'It's impressive to watch': Tori Swanson's career continues to blossom for the Gulls

BEVERLY, Mass. — Tori Swanson has been keeping the research department busy as of late.

Just nine games into the 2025 season, the senior forward from Farmington, Connecticut, has broken two program scoring records, in storybook fashion no less, and ascended some noteworthy NCAA Division III career leaderboards, too.

The first chapter of Swanson's 2025 fairy-tale novel was written on Saturday, September 13, when she scored the second goal in a 10-0 rout of rival UNE at home, becoming the program's all-time leading goal scorer.

Swanson entered the annual must-watch contest versus the Nor'easters in a deadlock for the record with Emily Sawchuck, whose career mark of 63 career goals stood tall since 2014.

Five games later, Swanson topped that feat with a goal for the ages.

On Sunday, September 28, Swanson buried her 14th career game-winning goal against seven-time defending NCAA Division III national champion and top-ranked Middlebury in overtime to lift the Gulls to a 2-1 home victory. (talk about magic at North Field this year, right?)

The tally bumped Swanson's career points total to 155 (70 goals, 15 assists), pushing her past Sawchuck (153 points, 63 goals, 27 assists), again, on another all-time leaderboard.

Equally as significant, Swanson's goal also ended Middlebury's 60-game non-conference unbeaten streak, which dated back to the 2017 season, and gave the Endicott field hockey program its first win ever against a No. 1 nationally ranked opponent.

Swanson isn't just rewriting the Endicott record books, as her name is featured all over the NCAA Division III active career stats leaders page as well. 

She enters Wednesday's non-conference road matchup against Keene State (6:30 PM) ranked first in total goals across all three NCAA Divisions with 70 markers.

Swanson is ranked first in D3 in goals per game (1.11, tied first all-time at EC) and points per game (2.46, 2nd all-time at EC), and third in total points behind Roger Williams' Chelsea King (165) and Keene State's Grace Bazin (159).

The senior forward currently holds a one-goal advantage over King and a three-goal lead on Bazin in the total goals standings (67 each).

As for this season, Swanson (9g, 4a, 22p) ranks No. 17 in goals per game (1.00) and No. 19 in points per game (2.44) in D3. 

The Gulls, thanks in part to Swanson's play, rank No. 1 in goals per game (5.22), No. 2 in points per game (13.44), and No. 3 in assists per game (3.00).

Milestone Madness

Now, here's where the research gets a little more fun.

With everything that's been tracked about Swanson's 2025 season thus far, it makes circling back to her junior year campaign that much more important.

Swanson's penultimate season featured a stat line of 29 goals and five assists for 63 points in 18 games played. Her 29 goals and 63 points rank first (tied) and second in a single season.

She also led all of NCAA Division III in points per game (3.50) and goals per game (1.61), becoming the program's first-ever NCAA Statistical champion, while setting school records in both categories.

More importantly, after some further research this year, Swanson is the only student-athlete ever in Endicott Athletics history (male or female) to be named an NCAA Division III statistical champion for goals per game and points per game in their sport.

That dates back to 1993, the first year of NCAA D3 varsity athletics at the College.

Let that sink in.

It remains to be seen if Swanson can chase down any other single-season records this fall, but the reverse stickhandler by trade sits five goals away from tying Sawchuck for the career game-winning goals record (19) with 10 games left on the schedule, not counting playoffs.

What Makes Swanson Such A Scoring Threat?

Enough about the stats (for now).

What do her teammates who play against her every day think?

"Coming in as a freshman last year, Tori was a player who immediately stood out to me. She is someone who challenges me during every practice, but is also so fun to watch during games. Her skill pushes me each day in practice, and her ability to switch from lefty to righty is something I have never seen as a goalie, and is something so impressive to watch," said sophomore goalkeeper Faith Minickene, a fellow Connecticut native from Madison.

Minickene continued, elaborating further on what makes Swanson great.

"Tori was able to achieve this goal-scoring record because she never gives up on a play and won't stop until the ball is in the back of the net. Her dedication and hard work are something so admirable to an underclassman, and it's such a privilege to be able to compete with the best during practice."

Fellow position-mate Alexis DeMattia offered up a more technical opinion.

"Tori is so precise and quick with the ball that her shots are dangerous from every angle," said the senior from Methuen, Mass. "She knows exactly where to place the ball, especially when you are not expecting it."

Much like her game-winner against Middlebury, which seemed to surprise everyone but Swanson [watch on Instagram], when she sniped a shot five-hole that left the Panthers' goalkeeper in dismay, and immediately sent the Gulls into a victorious frenzy. 

However, Swanson's goal-scoring savvy is best consumed by watching, rather than telling, so here are some of her best goals to date.

What can't be seen in the above highlight reel, or scouting report for that matter, is what Swanson brings to the table in other areas.

Academically, Swanson has compiled several Conference of New England (CNE) Academic All-Conference awards, and multiple National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Scholar of Distinction accolades, during her time at The Nest.

The sport management major boasts an impressive 3.90 cumulative grade point average (GPA), all while completing internships at UConn (business services) and the Hartford Athletic (finance department).

Swanson also has given back her time to the community at Endicott, volunteering for the College's Best Buddies Club and the Jimmy Fund.

Gulls' head coach Jodi Cipolla summed up Swanson's impact the best, of course. The 20-plus-year coaching veteran knows a thing or two about what makes a standout student-athlete a complete person.

"Tori's statline is incredible and very impressive, but not nearly as impressive as who she is as a teammate and as a person. She has worked so hard to become the player she is. Last season, she played with an injury that would have sidelined many, but she persevered. She had surgery in the offseason and came back even stronger and faster this fall," stated Cipolla. "Tori is so fun to coach. She is a unique player, as a lefty, she is lightning quick over ball and super deceptive. She also accepts challenge, she pushes so hard to be better everyday for her teammates. Tori holds herself to a very high standard and works so hard every day to elevate her game. She never passes up the opportunity to credit her teammates for her success, and she takes such pride in this team."

Some Stats For The Road

Swanson certainly hasn't broken the program goals record alone. She'd be the first to tell you that.

Here's a breakdown of who has assisted on the senior's tallies throughout her career (as of 9/30/25).

The Gulls, winners of eight straight heading into tonight's game against Keene State, sit at 8-1 overall and 3-0 in CNE Play.

Conference playoffs begin on Saturday, November 1.

Endicott has advanced to the CNE Semifinals in 13 straight seasons, and look to continue that streak with Swanson leading the way.

For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

(Photo Credit - David Le '10)

(semester-long intern Jake Schumer '25 made significant research contributions to this feature story)