Few student-athletes can claim to have started every game in which
they appeared, but that is exactly what Jessica Skolnikoff did in
not just one sport, but two, over a 113-game career in the 1980s as
a defender on both The College of Wooster’s field hockey and
women’s lacrosse teams.
Skolnikoff, or “Skol” as her teammates called her, was an integral part of the lacrosse program, starting 35 games during her three years with the Scotties, interrupted one season when she joined the club softball team. She helped lead the laxers to second-place in the North Coast Athletic Conference as a sophomore, and as a senior, garnered honorable mention on the All-NCAC Team, but it would be her exceptional play on the field hockey pitch that would cement her place in Wooster history.
As a freshman in 1985, Skolnikoff won the starting center halfback position on an experienced squad that was coming off back-to-back NCAA Div. III Tournament appearances. That year, the Scotties would go 14-6-1, posting eight shutouts and allowing less than one goal a game (20 total) en route to a third consecutive trip to the NCAA’s. Skolnikoff, who was named an all-NCAC honorable mention selection, helped the team reach new heights, as Wooster upended the State University of New York at Cortland 1-0 in a flick-off, marking the program’s first and only NCAA tourney win to date.
Skolnikoff would take her game to a higher level during her sophomore campaign, as she made the All-NCAC First Team for her outstanding defensive efforts. The Scotties went 13-6 overall and were NCAC co-champions with Denison University, while raising their shutout total from the year prior to 10. Additionally, their scoring defense stayed at less than a goal per outing (18 total) and they made the NCAA Tournament once again.
“I was lucky to be on some very successful teams,” recalled Skolnikoff. “Going to nationals my first and second years are clearly memorable. But it’s not just about the wins and losses, it was being challenged in my sport and the people that I played with that I remember most.”
During the next two seasons, Skolnikoff took on two new roles. She switched positions, moving from the midfield to the “link” position, where defending the opponent’s top scoring threat would become her primary focus. Wooster also placed her into a leadership role as she was elected one of the team captains. Skolnikoff embraced the changes and went on to collect two more first-team all-NCAC certificates.
Statistically, Skolnikoff chipped in a career-high three assists and the defense produced six shutouts in 1987, while her senior season saw her contribute three more assists while anchoring a backfield that notched seven shutouts. For her efforts the latter year, Skolnikoff picked up one additional honor by being named second-team all-Great Lakes Region by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.
Overall, with Skolnikoff patrolling the back row, the Scotties shutout approximately 40 percent (31 of 78) of their opponents. She was eventually selected to the NCAC All-Decade Team (1984-93).
Following graduation, Skolnikoff, who received a bachelor degree in sociology at Wooster, went on to earn a Ph.D. in anthropology at American University in Washington, D.C. She currently lives in Bristol, R.I., where she teaches anthropology at Roger Williams University. Skolnikoff still stays active, sailing, kayaking, biking, and hiking in her spare time.