Girls’ varsity field hockey has always been a force to be reckoned with. Since Deerfield returned to coeducation in 1989, the team has qualified for the post season every year but one. They have amassed six Western New England Titles, and they took home the New England championship trophy in 1992.
Much of this success can be credited to the leadership of Coach Kim Wright, who has been coaching the girls since 1993. Before coming to Deerfield, Dr. Wright held an assistant coaching position at Georgetown University and played Division I field hockey at UMass Amherst for four years. In addition to this impressive resumé, her teaching in the English department has made a name for herself both on and off the field.
Assisting Dr. Wright on the field are Coaches Katie Calhoun and Kristin Veiga. Mrs. Calhoun is in the midst of her third season with the team. Before coming to Deerfield, Mrs. Calhoun and her husband worked at the Hotchkiss School. Aside from her coaching role, she also teaches math.
Ms. Veiga is fresh out of Bowdoin College, where she played on the field hockey team for four years, captaining the team for both her junior and senior year and leading the team to two NCAA championships
Last year, the team continued its winning tradition, making it to the post-season New England tournament once again with a record of 8-7-2, defeating strong teams such as Loomis Chaffee and Greenwich Academy. Unfortunately, they were matched up in the first round to a dominant Hotchkiss team that went on to win the title.
This year, the team has come out hungry for success and has already pulled off impressive wins against Loomis and Taft. Dr. Wright called the Loomis game the best of the season so far.
“Loomis is not a slouchy team. We put it all together and dominated,” said Dr. Wright. The team currently holds a record of 7-4-1, and with only three games left in the regular season, they seem to be well on their way to competing in the post-season tournament for the 19th time in twenty years
While the 2008-2009 team had little senior leadership, that is not the case with this year’s squad. Alex Philie ’10, who captained the team her junior year, and Sam Anderson ’10 have led a deep and talented class of players.
Other seniors this year include Claudia Easton, Eloise McEniry, Emmie Murphy, Lilly Nolan, Caroline Seabolt, Hally Sheldon, and Jeannie Witmer.
With the loss of senior talent in mind, the addition of new talents like freshmen Mettler Growney, Louisa Hanson and Hannah Latham, and sophomores Lilli Gahagan and Maddy Melly, the team is looking to build a young core in preparation for the future.
“I think as long as the team works hard, they will come along… I think we can be a contender every season,” said Dr. Wright
Next, the team is scheduled to face off with Greenwich Academy, whom they beat in a thrilling game last year. The girls will also play Williston at home in their last game before Choate Day.