Led by six seniors and guided by coaches Trish Austin '01 and Kate Austin '01, the Varsity Field Hockey team has navigated a 2024 season defined by close contests and razor-thin margins, with six games decided by a single goal. Despite challenging moments, the team's mix of veteran leadership and young talent has shown remarkable resilience. The team looks to build on recent momentum as they face Holderness this weekend in their final contest of the season. Read more in this week's Team Spotlight below!
Head Coach, Kate Austin, Reflects on the Season
This season has been full of ups and downs, however our group of student-athletes has remained unwavering in their attitudes and efforts. Our field hockey family consistently demonstrates resilience, day in and day out. We have navigated a heartbreaking start of a school year full of both loss and joy. This team, day in and day out, continued to support one another both on and off the field. Every practice, our players show up ready to learn, grow, and refine their stick skills in preparation for each opponent.
Just yesterday, Trish and I reflected on how much our players' stick skills have improved. Every single athlete has made significant strides this season. Whether it's the confidence to try a new sport and start on the team, holding the defense end together with grit and composure, or transitioning from the backfield to the offensive end to score goals, we owe all our success to each individual player all of which bring their own unique skill set to the collective.
Our leadership has been instrumental in shaping this season. Captains Jane and Molly, both four-year players, bring consistency to our practices, engagement, and care for one another, both on and off the field. Seniors Whistler, Eiley, Reese, and Cate have all shown remarkable qualities that have helped strengthen our team. Their contributions, whether on the field, in the locker room, or within the Proctor community, have been invaluable. However, our leadership is not just about the seniors. It is instilled in each of the players.
Season highlights include Molly’s penalty shot goal, VT's overtime goal, and Hannah’s clutch goal against Brewster to get us on the board. But perhaps more importantly, every game has been a testament to the tireless effort of this team. Despite the final scores, their fight to the end is something we hold dear. We are proud of their commitment, and so are their families! As we look ahead to tomorrow's game against Holderness, we are optimistic, but more importantly, we are so very proud of this team. It's not easy to have a season like this and still finish strong, but this group of athletes is unlike any other. We are grateful they chose to be a part of this journey this year.
Team Captain Reflections - Jane ‘25 and Molly ‘25
What is your favorite part about the Girls Varsity Field Hockey team at Proctor?
Jane: The best part about the Field Hockey team is the culture. Our field hockey family isn't something that just happens on the field. It starts every morning in the dorms, in the dining hall, between classes, and in every moment in between. The field hockey team is a very intentional community deeply rooted in our beloved coaches, Kate and Trish Austin, who put our family first, every day. Therefore, we learn from the best.
Molly: My favorite part about field hockey is our team. Yes, playing the sport is super fun and I take advantage of every time I get a chance to practice or play out of the field, but it is the people that make the game so special. This is my family at school that I get to see everyday rain or shine. I have been gifted this group of people as my field hockey family which is why we say family after every huddle break, to remind us who we play for and who we have been able to create a family with them. The FH family is very close-knit and, in my opinion, one of the most supportive and caring groups in the entire school. No matter what, someone on the team will be there for you, whether it is help with classes or help with personal matters. I'm extremely lucky to be a part of this family.
How have you seen your team evolve and grow over the course of the season? How have you stayed together through challenges?
Jane: Patience is key. Our team had many new players this year, and learning how to play together was a long journey. Through tying, we learned that scoring one goal is not enough, and we must all work together to have that ball cross over the white line into the goal. We have stayed together by keeping our heads high, coming to practice every day with a smile, and holding each other up and accountable.
Molly: The team has grown so much since the start of the season. There were people on our team who had never touched a field hockey stick before this year and are now starting. Every day at practice, our team brings everything they have, which has largely contributed to our success in games. We had a rough start to the season, playing teams who had a lot more time practicing and may have known each other for a couple of years. This was our first test as a team, and instead of letting our heads hang, we got to work. Our family worked every day and extra to compete with the high level of play we were facing. Even when we tied games we felt we should have won gave us more motivation to work harder. So going into the last game of our season, we are taking this lesson with us.
How, as captains, have you sought to create a good culture on the team?
Jane: The six seniors have a special bond we hope to transmit to the underclassmen. As we come into the locker room, we make sure to ask everyone how their day is going and truly listen to one another. Reese, Molly, Whis, Cate, Eiley, and I are the closest of friends through field hockey and we hope others can recreate this unbreakable friendship. While this is said, our group of seniors and captains make sure to spread ourselves out among the team, making sure we are passing with someone new every day and sharing our knowledge through different parts of practice. As captains, Molly and I have fallen in love with the sport, and by showing this, we believe that it can reflect on others.
Molly: As a captain, I strive to try to create a culture by making everyone feel like they are a voice and welcome on our team. Our team does a really good job of making it so theres no divide between grades and returners or not and just having a community where everyone gets along. I make sure that if any problems arise, we deal with them efficiently and effectively. We make such an inclusive team by making sure we become friends with every person.
What are you most looking forward to during these last two games of the season, especially Holderness Day?
Jane: TO ROAST THE BULLS!
While defeating Holderness just this last Friday, the game is still a toss-up. Holderness is quick and has some strong players, but can their family match ours?
The answer is no, but the game will still be a good one!
Molly: I'm super excited for Holderness Day to get to show off our amazing family to the rest of the school. It is bittersweet because this is my last field hockey game at Proctor Academy, so I'm looking forward to everything this game has to offer. I'm looking forward to getting to play with this group of people on Saturday, I'm looking forward to dancing in the locker room with the team before.
I'm looking forward to being with my family for one more game. And I am most looking forward to beating Holderness with my team.
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