Thanksgiving vacation for many SOL field hockey players didn’t include a traditional turkey dinner with family.
Instead, it meant a trip to balmy Indio, Calif., for the 2009 National Hockey Festival where the East Coast put on quite a showing.
Five SOL players – Central Bucks East senior Christina Maida, Hatboro-Horsham senior Lauren Purvis, Upper Dublin senior Jordan O’Reilly, Central Bucks South junior Madison Harding and Wissahickon sophomore Lauren Becker – were members of the U19 Mystx Storm squad that captured the title in the prestigious ‘A’ Pool.
There were 21 pools in the U19 competition, and winning gold in the ‘A’ pool is the highest honor at the festival for female hockey players.
“It’s all great players,” Harding said. “It’s the best competition you can ask for, and it shows where you are compared to them.”
Coaching the U19 Mystx squad was Jeff Harding, who led Central Bucks East to a PIAA state title during his coaching tenure there.
“Statistically, if you looked at our team – I think what made us very effective was we were well balanced from a scoring standpoint, and we had a lot of strength in the backfield as well as in goal,” he said. “To have balance at the higher level is really important because if you just have one or two key players, it’s easy for a team to shut that down, but I think it was spread out pretty evenly.”
The Mystx Storm compiled a near-perfect 5-1 mark in pool play with its only loss coming at the hands of Fire Styx (2-1). The Storm earned wins over High Styx Stampede (3-1), Spirit USA North (3-0), Pocono (2-1), The Edge Gaya (5-2) and X-Calibur Justice (2-0).
“It was extremely exciting, especially playing our rival X-Calibur in the finals,” said Maddy Harding of a team that included North Penn’s Elizabeth Fedele.
Becker, one of the youngest players on the U19 squad, plays center midfield for her U16 squad but found herself playing defense for the Storm in California.
“The game is a lot faster at U19, but it was kind of easy to adjust for me because I have played with these girls in other tournaments, so I knew how they played,” the Wissahickon sophomore said.
Becker was not the only member of the Mystx who found herself playing in a new position.
“We had nine center midfielders on the team,” coach Harding said. “What everybody needs to understand is that players are going to be put in different spots, and it’s really going to be in the best interests of what the club team is doing.
“I think that was our greatest strength. Everybody understood their roles and responsibilities and played very well as a team.”
One player who didn’t have to adjust to a new position was Maida, East’s standout goalie who will be taking her talents to perennial national power Princeton University next fall.
“Last year I wasn’t in the ‘A’ pool, and I felt as though this year was a completely different experience,” the senior goalie said. “There was less action from a goalie standpoint, but every single shot mattered because there were only a few.
“We had a really good team of D-1 players, and it was a really good experience.”
Prior to traveling to California, the U19 all-star team had competed together in two tournaments and had several practices. Still, everything came together for the squad at the festival.
“They’re all quality players on our team,” said Maddy Harding, who played center back. “Once you have the skills, you can play anywhere on the field.
“We’re all comfortable with each other because we have been playing together for a while, whether it’s indoor or outdoor.”
“I found it easy,” Maida said. “I’m not a field player, but it seemed like everybody knew where each other was because everyone is so experienced and talented, and they were able to connect.”
It was at last year’s festival that Maida caught the eye of the Princeton coaches.
“After that, they started recruiting pretty hard,” she said. “On July 1, I made a verbal commitment.”
The festival is a tremendous vehicle for hockey players looking to play at the next level.
“Unfortunately, it does require a lot of out of pocket expenses, but whether it be field hockey, premier soccer or lacrosse, to get that type of exposure – it’s really, really difficult for a college coach to see a lot of high school games unless your team is deep into post-season play,” coach Harding said. “If playing in college is an objective, they really need to get involved at a young age and get experience and exposure when the time is right.”
The Mystx program has a rich hockey tradition. Last year, the U19 team finished second in the ‘A’ pool, and three years ago, the elite squad also won the national title.
“It’s really intense competition,” Becker said. “All of the club teams are really good, and the games come down to one or two goals.
“I just love going out there and playing field hockey because I love playing it, and the group of girls – we’re all best friends on and off the field, and it’s just a fun time.”
The games were played in optimum conditions at the Empire Polo Club.
“I would never in my life probably go to Palm Springs, but I’ve had the luxury of going there for the past four years, and it’s beautiful,” coach Harding said. “I really wish that every field hockey player, regardless of their goals after high school, would have the opportunity to experience that because the grass is so beautiful, it’s 70 degrees, and there’s so much energy and great hockey.”
For many players the National Hockey Festival is an annual event, and the trip to California included more than just hockey. There was the Thanksgiving dinner with the team at the hotel, bonfires, s’mores and much, much more.
“We’re all really close,” Becker said. “Our whole Mystx Club was there. I have been with them so long. It’s like another family.”
Another branch of the Mystx family tree – the Mystx Force U16 team – captured the ‘Z’ Pool in the U16 competition. SOL players on that squad were Kayla Kenney and Mackenzie Harding from Central Bucks South, Maddie Wegenfeld of Hatboro-Horsham and Megan McCullough from Plymouth Whitemarsh. Heather Whalin, coach of Council Rock North, was at the helm of that squad.
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