Dr. Arthur F. Kirk, Jr. Athletics Hall of Fame
The 2001 Keuka College Women's Soccer team was groundbreaking in the history of Keuka College Athletics. In its first year in the North Eastern Athletic Conference, Keuka College went undefeated, winning the regular-season and tournament titles.
The Green and Gold earned a berth into the 2001 NCAA Division III Tournament, a first for any team at Keuka College. There Keuka College pulled a 1-0 upset in the first round at SUNY Oneonta. Laura Hart Puryear set up Shannon Carlson VanNorman for the lone goal and Missy Burngasser Joy made 14 saves for the shutout. It was the first NCAA Tournament game and NCAA victory in school history.
Head Coach Paul Bonus was named NEAC Coach of the Year and Hart Puryear was named NEAC Player of the Year in 2001. The team was a band of road warriors, posting seven victories away from home, second-best in program history. The 2001 team still holds the record for most saves and best save percentage in a single season.
The 2001 team paved the path of success for the Women's Soccer program at Keuka College. Since that season, Keuka College has won six regular-season or tournament titles in the North Easter Athletic Conference while winning 78% of its league games. Keuka College has also qualified for three other NCAA Tournaments in women's soccer, but the 2001 team remains the only squad to win a game in the national tournament.
