Five members of Souderton’s field hockey team will be playing their sport at college this fall, continuing the program’s longstanding tradition under coach Mary Ann Harris of sending numerous players on to play at the collegiate level.
Coach Mary Ann Harris says: “We had a good team this year, and we had a large group of seniors that continued playing. Many of them had played jayvee until this year. It shows that they were interested in the game, and even though they weren’t always playing, they enjoyed the game, and they wanted to improve. The spirit of the seniors was good, and when they were out at the National Hockey Festival in California in November, they decided they were all going to play.”
Olivia Shoemaker – LaSalle University
Major: Undecided, possibly something in business or math
Final list of colleges: LaSalle, Gwynedd-Mercy, Old Dominion
Reasons for choosing LaSalle: “To be honest, probably the coaches and the girls, and it’s close to home, but I really liked all the coaches, and I really liked all the girls. The fact that I already knew people there (she will join Souderton alums Becca Chylack and Katelyn Haney) – I felt really comfortable and at home.”
When did the idea of playing field hockey at the collegiate level become a reality? “I always played travel softball, and I never played extensive field hockey. I always thought I was going to play softball in college. Everyone always said that too – ‘Oh, you’re going to be playing softball in college,’ but Mrs. Harris got me to go to the National Hockey Festival in California. Last year I didn’t go because I never really expected to play hockey in college.
“When I was in California, (LaSalle assistant coach) Sara Cahill talked to me and said she liked the way I played. We started e-mailing back and forth. It turned into ‘We want to offer you some money.’ It was probably the best offer I ever got – I never expected it at all, so I was really excited. The fact that I will get to play field hockey again is really fun.
“I never had field hockey as my prime sport until my freshman year when I was a swing player, and when I actually started my sophomore and junior years, it hit me that it was a sport I could be really good at it and go far. I always thought softball was that sport.”
Coach Mary Ann Harris says: “Because she spent a lot of time at softball and wasn’t seen and known that much in field hockey – Olivia decided at the National Hockey Festival that she liked that competition and she liked field hockey, and she started getting confidence in her game that she could play at that level. She’s a strong player, and she’s going to really be helpful to LaSalle where she’ll join two former Souderton players.”
Carly Hughes – East Stroudsburg University
Major: Elementary Education
Final list of colleges: East Stroudsburg, Shippensburg, Bloomsburg
Reasons for choosing East Stroudsburg: “The coach, Sandy Miller, stayed in contact with me and was really helping me out, and I just really like it there.”
When did the idea of playing collegiate field hockey become a reality? “Probably around my junior year because it was really fun, and I knew I wanted to keep going. In the beginning, I never even wanted to play field hockey in high school, and my parents were always on my case about it. But then I really liked it all through high school. It became a part of my life now, and I couldn’t see myself not playing.”
Coach Mary Ann Harris says: “I’m really glad she decided to continue on. She had a strong season for us this year, and as a defender, she has good attacking instincts and a good drive to set up the attack. She also has strong tackles.”
Kayla Schlosser – Limestone College (Gaffney, S.C.)
Major: Sports Management
Final list of colleges: Limestone, Temple
Reasons for choosing Limestone: “I went for an official in February. I loved the team, and I loved the area. I loved the South. When it came down to Limestone and Temple – I was only going to play club at Temple, and I didn’t want to give up the opportunity to play a Division II sport.
“It’s the complete opposite of Temple. Limestone is a small school in an unknown part of the South, and Temple is huge and in the city. There are pretty much only 800 on the main campus, so it’s very, very small.”
When did the idea of playing collegiate field hockey become a reality? “When I went to the National Festival in California on Senior Night, we got information from them, so I talked to their coach, Lindsay Jackson. She seemed really cool and reminded me of Mrs. Harris, and it was really what I was looking for.”
Coach Mary Ann Harris says: “I think she will add something to the program at Limestone. Her game is improving, and she’s gaining confidence. She understands the game very well, and she’s getting stronger and stronger in her tackles and drives – the things that are important.”
Nicole Bencsik – Eastern Mennonite University
Major: Nursing
Final list of colleges: Eastern Mennonite, Eastern, East Stroudsburg
Reasons for choosing EMU: “When I visited there, the campus was so pretty. I met the whole field hockey team, and they were all so sweet. I just knew I would love playing field hockey there, and it would be a lot of fun. Everyone is really friendly.
“They have a study abroad program, and I thought that was really cool also. I’m so excited. I have so much fun with the field hockey girls, and I know I’ll have fun with the new team I’ll be with.”
When did the idea of playing collegiate field hockey become a reality? “Ever since I’ve been going to the National Hockey Festival in California with all the colleges watching – my junior year I decided because I knew I loved my field hockey team in high school, and I couldn’t imagine life without it.”
Coach Mary Ann Harris says: “She has good speed and a good shot. I think Eastern Mennonite will be a good fit. They get many of their players from (Christopher) Dock and Lancaster Mennonite, and they always have a strong team.”
Jaclyn Zylka – Elizabethtown College
Major: Business and Accounting
Final list of colleges: Elizabethtown, Marywood, Mansfield, St. Joseph’s, Delaware
Reasons for choosing Elizabethtown: “Out of all the colleges I looked at, they have the best business program, and I really liked the campus because it was smaller, so I can get to know people better.
“One of their senior captains was one of my tour guides when I went up there, and while I was there, I talked to the coach briefly. We have been e-mailing each other, and she said I should try out. I was so excited.”
When did the idea of playing field hockey in college become a reality? “Around my junior year, I decided to keep playing field hockey because it was my main sport. I also run track, but I like field hockey better. It’s a more competitive sport, and I just like playing defense. Track was more to keep me in shape for field hockey season. Once I started playing hockey, I got really into it.”
Coach Mary Ann Harris says: “She was our (defensive) sweeper her junior year, but she was in an automobile accident and was out for almost half the season. She came back and was one of our defensive backs. She’ll be a good for Elizabethtown. She’ll add knowledge – she knows what’s going on, and she’s also fast.”
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