PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Former Setter Lesly Sanchez Alvarez '18, made an immediate impact on the Pleasantville turf as one of the first student-athletes to play for the Pace University field hockey program. The field hockey goalkeeper showcased her exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to Pace's athletic success as well as her academic excellence.
On Oct. 22, 2023, Sanchez Alvarez will be enshrined in the Pace University Athletics Hall of Fame, presented by Northwell Health, along with an elite group of all-female inductees. She is the first member of the field hockey program to be inducted.
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Brunch will take place on Homecoming Weekend for the Setters and includes recognition at the Homecoming football game against Southern Connecticut State University at Northwell Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 21 and the Induction Ceremony and Brunch on Sunday, Oct. 22 at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, N.Y.
Among her athletic and academic accomplishments with the Blue and Gold, Sanchez Alvarez was the Pace University nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year in 2018 as well as the 2017 NE10 Goalkeeper of the Year. She graduated with a 3.93 grade-point average with a degree in biology and was the 2018 Pace University Co-Female Athlete of the Year.
The Connecticut native led the NE10 with an .830 save percentage and a 0.88 goals-against average, both of which ranked second nationally. She was selected as both a Synapse and Longstreth/NFHCA Second Team All-American, as well as an NE10 All-Conference first teamer. She finished her Pace career with a program-record 259 career saves. Sanchez Alvarez posted 11 shutouts in total for the Blue and Gold.
Academically, she was twice named a Zag Field Hockey/NFHCA Scholar of Distinction (2017, 2018) and was a two-time Zag Field Hockey/NFHCA DII National Academic Squad honoree. Sanchez Alvarez was also a 2017 CoSIDA (now College Sports Communicators) Academic All-America At-Large Third Team.
As a senior in 2017, she was also chosen for the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) DII senior Game. She was the two-time NE10 Goalkeeper of the Week and was named to the NE10 Weekly honor roll five times. She totaled 83 saves, only allowing 17 goals. She registered eight shutouts. The Blue and Gold finished at 15-4 her senior campaign.
In 2016, Sanchez Alverez started all 18 games and racked up 97 saves for a 0.770 save percentage. She was the first varsity goalkeeper for Pace, making 15 starts in the inaugural year of field hockey, 2015. She posted a 1.95 goals-against average with one shutout. She made 79 saves for a 0.718 save percentage. The team went 6-12 that first season. Additionally, Sanchez Alvarez played for the fledgling women's lacrosse team in 2015.
This year's Hall of Fame is the 20th enshrined class. It is an all-female one, celebrating the long tradition of standout women student-athletes on the heels of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX. In addition to Sanchez Alvarez, the Class of 2023 includes Carrie Seymour, long time women's basketball coach; Marta Anderson-Winchell '06, representing women's soccer and women's basketball and Shea Hansen '11, women's volleyball.
The Peter X. Finnerty Leadership Award will be presented to women's basketball alumni Elizabeth Hernandez '83. She was inducted into the Pace Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
The Pace Athletics Hall of Fame began in 1997.
For more information on the Pace University Athletics Hall of Fame Induction, click here.
