Former Skidmore field hockey standout Lacey French '01 has some business to attend to before her Oct. 18 induction into the Skidmore Athletics Hall of Fame. This Friday, French will bring her Union College field hockey team to Skidmore to take on the 18th-ranked Thoroughbreds in a 4 p.m. Liberty League match-up.

Beth Hallenbeck" alt="Beth Hallenbeck" id="||CPIMAGE:299842|" src="http://cms.skidmore.edu/news/admin/news/images/bethh-for-web_2.jpg" />
Coach Beth Hallenbeck

"Lacey is one of the building blocks in the strong foundation that moved Skidmore field hockey to the national level," said Skidmore Coach Beth Hallenbeck. "Our success today can be directly linked to the high standards set by Lacey and her teammates."

French, a three-time All-American, was a member of two NCAA Division III tournament teams, including the 1999 team that finished 18-2 and won the program's first Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association title.

"Lacey's influence is clearly seen in the Union program," Hallenbeck continued. "They have been re-energized and are fast becoming contenders in the Liberty League."

Now in her fifth year at Union, French has turned around the Dutchwomen program.  Union is coming off its best season in 19 years, one that included an appearance in the Liberty League semifinals.  This year, the team is off to a 2-0 start and will give the 3-2 Thoroughbreds all they can handle in what could be a Liberty League tournament preview.

This will be the 33rd meeting between the teams, with Skidmore holding a 17-14-2 series lead. The Thoroughbreds have won 11 straight, including a 2-1 win last season at Union.