To my field hockey family-
I became a part of this so-called family my freshman year. I just dropped soccer - the sport I had been playing since the first grade. Words cannot describe how nervous I was for that first practice. I have never picked up a field hockey stick before that day, and I didn’t even know what the positions are. After the first week of practice, I was not getting any better at the field positions I have been put on, while the other freshmen have improved. I decided to try goalkeeping, I figured since I was a soccer goalkeeper playing in the cage during a field hockey game would be the same, right? No. the first day the senior and sophomore goalkeepers were completing complex drills, while I was stumbling over the goalie shoes. I remember one of my first drills was 4 offensive varsity players against me. I probably let in over 100 goals that one practice. All I could think of was what the varsity players thought of the not so good freshman.
As the season progressed, I was learning new skills and drills from my great coaches and my teammates. I slowly learned the rules of the game and the do’s and don’t’s of protecting the cage. By the end of my sophomore year, I was the starting goalkeeper for JV, with a season record of 12-3-1. I know JV is not as glamorous as varsity, but with that record, I could not be mad. Next season, I will be competing for the varsity spot against the 3 other goalies (love you guys, but I want that spot!)
First of all, I would like to thank the seniors and juniors of my freshmen year for being the mentors and motivators for the short time I got to play with you. Thank you for the countless rides and makings the hard practices fun.
The sophomores of my freshmen year were the girls who kept me going. I became best friends with most of the girls and continuously talked to them throughout the year. Since my freshmen team was composed of 12 girls, we were thrown in with the JV, where you guys greeted us with open arms. My sophomore year on JV, where we were playing every game side by side, was where we connected. Like our coach, Coach Rebecca Misko said, that extra year we had together, created something special and that is why we played so well that season. I can’t believe next season will be your last season as my teammates. Although we are competing for the limited spots on the field, I could not be more proud of you guys.
And upcoming freshmen, you have no idea what you signed up for. Just like a family we fight, but we love each other anyway. The season is full of ups and downs, and if you play another mountain lakes high school sport, you will never experience the connection and love you feel when you are part of MLFH.
At the end of my freshmen season, field hockey was just a sport and I was just playing it to start my high school experience with some friends. But by the end of my sophomore season, field hockey became my passion and the only thing I look forward to when the upcoming school year starts. I can’t wait to be part of the MLFH team for the next 2 years.
Love, Andie
