Thrilled to welcome Abby Escudero to the Longstreth Athlete Program as our newest OBO Brand Ambassador!
Abby is a freshman at Pope John Paul II High School (Royersford, PA). She plays club for X-Calibur and is also a member of the Puerto Rico National Women’s Field Hockey Team.
Fun Facts:
What stick do you use, and why do you choose it?
I use the OBO Fatboy. I like the mass of the stick as it helps me feel more in control and stronger in my movements whenever I’m making a save or clearing a ball.
What leg guards, kickers, and helmet do you use and why did you choose them ?
I use the ROBO HI Rebound leg guards because they help me cover more area without being too disruptive to my play. Additionally, they are very smooth while diving on the floor. For my kickers, I really like the ROBO Plus Kickers, especially since the flat toe has helped me make many last-minute saves and keep the ball on the ground!
How long have you been playing field hockey, and what made you first want to start playing goalkeeper?
I’ve been playing field hockey since I was seven years old, and I first gained an interest in the sport when my sister decided to try out for her school team. I had tried other sports before field hockey, but none of them really stuck out to me. I originally wanted to be a field player, starting out at X-Calibur’s academy. However, I quickly realized that being a player did not interest me in the slightest. Wanting to give the sport another chance before letting it go, I decided to try being a goalie, and immediately fell in love with the position.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Before each game, I like to hum a song that has been stuck in my head, deeming it my “lucky song” for the upcoming game. Additionally, before the match begins and everyone is standing on the field, I shuffle around my angles on the cage, starting at the right post and going up to the stroke line before dropping back to my left post. I find that this helps me map out my location better and get me in a game-ready mindset.
What’s your go-to pre-game meal?
Before games, my dad drives me to Wawa to get a sizzli, either a bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel or croissant, or a waffle with sausage. To wash it down, I like to have some orange juice, my favorite breakfast beverage.
What is your go-to game day hairstyle?
I like to experiment with hairstyles to wear under my helmet, enjoying discovering which ones stay put the best and which ones look the best. So far, my favorites have been two pigtails pulled back into braids or space buns, but a low ponytail with two braids is always reliable as well!
Favorite pump-up song(s) to listen to before a game?
As odd as it may sound, to really get myself in a game-ready mindset, I like to listen to classical music before games. I find that the increasing intensity of many songs, such as Swan Lake (Scene 1), Requiem: K. 626: Lacrimosa, and Romeo and Juliet: Suite No.2, helps me get in an intense mental space for the game.
Describe your playing style in three words?
Intense, loud, and commanding
What do you like to do when you’re not playing field hockey?
Whenever I’m not on the field, I like to sew, play with my pet bunny Pinto, hang out with
my sisters, or watch whatever TV show I happen to be binging at home.
Do you have any game day superstitions?
My game day superstition would be trying to pick a good song to have stuck in my head during a game, deeming it lucky if I made a good save or unlucky if a ball gets past me.
What’s your favorite motivational quote?
I do not have a favorite quote, but one that I do enjoy is, “The person who says it cannot be done, should not interrupt the person who is busy doing it.” I like the meaning behind this quote, as it shows one should not become discouraged by the critiques of others and continue to do what they know best.
What are you looking forward to most in the upcoming season?
In this upcoming season, I am most excited to compete in games that are a higher intensity and overall level than the previous age groups, as I believe U16 is when everyone begins to play their best at their highest effort.
What is your favorite field hockey memory?
My favorite field hockey memory is probably my first ever stroke. I was in U10 and was not even aware that strokes were even a thing at the ome, simply letting the referee guide me to where I had to stand and pretending as if I knew what I was doing. The girl was talented and took a shot to the right side, barely above the backboard. I don’t actually remember the moment I saved the ball nor the lunge I took, but I do remember my team excitedly congratulating me after I saw the ball rebound off the hook of my sock. I was very proud of myself, going home and bragging to my sister that I saved my first ever stroke.
