On Wednesday, October 15th, field hockey seniors stepped onto the field for the last regular season game. The team didn’t just celebrate the last Berkshire League game, they celebrated the players who helped build the foundation of the team. The seniors have been more than just teammates, they have been role models for everyone around them.
Payton Brown, a Nonnewaug field hockey defensive sophomore said, “The seniors have taught me a lot about leadership and what it’s like to be on a team where leadership can influence players so much.” Payton is not the only player who thinks the seniors have taught them about leadership.
Fiona Scozzafava, the sophomore goalie, said “I’ve learned a lot from the seniors about what it’s like to be on a team that constantly lifts each other up and is always supportive, especially throughout this season and I know I can count on them.”
Coach Janet Crocker agreed that the seniors have shaped this team. “These four seniors have shaped this team in every possible way. They are the glue that holds this group together. Anna is the spark on offense, Ella and Sophia command the midfield, and Laila anchors the defense with confidence and leadership. Their experience, knowledge, and skills have kept this team competitive in every game. This season alone, 22 of our 36 goals have been scored by our seniors—a testament to their impact and consistency.”
The seniors all have different jobs on the field but they all work together to move the ball. The seniors have grown since their freshman year.
Crocker added, “I’ve had the privilege of watching these players grow tremendously over the years. When I first came to Nonnewaug, they had potential—raw talent waiting to be molded—but little direction or understanding of how to play as a cohesive unit. In 2023, the team earned 2 wins. In 2024, they fought their way to 8 wins and qualified for both the BL Tournament and the State Tournament. Now in 2025, they’ve already earned 9 wins with four regular season games remaining and are positioned for even stronger tournament runs with higher seeds.”
The seniors have grown as people and as players since their freshman year. The underclassmen expressed an interest in following in their path.
Brown said, “They showed me the effort you have to put in, in order to achieve your goals. They have given me dreams and aspirations of what I want to become and how I can look up to them, and they are my role models. They have given me standards for what I want to reach for.”
For some players, the focus wasn’t just on how they played, it’s also about the bond they made with the team.
Laila Jones said “The best memory for myself and the team is the bus rides to every game. It’s important to have the bond before every game and talking before a game.”
Jones explained that the team built memories along the way, but that the four years go by fast.
She said, “ I would tell my underclassmen, never give up and play every game the best you can. It goes by quicker than players imagine. I feel that I took some of my seasons for granted, but this year is the year I will have no regrets and use my time to its full advantage. This team has taught me amazing life lessons, and I wish I had more time.”
The seniors have made sure that the underclassmen had fun while they were still figuring things out on the team.
Scozzafava said, “They have helped me grow as a person by contributing to the team climate and making it really just a fun season for everyone.”
As the season comes to its end, Coach Crocker hopes that the seniors can take what they learned with them into the future.
Crocker said, “To these seniors, my advice is simple: keep believing in yourselves. Keep setting goals and working relentlessly to achieve them. And continue to nurture the younger players who will follow in your footsteps.”
