Central Bucks East seniors Erin O’Brien, Christina Maida and Dana Thomas were recognized for inking their names on letters of intent to play field hockey at the Division One level.
Erin O’Brien – University of Richmond
Major: Undecided
Reasons for choosing Richmond: “Pretty much I always knew I wanted to play hockey, and this was the first school I visited. I didn’t know much about it, but I went on Junior Day. The campus was beautiful. I met the girls – I was kind of nervous to meet them, but they made it easy for me. I committed in April (2009). It was such a relief. I didn’t have to worry about getting accepted because I already knew I was.”
When did the idea of playing collegiate hockey become a reality? “I started playing hockey in second grade, and we played in indoor leagues since we were 12. We go to California every year for the National Festival. I spent so much time playing hockey. I put all my weekends into it, and I couldn’t imagine doing it for nothing. I’m very excited about playing at Richmond. It seems unreal.”
Coach Marie Meehan said: “Erin is an extremely skilled player. Her thing is deception with the ball, and her placement with the ball is great. She would get that outlet pass and be able to go one-on-one with anyone. She was always at the right place at the right time in terms of being in the circle. She’s one of those kids that had a nose for scoring and just loved doing it. The sky is the limit for her in college.”
Christina Maida – Princeton University
Major: Undecided but leaning toward 
economics or philosophy
economics or philosophyFinal list of colleges: Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Columbia, American
Reasons for choosing Princeton: “Princeton was always number one, way above number two. I didn’t really have a second or third choice. After I met the coaches and players, I had my mind set on that. The campus is beautiful, the coaching staff is phenomenal, and the girls are so nice. They’re very, very talented, and they have a great field hockey program.”
When did the idea of playing collegiate hockey become a reality? “I never considered that I would be good enough to play Division One hockey anywhere. Once I got involved with the Mystyx program, they taught me about the game, and they gave me the skills and knowledge, and they have so many connections. Almost everyone who plays Mystyx goes D-1, and going to Princeton is a dream come true.”
Coach Marie Meehan said: “Since day one sophomore year, we could see her athleticism. She was just a different type of keeper. It’s not just her athleticism but combine that with her competitive spirit. She was fierce. If someone would score on her, it made her tougher, it made her work harder. We had three seniors last fall, and everyone else was young. Christina basically told the defense where to be, and they needed to have that direction until they understood.”
Dana Thomas – Lafayette College
Major: Possibly biology
Final list of schools: Lafayette, American
Reasons for choosing Lafayette: “A lot of members of our family have gone to Lafayette. We have seven Lafayette alumni in our family. They have a good program, and the coach, who’s fairly new, is really building the program.”
When did the idea of playing collegiate hockey become a reality: “I have always wanted to play hockey in college. Since I was young, it was always a dream. This year was the most enjoyable – playing with my two best friends (Maida and O’Brien) who I have played with forever.”
Coach Marie Meehan said: “Dana could play any position we needed and could do it well. She would teach the younger girls how to play certain pulls, how to change fields. She was the one who controlled the middle of the field. She was such a skilled player.”
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