On Feb. 3, Jennalise Taylor and Mia Reed were recognized a news conference for signing letters of intent to play field hockey at the collegiate level.
Mia Reed – Temple University (Field Hockey)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Temple, Drexel, St. Joseph’s, Babson
Reasons for choosing Temple: “I knew I wanted to be in the city, I knew I wanted to stay close to my family, so Drexel, St. Joe’s and Temple really stood out. Temple made me feel very welcome. The program there is amazing, and I think it’s going to get even better over the next four years. I’m just very excited.
“It sounds corny to say, but it was the perfect fit. I had pros and cons, and Temple had all pros.”
When did the reality of playing at the collegiate level become a reality? “Jennalise (Taylor) and I have been playing since we were freshman. She knew she wanted to play, but I didn’t think I was good enough. I did not think I could play at a D-1 school, but then after my junior year, I just realized I could not live without field hockey. I’m very passionate about it.
“When they ask, what do you do in your spare time, it’s field hockey. Starting in October of my junior year, I did showcases, and I did everything I could do to get better. I did extra practices, I played for a club team, and in the summer, I hit the showcases hard.
“I sent out e-mails to coaches. It was crazy – I could tell you their e-mail addresses by heart because I e-mailed them so often. It was like hell trying to get it all in, but I knew that’s what I wanted, so I made it happen. It turned out for the best.”
How exciting is it to realize your dream of playing collegiate field hockey? “I went on an official visit a week and a half before (receiving the scholarship offer), and I sent A.J. (head coach Amanda Janney) my resume, my video. She sent me an e-mail asking me to commit. I got the e-mail on my phone. I ran to the computer, and my mom and I jumped up and down for a good 15-20 minutes. It was insane. I called A.J. – I think it was the most ecstatic acceptance she has ever received. This is what I dreamed of, this is what I wanted. A lot of people think it’s crazy to want to play a sport in college, but I think – why wouldn’t you? I’m overjoyed, to say the least.”
Coach Brook Bergmann says: “What was really exciting about Mia was I could see a lot of talent. I think she never really felt like she could do (play at the collegiate level), but once she made that commitment she just flourished, and that development happened so fast. We saw all these great signs during her junior year, and in her senior year, she was one of the best players in the league, and that was exciting to see.
“Her stick skills are excellent in the field of play, controlling the ball. When we got into the circle and had scoring opportunities, she was able to finish at those times we needed a goal, and she had 17 goals.”
Jennalise Taylor – Quinnipiac University (Field Hockey)
Major: Health Sciences
Final list of colleges: Quinnipiac, Vermont, Northeastern, Temple
Reasons for choosing Quinnipiac: “Their health sciences program is excellent. They are ranked 11th in the country. Also, their coaching system is outstanding. Their coach, Becca Kohli, went to Pennsbury. It’s just an all-around awesome program. I fell in love with the campus, and it’s really convenient to come home.”
When did the idea of playing field hockey at the collegiate level become a reality? “I knew by 10th grade that I wanted to play hockey in college. It’s a really long process. You need to start early and get seen by coaches, but I always knew I wanted to play in college.”
How exciting is it to realize your dream of playing collegiate hockey? “I’m so happy. I know where I’m going, and I love where I’m going. Our senior hockey season this year was excellent, and it’s so exciting to know I can have four more years. Some kids don’t have that chance. I am so lucky.”
Coach Brooke Bergmann says: “This has been Jennalise’s goal for a long time, and she did everything that she needed to do along the way to get herself to this point, so it has been a total commitment. It’s so impressive to see a high school student do that, and I think she commanded a lot of respect from other coaches and other players. She was always a presence on the field. We put her in the middle of the field her sophomore year, her junior year and her senior year, and she’s kind of been the center of our team.
“(What makes her so good is) her intensity. She gets involved in the plays. She’s never caught watching. She’s always part of what’s going on, and that you can’t teach. It’s an inherent skill, and when you see someone who has it, you get excited as a coach.”
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