Men’s and Women’s Soccer return to Skyhawk Field

By Annie Renz

Skyhawk Field underwent a full renovation this summer after an unused 2024 fall season.  

The grass field across from Shields Science Center is the home of Stonehill’s men’s and women’s soccer teams.  

No games were played on Skyhawk last year for either team. Before the men’s team played Navy at home last August, the field was deemed unplayable.  

“I just think when you started comparing, it wasn’t a first-class facility,” said Stonehill women’s soccer head coach Alex Wilson. “It wasn’t showing our best to the opponents nor ourselves.” 

Conversations to renovate the field began in the spring of 2025. Construction started quickly afterwards, as shovels hit the ground the day after graduation.  

One of the problems with Skyhawk was the unevenness across the field, including slopes.  

“They basically ripped the entire surface up and used laser grating to ensure that it was flat, smooth, and level in all the areas,” said Wilson.  

After flattening out the surface, a new irrigation system needed to be installed before laying down Kentucky blue sod.  

Men’s and women’s soccer arrived in August for preseason, but the surface wasn’t ready to use until September.  

“Since July, it’s just been growing and then being cut,” said Wilson. “Now that we’re on it, it’s just about the maintenance from the watering and wear-and-tear perspective.” 

The women’s team will play on Skyhawk for their first - and only - time of the season on Thursday. The rest of their home games are at WB Mason Stadium.  

The field has already been broken in by the men’s side, who have three games on the new surface under their belt.  

“We are excited to play on the new surface and thankful the College invested in renovating our home field,” said men’s soccer head coach James Reddish. “We definitely feel a home-field advantage when playing on Skyhawk Field and hope we can continue to develop the area around the field with some branding to improve the stadium environment.” 

Wilson also said she hopes for development around the facility, including the construction of permanent structures and updating the scoreboard.  

The value that comes with having your own field is something both coaches recognize. 

“Playing in WB Mason Stadium was a good environment, but having our own field that does not have multi-sport lines due to sharing with other sports is special,” said Reddish. 

“I think it’s obviously great to have a class grass facility. I think it gives the program some variety not just when we’re home but when we’re away to have the surfaces to train on,” said Wilson. “To me, it doesn’t take away the need for a second turf field.” 

The debate of playing on turf or grass is something that the women’s soccer team’s players have discussed a lot about. Some players prefer to remain on WB Mason Stadium, while others are excited about the renovations that are bringing them back to Skyhawk.  

“I don’t think Skyhawk fits our style as a team,” said Hannah Anselmo. “We are pacey and fast, and it doesn’t give us a home-field advantage.” 

“I love Skyhawk, but I think it has a lot more potential,” said Olivia Sharkansky. 

Senior captain Katie Carey is a big advocate for playing on Skyhawk Field and thinks the changes being made will elevate the program.  

“It feels like the care that they have for it and the plan they have to keep up with that care feels a lot more like division one and a lot more professional approach to it than how they were treating it before,” she said.  

Some of the men’s team players also have mixed opinions of the grass facility.  

“The new grass is pretty good, far better than before. I guess the only downside is that we can’t play any night games there because we don’t have lights,” said Preston Thompson. “It’s nicer than before, but it still doesn’t have stadium vibes. I feel like I’m playing at a high school.”  

“Overall, I’m super happy with all the time, work, and effort the school put into Skyhawk,” said Amman Muzaffar. “It’s been amazing so far, and it’s so much nicer than it was before.” 

You can watch the men’s team on Skyhawk on Sunday, October 19, against FDU, and the women’s side on October 16 against Delaware State.