Field hockey standouts get one last opportunity to shine
GRAFTON – One last run among the elite.
Many of the MIAA’s top field hockey seniors closed their high school careers with honors on the Grafton High School turf Sunday afternoon, competing in the annual Massachusetts State Field Hockey Coaches Association’s Best of 60 Senior All-Star Games.
Play was even and dynamic across the two games, which featured future Div. I collegiate athletes and 18 players who led their respective schools to the state tournaments’ Final Fours. Team Blue narrowly beat Team Green 3-2 in the first game, before Team Grey and Team Black tied 2-2.
It was relaxed and light-hearted, while also an impressive mix of premier talent.
“I think it’s fun for them to be able to mix it up and play with other players that are standouts on their teams from across the state of Massachusetts,” added Uxbridge coach Kelly Rosborough, who coached Team Green. “And I think it is just a fun, competitive environment, and a good way to end their careers.”
Walpole’s Kate Schneider (Babson commit) scored a goal for Team Blue, playing alongside three-time Div. 1 state champion teammates Kendal Cusack (VCU) and Emily Hagan (Temple lacrosse). Longmeadow’s Molly Henshorn and Giuliana Gauthier also scored in the win, with teammates Marielly Mojca and Ava Bussolari on the team.
Many players got one last run with at least one teammate, actually.
Uxbridge’s superstar seniors Kendall Gilmore (Maryland commit), Amelia Blood (Wake Forest), Julianna Casucci (New Hampshire) and Holy Cross-committed goalie Julia Okenquist (seven saves) impressed for Team Green. Newburyport stars Olivia Wilson (goal) and Riley Lombard (Saint Anselm) joined them, as did Belchertown’s Mya Philpott and Edith Audette (Franklin Pierce commit).
Northampton’s Charlotte Johnson (seven saves) and Avery Koloszyc helped Team Black in the tie, as well as Hingham’s dynamic duo of Colby-commit Ryan Hallisey (defensive save) and Kaitlyn Manning, and Sutton’s Allison DaSilva (assist), Aubrey LaPointe (defensive save), Claire Acocelli and Leah Medeiros.
Andover’s Shannon Paul (Bentley commit) and Avery Pitts stood out for a Team Grey that was loaded with Final Four experience, also featuring Sandwich’s Khloe Schultz and Quinn Jordan, and Frontier’s Macy DeMaio and Ashlie Galenski.
“I’m going to cry,” Pitts said of playing with Paul one more time. “It was just really awesome. Shannon’s going to get to play for the next four years, but I’m not. So it just feels nice to be with her (on the field) one last time.”
“Even though I’m going to still be playing (in college) it’s going to be with different people,” Paul added. “I’m just glad we got one last chance together.”
Watertown speedster Sophia Setouhi (UMass Lowell) scored both goals for Team Grey in transition, while Ipswich All-Scholastic goalie Abbie Allen had eight saves for it. Winchester’s two-time state semifinalist Samantha Gal (Providence commit), Manchester Essex’s Abby Kent (Holy Cross commit) and Attleboro’s Kelsey McCleary (Hockomock League MVP) played for Team Black.
Belmont’s all-time leading scorer Mackenzie Clarke (UConn), Acton-Boxboro’s Sarah Ryan (Leheigh), Canton’s Carolyn Schiavo (Bucknell), and Somerset Berkley’s Addie Finlaw (Stonehill) played for Team Blue. Bishop Feehan’s Jordi Higgins (Bryant) scored for Team Green, while Reading’s Kendall Graves (New Hampshire) made some big plays.
“It’s really great to play with people who hold themselves to such a high standard and love the sport so much, and dedicate so much of their time,” said Franklin’s all-time winningest goalie Devon Barry (seven saves), who split one last win with Westwood’s Moira Kenneally (eight saves) on Team Blue. “It was really fun watching everyone play at such a high level. After yesterday (playing in the Div. 1 state final), too, it was really fun. It was a great way to end the season.”
“It was cool to play with different people, meet some new people,” Paul added. “It was really nice.”
Kent and Allen are longtime opponents in the Cape Ann League, and close friends from club. Kent scored a goal for Team Black over Allen laid out on the ground, and hugged her in the cage when she stood up. Gilmore and Clarke are also friends from club, who laughed with each other during play throughout.
“And that’s what it’s about, right?” Rosborugh said. “Because when are they going to have that experience again? … (They’re) going to have fun at the Div. I level, but the focus is (higher).”
Avery Hadfield (Dover-Sherborn), Blaire Brennan (Lincoln-Sudbury), Cecilia Crosby (Medfield), Ellie Gordon (North Andover), Kennedy Lane (Shrewsbury), Miyana Bahl (Waltham), Lillianna Mitchell (Wachusett), Madeline Leblanc (Beverly), Sarah Defusco (Doherty), Wyley Horner (Algonquin), Maia Tatum (Auburn), Isabella Giannini and Caroline Kelly (Leominster) were other notable local selections.
