We are excited to welcome Lilah Kennedy to the Longstreth Athlete Program and OBO Community as our newest OBO Ambassador!
Lilah is a freshman at Queen Anne’s County High School in Centreville, Maryland, and plays club field hockey for the Delaware Sharks. She has been playing field hockey since she was 7 years old and began playing goalie during her early rec program days.
Get To Know The Goalie:
What stick do you play with?
I play with an OBO Straight As because I like the sturdiness of the stick that lets me have strong sweep saves and stick clears.
What pads/helmet do you choose?
I use the ROBO Hi Rebound Legguards because I feel they help me have more coverage over the goal and they allow me to move freely. I use the OBO Robo Plus Kickers because I like the flat toe that lets me make stronger toe clears if necessary and if I have to stretch to reach the ball it's just a quick toe tap to clear the ball out. However, I did not choose my helmet, it chose me. I have the same helmet I started with, the TK Total Three.
How long have you been playing field hockey?
I have been playing field hockey since I was 7 years old. When I was little on the rec team we didn't have an assigned goalie we all took turns. I loved playing the position and my head coach told my parents I should continue to play as goalie.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
My pre-game ritual is first, right before we step out onto the field,I give my team a pep-talk. Then when I'm walking onto the field, when I reach the circle I pray to God as I make my way to the goal. After my prayer I hit the top of the goal, the right side, the left side, then I turn towards the field, my back facing the goal and I reach my hand up and hit the goal again.
What’s your go-to pre-game meal?
My go-to pre-game meal is rice, ground beef, and cheese and of course Golden Cherry liquid IV to wash it down.
Go-to game day hairstyle?
My go-to game day hairstyle is a high ponytail braided into two braids. I like to pull my braids through the top of my helmet!
Favorite music or songs to listen to before a game?
A few hype songs I listen to religiously before games are Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill, Watch This by Lil Uzi Vert, Overseas by Ken Carson, and Bestie by DaBaby.
Describe your playing style in 3 words.
If I were to describe my playing style in three words, I would say communicative, assertive, and supportive.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not playing field hockey?
When I'm not playing field hockey I love to read and draw, go to the gym, hangout with my friends, and when the weather is right I love the beach!
Any game day superstitions?
The only game day superstition I have is that I always wear my Chili Pepper HocSocx for games.
Favorite motivational quote?
One of my favorite quotes is by Jon Sinclaire that says, “Failure is a bruise, not a tattoo.” If we never fail we will never learn. We have to fail to succeed.
What are you looking forward to most for the upcoming season?
For my upcoming highschool season I am looking forward to having more competition.
Name a favorite field hockey memory.
My favorite field hockey memory is when I was 12 years old I was asked to play up for one of my clubs u19 teams at WCU for a tournament. During the tournament we had to go into shootouts. That was my first time ever doing a shootout. We won tournament champions and we got t-shirts instead of medals, which I had all the girls on the team sign and I still have the shirt!
