Hobart and William Smith Colleges Athletics

One of the very best players in the history of William Smith lacrosse and field hockey, Karen Salemo Van Arsdale ’88 is the first Heron lacrosse player to earn first team All-America honors and the first to repeat as a first team All-American. She was also the first Heron selected to compete in the North-South Senior All-Star Game.
During her four years, William Smith field hockey went 49-23-1 and William Smith lacrosse was 44-16. Salemo Van Arsdale played in three NCAA tournaments (2 lacrosse, 1 field hockey), advancing to the national championship for both sports during her senior year. She helped the Herons win the 1985 ECAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship and place second in the 1985 ECAC Mid-Atlantic Field Hockey Championship. Additionally, she led William Smith to the 1988 New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association Lacrosse Championship.

A defender in lacrosse, Salemo Van Arsdale registered 63 career points on 47 goals and 16 assists in 60 games. As a first-year, she scored nine times as the Herons won the ECAC regional championship. The following season, the Herons went 10-3 and finished third at the state championship as Salemo Van Arsdale finished the year with two goals and two assists. In her junior year, she led a stingy defense that limited opponents to an average of just 7.0 goals per game. She also dialed up her offensive contribution, producing 25 points on 18 goals and seven assists. William Smith reached the national semifinals and Salemo Van Arsdale was recognized with IWLCA first team All-American honors. With Salemo Van Arsdale serving as a team captain 1988, the Herons won a then program record 15 games and advanced to the national championship game for the first time. That year’s defense limited foes to just 7.33 goals per game and Salemo Van Arsdale repeated her 25 point performance and first team All-American accolades.

A field hockey midfielder, Salemo Van Arsdale recorded 16 goals and 17 assists for 49 points in 73 career matches. She produced a career-high 15 points (4-7) as a sophomore. During the team’s run to the 1987 national championship game, she contributed 13 points (4-5). Salemo Van Arsdale was a two-time All-NYSWCAA selection, earning a spot on the 1987 NYSWCAA All-Tournament team and 1987 All-Region honorable mention. She graduated third in career assists, tied for third in career points and tied for fifth in career goals.

In additional to her athletic pursuits, Salemo Van Arsdale also served as vice president of William Smith Congress during her senior year. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1988.