BY MAT CLOUSER
BRANDON — This year’s OV field hockey team is a special bunch. A blend of veteran leadership and youthful enthusiasm that’s had to jell quickly—they lost six seniors from last year’s team—but jell they have.
Saturday’s 2-1 overtime victory, in a game where they trailed Fair Haven for three quarters, brought the team’s record to 10-4 and sends them into the playoffs brimming with confidence.
Not bad for a team that boasts seven freshmen out of its sixteen roster spots.
Head coach Jodie Keith described last year’s outgoing seniors as being strong players and leaders but said that this year’s seniors, Abigail Adamsen, Sydney Gallo, Ryleigh Laporte, Mackenzie McKay, and Casey Sue Thompson, have each played critical roles in helping mentor and develop their younger teammates an addition to playing excellently themselves.
“At the beginning of the season, there was a noticeable difference in skill level, but the younger players have worked really hard this season,” said Keith.
“[Early on], I would have said that being mentally tough was our weakness,” Keith continued, “We talk about this a lot, I think these girls have really adjusted their mindset and can now overcome situations that may not be going the way they hoped. [Saturday’s] game really showed that.”
Keith describes the team as tight-knit and often says she finds them huddled together, talking and laughing before she arrives at practice. “They are a great group of kids; they work as a team, support each other, and really enjoy playing together,” said Keith, who describes the team’s best strength as its determination.
The team knows that playoff success won’t come easy, and they have lost in the quarterfinals each of the past two years. And yet, after Saturday’s come-from-behind win and a 7-0 shellacking of Windsor in their game before that, Keith says the energy on the team is high despite the overall strength of teams in D-II field hockey this year.
SENIOR TEAM MEMBERS, from left: #27 Casey Sue Thompson, #6 Sydney Gallo, #34 Mackenzie McKay, #24 Ryleigh Laporte, #19 Abigail Adamsen.
“It could be argued that [D-II] is possibly the toughest division in field hockey this year,” said Keith. “Woodstock, Hartford, Spaulding, and U32 have played very well this season, but… if we play our best game, we are as strong as they are.”
Keith had great things to say about a number of players on the roster who’ve contributed to the team’s success—players like junior goalie Lily Morgan who’s been in net since her freshman season, and defenders like junior Elizabeth Atherton and sophomore Matelin Laporte whom Keith says have helped lead the defense this year.
Even the freshmen starters Marissa Dick, Breanna Bovey, and Micheala Hobbs have made huge contributions, making the jump from middle school to high school varsity look easy. “The speed of the game, the physicality of the play, and skill level are very different, but these three were up to the challenge and quickly adapted to the Varsity level,” said Keith.
Of course, none of that would have mattered much without the sagacity and strong play of the team’s five senior stars, each of whom has contributed up and down the field, contributions that Keith knows all too well, as she wrote about each of them prior to their 7-0 victory of Windsor on October 19—which just so happened to be senior night.
Here is what Keith had to say:
Abigail Adamsen
“Abi began her field hockey career as a forward in middle school but was moved to defense when she joined the varsity team. Not only did her position change, but we also changed the formation of players on the field during her sophomore year, and Abi began playing sweeper.
“She took the change in stride and was 100% confident being the last defensive player on the field in front of the goalie.
“Abi is a very positive player and is always smiling, but is very serious at game time. She has worked tirelessly to improve her field hockey skills over the last four years. Her confidence when approaching the opposing team to make a tackle has improved exponentially since the first year she played on varsity. Her drives and strong clears out of the circle have definitely had an impact on the outcome of games this year.”
Sydney Gallo
“Sydney was a little bit of a late bloomer when it comes to field hockey. She began playing in ninth grade. When I first saw her play, I was shocked that she had never played before. She is a natural athlete and has provided stability for our team as a midfielder. She was voted as captain this year and has been a wonderful leader for this team.
“Sydney has a positive attitude, always works hard, and never gives up even when things are not going our way. Numerous times I have heard Sydney reminding her teammates that they are in this together, win or lose; they are a team and need to support one another.
“We have a young team, and I tasked the captains with keeping an open mind, being patient with the younger players, and mentoring them throughout this season. Sydney has embraced her role as a captain and really provided that support for the younger players. “
Ryleigh Laporte
“Ryleigh has been an offensive threat for Otter Valley since she joined the Varsity team as a freshman. She has incredible speed and an eye for the open field. Multiple times throughout our season, she has received the ball from the defense and carried it the entire length of the field, dodging the defense and putting pressure on the goalie.
“Ryleigh has played multiple positions throughout her four years on Varsity, but I think she truly shines as a forward.
“As a team captain, she leads by example. She never expects something from her teammates that she does not expect from herself. She pushes herself to improve at every practice, gives 110% effort in every game, and reflects on where she can make improvements.
“Her aggressiveness on the field and drive to win are something that cannot be taught; it is just part of who she is.”
Mackenzie McKay
“Mackenzie has played field hockey at Otter Valley since the seventh grade and was voted captain by her team this season. She has earned the respect of her peers by working hard and setting high standards for the team this season.
“Mackenzie has shown tremendous growth from her 11th-grade season to her senior season. Her ability to carry the ball down the right side of the field while being pressured by the defense has had a huge impact on our offense this season. Her hard drives across the circle have also created huge scoring opportunities for her teammates.
“One of the reasons she has become a successful field hockey player is because she is a very coachable athlete. She is able to accept the feedback given to her, adjust her skills and increase her knowledge of the game.”
Casey Sue Thompson
“Casey Sue is a versatile player and has played multiple positions each season on varsity. She typically plays sweeper or halfback but has spent a fair amount of time at midfield and has even seen some time as a forward. I think the only position she has not played is goalie.
“Her unselfishness and willingness to do what is best for the team are what makes Casey Sue such a special player.
“Casey Sue tends to be quiet and pretty reserved off the field, but when she steps onto the field, you can see that she is very competitive and will give everything she has to help her team win.
“As a sweeper, you often feel a lot of pressure when the offense is approaching, and you are the only person left on defense besides the goalie.
“The pressure never seems to get to Casey Sue; she stays calm and poised in those situations and has been a great role model for her younger teammates.”
