FROM THE E-T: Merrimack field hockey set for NCAA tournament Saturday
Mike McMahon / Eagle Tribune
NORTH ANDOVER — Merrimack junior Sarah Sparks isn't going to lie. Monday afternoon, when the Merrimack field hockey team gathered to watch the NCAA selection show, there were plenty of nerves.
Merrimack fell last Friday in the Northeast-10 tournament to Assumption, 1-0. That loss in the semifinals not only put to rest the Warriors' hopes of winning an NE-10 crown, but it also put their hopes of making the NCAA tournament in serious question.
Merrimack seemed to be sitting solidly on the bubble of the regional rankings.
On Sunday, Sparks, a junior captain, and other teammates went to Worcester to watch the league's championship game.
"It was weird," she said. "We weren't really sure which scenario would be better for us, so we were watching the game but not really sure which team winning would help us more. Our first goal was to win the NE-10, so that loss definitely hurt. We really wanted that. We really wanted to win that for our seniors."
The team gathered again on Monday for the selection show.
"I won't lie," Sparks said. "Obviously there were a lot of nerves. I know I was nervous and I think everyone else was feeling it too. Once we were called, you could really feel the excitement come across the whole room. It felt great."
Not only did the Warriors qualify, they'll host Adelphi at Martone-Mejail Field tonight at 6 p.m.
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