By Mary Ellis Logan

2022 State Championship. Photo credit: @kdawgzkrew2.0 on Instagram

Coming out of an extremely exciting 2022, the Collegiate varsity field hockey team is looking for another successful season. The 2022 team won the state championship and experienced how essential the post-season can be. Returning player Catherine Owen (‘24) described the championship as “absolutely amazing, even more so because it was our coach’s first year as head of the program.” Assistant Athletic Director Kelsey Smither is now entering her second season as head field hockey coach, and I spoke with her to better understand the team’s goals. Smither noted that following the team’s amazing win last year, she and the other coaches are working to develop a new path to success, rather than retracing their steps from last season. 

Varsity field hockey captains. Photo credit: @kdawgzkrew2.0 on Instagram.

One of the defining characteristics of the Collegiate field hockey program is its tight-knit community of coaching staff and players. This year’s team consists of several returning players, as well as many new faces. Smither described the excitement of getting to mentor new players, including younger talent who she could “potentially coach for four years.” The team consists of many 8th, 9th, and 10th Grade students who will get to be part of the team and community for several years. The team provides an opportunity for younger players to connect with upperclassmen and experience a sense of guidance, especially from their team captains. This year, the team is led by Heidi Albrecht (‘24), Mary Katherine Brost (‘24), and Callie Rogers (‘24). 

Many players are interested in continuing their field hockey careers by playing in college. Rogers is committed to the University of Maryland, a continuous Top 10 program. Smither mentioned that many of the younger players on the team are looking to learn more about the recruitment process and hopefully commit in the future.

Collegiate has faced some tough opponents this season, yet they are currently 11-2. The team has had many exciting league games this season, beating in-town rivals Trinity Episcopal School (4-2) on Oct. 3 and Saint Catherine’s (9-2) on Sept. 26. The team lost to number-one ranked Norfolk Academy on Friday, Oct. 13 and to Trinity in a re-match on Tuesday, Oct. 17. 

This year’s coaching staff consists of Smither, Coach Savannah Clarke, Coach Frankie Conklin, and Coach Jill Prince. Smither mentioned that Clarke “also coaches lacrosse in the spring and works with a lot of the same kids,” allowing students who play both field hockey and lacrosse to have a consistent mentor. Conklin works with the entire team and acts as a mentor for the teams goalies. Prince is a strong new addition to the coaching staff this season. The coaching staff focuses on preparing the team for their opponents on a game-by-game basis, paying special attention to their next opponent, rather than teams they will play farther into the season.