On Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, four Hatboro-Horsham seniors were recognized at a special news conference for committing to play field hockey at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Emily Braunewell – University of Richmond (Field Hockey)
Major: English
Final list of colleges: Richmond, Wake Forrest, Boston College
Reasons for choosing Richmond: “I chose Richmond for everything. The campus was beautiful – I fell in love with the campus the first day I walked in. The coach, the staff and all the players were exactly who I was looking for – I felt like they were my people. It’s so hard to find a school that’s so strong academically and athletically, and everything just fell into place.”
What was the progression that led you to playing field hockey at the collegiate level? “When I started playing goalie as a freshman, I loved it from the first day I started playing. I started working with a goalie coach who automatically was like, ‘You should play in college.’ From there, it’s always been something I’ve been working towards. It’s just like an automatic thought – I want to play in college.”
Coach Laura Swezey said: “Emily – what a force as a goalie. She’s so agile and smart and is just a great communicator with the defense. We always knew we could count on her in there. All four of them are just a pleasure to coach.”
About Emily:
Favorite food: Grilled Cheese
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite music: “I listen to everything, but I do like country a lot.”
Jenna Cutilli – The College of William & Mary (Field Hockey)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: William & Mary, Lafayette, Lehigh, Providence
Reasons for choosing William & Mary: “First off, I loved the school. I know it’s so cliché to say, ‘Oh, it’s because of the academics,’ but academics really come first. They’re considered a public Ivy in the south, and that drew me too because I’m all for academics. I know the people that go there are people I want to be with and hang out with. Also, the campus is so beautiful. The team is incredible and so is the coach. It seemed wrong to say no to the offer.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate field hockey? “I originally thought I was going to play lacrosse because I was really into it when I was younger, but as the years went on in high school, I started to realize – wow, I really loved the sport (of field hockey), I loved the idea of it, and I loved the people surrounding it, and I really wanted to do this. It just didn’t feel the same as lacrosse. Don’t get me wrong – I love lacrosse too, but my love for field hockey just became greater.”
Coach Laura Swezey says: “Jenna was one of our mainstays on the defensive side of the field. She’s physically strong. On our defensive corners, she sometimes would fly, sometimes would be the post. She’s just a force on the defensive corners and on defense.”
About Jenna:
Favorite food: Stroopwafels
Favorite movie: She’s the Man & Inception
Favorite music: Alternative & Ellie Goulding
Nicole Heinze – Alvernia University (Field Hockey)
Major: Occupational Therapy
Final list of colleges: Alvernia, Elizabethtown, Misericordia
Reasons for choosing Alvernia: “When I went there and met the girls, I just clicked with them. They were all so nice – they made me feel like I was already part of the team. I went there, and I didn’t want to leave. I love the coach as well. Everything about the program is just awesome. The school is gorgeous, and it’s a good distance – it’s not too far.”
What was the progression that led you to playing field hockey at the collegiate level? “I started being a goalie about two years ago, and it was actually those three (Emily Braunewell, Jenna Cutilli and Casey Swezey) who convinced me to play club. From there, the coaches at Mystx really believed in me and said, ‘If you want to play, you can play in college.’ It just went from there. I started e-mailing coaches, and here I am.”
Coach Laura Swezey says: “She’s only been playing goalie for three years, and she’s gotten better every year and will continue to improve. She really had a tough role to fill playing behind an all-state goalie in Emily (Braunewell). Her skills improved being with the varsity. We always knew we could count on her if Em got hurt, and she was very understanding. She was a team player.”
About Nicole:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite movie: “I love Disney Movies. Me and my sister always watch The Little Mermaid together.”
Favorite music: Country
Casey Swezey – Princeton University (Field Hockey)
Major: Biology
Final list of colleges: Princeton, Virginia, Stanford, Notre Dame (lacrosse)
Reasons for choosing Princeton: “We were looking first for education because if I get hurt, then I’m going to have to love the place and the education I’m going to get. That was a big part of my decision. When I was looking at all the schools – and I visited all of them, I just meshed really well with the girls on the Princeton team. They were really welcoming and nice. The coaches are like no other coaches that I’ve ever met. They felt more like a family. They’re stern when they have to be, which is kind of like a mother, and even the girls on the team said the coach is like a motherly figure, so I thought that was really cool.”
As someone who was recruited in both field hockey and lacrosse, what was the progression that led you to playing collegiate field hockey? “Last year in the summer, I was at a lacrosse tournament, and Notre Dame was there. I just kind of felt like I wasn’t in the right spot. I felt as though I was missing out on field hockey.”
Coach Laura Swezey says: “Casey is very smart, very poised, and she’s very versatile. She was considered our offensive mid, and she was our main hitter on our offensive corners, but she was also on the defensive corners. You look at Casey controlling the midfield, Jenna controlling the midfield and Em in goal – they really were a powerful trio throughout the whole field. They were a dominant force covering lots of area on the field.”
About Casey:
Favorite food: Steak & Mashed Potatoes
Favorite movie: Billy Madison
Favorite music: Alternative & House Music
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