey for AstroTurf. “We’re proud that our Paris GT fields could play a part in Bryn Mawr’s and Wesleyan’s journeys to the tournament. We’re confident these fields will play a significant part in both the short-term and long-term future of the sport.”
As both teams prepare for the tournament’s first round this week, the move to AstroTurf’s Paris GT field is being credited in helping them reach this major milestone. The field’s high-speed, hockey-specific surface mirrors those used in professional and international competitions, aligning with the NCAA tournament’s fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
Bryn Mawr and Wesleyan will debut in the tournament beginning Wednesday, November 13th, where both teams will seek to extend their historic seasons.
For more information about AstroTurf and its innovative turf solutions, please visit astroturf.com.
About AstroTurf®
For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf® has redefined the way the game is played. The inventor of synthetic turf, AstroTurf® offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies. To learn more, visit astroturf.com.