Campus Overview

Merrimack College is a private Catholic liberal arts college located in North Andover, Massachusetts, offering an intimate academic experience with approximately 2,500 undergraduate students. The school provides a close-knit, personalized educational environment characterized by small class sizes and strong community connections.


Location & Setting Suburban campus situated in North Andover, approximately 25 miles north of Boston. The campus offers a peaceful, tree-lined setting with easy access to urban amenities. Boston's metropolitan area provides additional cultural and professional opportunities within reasonable driving distance.

Campus Life Tight-knit residential community with most students living on campus. Limited Greek life, with a focus on inclusive campus activities and club involvement. Weekend social scene tends to be campus-centered, with many events and activities organized by student organizations. The small student body promotes close relationships and collaborative social experiences.

Student Body Predominantly regional draw, with strong representation from Massachusetts and neighboring New England states. Students typically come from middle-class backgrounds, with a mix of first-generation college students and those seeking a supportive, faith-informed academic environment. Moderate geographic diversity, with some international representation.

Academics Strong emphasis on undergraduate education with notable programs in business, engineering, and health sciences. Academically rigorous but supportive environment with low student-to-faculty ratios. Offers experiential learning opportunities, internships, and research experiences across disciplines.

Athletics & Sports NCAA Division I hockey program with strong regional reputation. Competitive athletic programs across multiple sports, with hockey being particularly prominent. Moderate campus athletic spirit, with sports playing an important role in campus identity but not dominating student culture.

Lifestyle & Weather Typical New England climate with cold winters, mild summers, and distinct seasonal changes. Campus is somewhat car-dependent, though local shuttle services are available. Proximity to Boston provides additional recreational and outdoor activity options. Winter sports and fall foliage are notable regional attractions.

Field Hockey (2025)

Level
D1 Low
RPI Rank
#81
2025 Record
Overall: 3-14
Conference
Northeast Conference
Coach
Rachel Perry
Recruiting Events:
Disney Showcase 2026
Super Sixty December 2025Dec '25

School

Type
Private (Roman Catholic)
Classification
Master's: Larger Programs
Common Majors:
Business (27%)
Marketing (33%)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (27%)
• Finance and Financial Management Services (20%)
• Accounting and Related Services (13%)
• International Business (4%)
• Human Resources Management and Services (3%)
Health Professions (12%)
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (49%)
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (39%)
• Public Health (6%)
• Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (4%)
• Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (1%)
Family Sciences (11%)
Recreation (7%)
Homeland Security (7%)

Student Body

Total
5,532
Undergrad
73%
Demographics
52% women
Student:Faculty
14:1

Programs of Interest

Environmental Science (0.4%)
Psychology (5.1%)
Biology (3.3%)
Sports Med / Kinesiology (19.4%)
French

Academics

Admission Rate
74%
Retention
84%
Graduation
72%

Costs

In-State
$51,786
Out-of-State
$51,786
Room & Board
$19,995
Avg Net Price
$37,899
Net price = average after financial aid

Weather

Winter
Moderate
HighLow
January35°20°
April57°40°
July83°65°
October62°44°
Oct/Apr = field hockey season

Location

Setting
Suburban (Suburb: Large)
Nearest City
Boston, MA
Distance
22 miles

Coaching Staff

Name Position Contact Bio
Rachel Perry Head Field Hockey Coach perryra@merrimack.edu View Bio
Christina Hathaway Assistant Field Hockey Coach hathawayc@merrimack.edu View Bio

Roster Breakdown

23 players

Geographic Recruiting

In-State: 30% (7 players)
US Out-of-State: 65% (15 players)
International: 4% (1 player)
Massachusetts: 30% (7 players)
Connecticut: 17% (4 players)

Position Breakdown

Forward: 4 (17.4%)
Forward/Midfielder: 7 (30.4%)
Midfielder: 8 (34.8%)
Defender: 1 (4.3%)
Goalkeeper: 3 (13.0%)

Class Year Distribution

Freshman: 7 (30.4%)
Sophomore: 7 (30.4%)
Junior: 5 (21.7%)
Senior: 4 (17.4%)

Full Roster (23 players)

# Name Position Year Height Hometown High School
1 Maddy Cherry B/M Jr. 5-6 Salem, N.J. Ursuline Academy
2 Ciara Ryan F Sr. 5-4 Brentwood, N.H. Governor's Academy
3 Madeline Harrington F/M Fr. 5-3 Dracut, Mass. Bishop Guertin
4 Erin Cottam F/M So. 5-2 Easton, Mass. Oliver Ames High School
5 Gianna Cioni F So. 5-2 Washington, N.J. Warren Hills Regional
6 Ayla Hallock B/M So. 5-4 Ashland, Mass. Ashland High School
7 Amaya Smith M Fr. 5-4 Easton, Mass. Oliver Ames High School
8 Darla Mahoney M/F Jr. 5-4 Portsmouth N.H., MA Portsmouth High School / Central Michigan University
9 Jade Shabo M Jr. 5-6 Narragansett, R.I. North Kingston
10 Gracie Lloyd M Fr. 5-8 Salem, Conn. East Lyme High School
11 Kaitlyn Welsh M/B Jr. 5-8 Glastonbury, Conn. Glastonbury High School / Suffield Academy
12 Paige Degeorge F Sr. 5-4 Saco, Maine Brewster Academy
13 Emily Beichert F/M So. 5-9 Kingston, N.Y. Kingston High School
15 Whitney Dacko M So. 5-8 Walpole, Mass. Tabor Academy
16 Zoe Gitlin B So. 5-5 Ridgefield, Conn. Ridgefield High School
17 Parker Parker M/B Jr. 5-7 Lewis Center, Ohio Olentangy High School
18 Izzy Breslin F So. 5-0 Norfolk, Va. Norview High School
19 Reilly Desmond F/M Fr. 5-2 Stafford, Va. Brookpoint
22 Delaney Weiler F/M Fr. 5-7 San Jose, Calif. Archbishop Mitty High School
25 Madeline Wagner F/M Fr. 5-8 Winthrop, Maine / -
29 Abigail Boudreau GK Sr. 5-1 Wakefield, Mass. Wakefield Memorial High School / Lasell University
30 Isabelle Gardiner GK Sr. 6-0 Hertfordshire, UK Presdales
31 Kayla Whitters GK Fr. 5-7 New Fairfield, Conn. New Fairfield High School