Proctor's Varsity Field Hockey team transformed a challenging 0-4 start into a 9-7-1 season that earned a NEPSAC playoff berth. The turnaround centered on defensive discipline – six of the team's nine wins came by a single goal, with goaltenders Christina '26 and Erin '26 anchoring a defense that posted multiple shutouts. The season's arc played out most clearly in three meetings with New Hampton: a 0-4 loss in September, a 2-1 home victory in October, and a 0-2 playoff quarterfinal loss to the team that would go on to claim the NEPSAC Class C championship. That progression captured the growth of a group that refused to be underestimated and never lost faith through early adversity. What captains Hannah Sweatt '26 and Reagan Martens '26 described as defining this team's legacy – grit, togetherness, and showing up for the people around you – showed up in results. Read more from Hannah and Reagan below in this Team Spotlight below.
What defines the 2025 Proctor Field Hockey?
Hannah '26: Underestimated is the first word that comes to mind to describe the 2025 Field Hockey team. I believe this word shaped our season because I'm not sure opponents the first time around took our team all that seriously. That changed once we consistently showed up for each other and believed in ourselves and what, together and individually, we were capable of. Our end-of-season performance proved that belief right, earning a spot in the NEPSAC quarterfinals and showing that we were absolutely a competitive team in this league.
The team started 0-4, then won 7 of your next 9 games and earned a playoff berth. What shifted during that stretch, and how did you maintain belief during those early losses?
Hannah '26: Our team maintained belief throughout the ups and downs of the start of our season, reminding each other every day to do the little things. We reminded each other to make that run for the person next to you, and believe in yourself and your teammates. Defensively, both of our goaltenders had excellent seasons, securing numerous wins for us, along with our stellar backline carrying out balls and consistently working as a unit in several crucial scenarios.
Reagan '26: The start of the season was full of tough-fought games, just overall battles, and it marked us just working hard to find our groove. Though as we began to really find ourselves and work as a cohesive team, we found quick success. I would say our very impressive game against a very talented Groton team was a huge marker of the shift in our season. The game was a part of the first losses, but it truly felt like a win as we played a very strong game, scoring our first goals of the year and just really showcasing our hard work. This really shifted our belief in ourselves, showing others and ourselves what we could do.
I would say our overall team efforts to keep the ball out of the net were unmatched. Our goalie played an immense part in our ability to keep the other team off the scoreboard! Also, our defense did a really solid job of playing overall lockdown aggressive defense to challenge our competition.
You lost to New Hampton 0-4 in September, beat them 2-1 at home in October, then faced them again in the playoff quarterfinals. They went on to win the NEPSAC Class C championship. What did those games reveal about the team?
Hannah '26: Since we were able to play New Hampton three times in the span of our season, it became comfortable knowing that, with some minor adjustments, we had a good sense of what to expect. For most of the season, we matched up well against them, and in the last two games especially, we were able to capitalize on the weaknesses we had identified. At the same time, we were able to integrate all the new ways we had grown stronger as a team throughout the season, and it showed just how much time and attention to detail the team had invested in our development.
Reagan '26: Playing New Hampton three times could have been difficult, but our team did not allow anything to get in the way of our hard work. After our first loss, we really knew what we needed to do, and that was to win. We needed to score, stop them from scoring, and just possess the ball. While they were a very talented team, so was our team, and our team showed dramatic growth from our first game. We grew stronger all over the field, and at our second time facing them, this really showed. Knowing we could compete with them really pushed the team to put in the work. We were hungry for goals and for getting on the scoreboard first, which we were able to do in the second game, having two goals to their one. I think playing New Hampton really showed our growth, not just through the different outcomes each game but through our growth throughout each time we faced them.
What moment captures what this team is about?
Hannah '26: One moment that truly captures what this team is about is our 2-1 win against Austin Prep. After ending regulation tied 1-1, we headed into overtime with total focus. Just a few minutes in, after a smooth transition to switch the field, a pass threaded the needle and found a stick down in the center of the offensive circle, securing the win. This moment stands out because it reflects our team's unity and determination. We worked together, did the small but crucial things right, and stayed focused during a hard-fought, back-and-forth battle. That overtime finish showed exactly who we are: a team that refuses to quit, plays for each other, and finds a way no matter the circumstances.
Reagan '26: Our game against Brooks, our 1-0 win, truly represents what our team is all about. It was a hard-fought win, but it really showed what our team was truly capable of. We worked hard up and down the field, Christina Fossum making huge stops in net time after time, and Hadley scoring a beautiful goal off a corner. This game was very challenging, and it really tested us, but it also really showcased all that we have learned. It was such a huge win for us as Brooks was a very talented team, but we were able to come out on top with our overall teamwork!
As seniors wrapping up your Proctor field hockey careers, what do you hope this team's legacy will be, and what will you carry with you from this experience?
Hannah '26: I'm so grateful for being able to be a part of this team on campus. In the future, I hope this team's legacy is remembered as one of grit, the refusal to be underestimated, togetherness, and a sense of family. From this experience, I will carry with me the relationships I have built with both my teammates and coaches into my future endeavors, the lessons I have been taught about showing up for the people around me, and the drive to push myself and others to be better. The community we created this year is something I will take with me long after I leave campus. Four years ago, I had no clear picture of what my senior season would look like. I never imagined we'd be competing in the quarterfinals, and I didn't even expect to end up at Proctor. Though none of this is what I expected, I wouldn't trade it for anything. The reality of my senior season has been incredible, and I'm grateful I got to share it with this group of people.
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