Most field hockey journeys begin with a stick in hand almost from birth. Mine, however, is just a little bit different.
Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, I grew up having no idea what field hockey was – let alone ever imagining I’d play it. After living in New Orleans for the first eight years of my life, my family relocated to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Starting at a new school in an unfamiliar area is scary, and at first, I had little to no friends. But one day, a few girls in my second-grade class invited me to come to field hockey practice after school. I was hesitant and nervous at first because I didn't even know what the sport was, let alone how to play it. Still, I decided to go – and I am so glad I did. From that moment on, I never missed a practice
I fell in love with everything about the game, from the team dynamics to learning all the different shots. After a few years on the middle school team, I was invited to attend a club practice with Saints Field Hockey. I showed up with a stick in one hand and a water bottle in the other. I fell in love with the club immediately, signed up the next day, and have been playing with Saints ever since.
Everything about Saints – from the amazing coaches to the newfound family I found in my teammates – just clicked. After two years of learning corner plays, passing sequences, and indoor field hockey with the team, we took a trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania for the National Indoor Tournament.
About 30 minutes before we were scheduled to take the court, panic fell over our team: we didn’t have a goalie. Instantly, I felt drawn to step in. Without a second thought, I raised my hand to volunteer. I put on the pads, and the coaches and older goalies quickly taught me the surface-level basics. The next thing I knew, I was stepping out onto the court to play a position I had never tried before.
From that moment on, I’ve been a goalie.
At first, the thought of deliberately stepping in front of a hard ball was nerve-wracking. But once I realized my team needed me – and that I was the one responsible for protecting the cage – I fell in love with the position.
The incredible support from my coaches, teammates, and parents made the transition so much easier. While I may have worried my mom and dad at first, they were built to be goalie parents and have been amazing every step of the way. My coaches at Saints have helped me grow tremendously, and I am constantly striving to become better. I truly can’t imagine what my life would look like without field hockey, or without being a goalie.
Picking up a stick for the first time in elementary school, attending my first Saints practice, and strapping on those goalie pads for the first time – every single one of these moments was a crucial stepping stone in my journey.
Tune in next week to hear about my high school journey and the other pivotal moments that brought me to where I am today: right here, In the Cage.
