The Skyline Field Hockey team started off the Fall season unsure of how it would go with many new players and a new head coach. The team adapted quickly and was able to find success.
“We have a new coach this year who has been amazing and has pushed each of us to be our best both on and off the field,” says team captain Gabi Arocha (‘26). “She has really been a big help to us and has brought a lot of field hockey knowledge to the team with her.”
The new coach’s name is Kylee Niswonger. She started out playing field hockey in high school for Dexter High School. Later, she got recruited to play for the University of Maryland. Once she had graduated college, she moved back to Michigan for graduate school, and to coach the Skyline Field Hockey team.
With the coach’s guidance and the team’s willingness to adapt to new people, the team went on to do very well throughout the season (10-8-1). They worked hard and were able to dominate many of the games they played.
The team ended the season with 10 wins, 8 losses, and 1 tie.
Due to losing many star players in previous years, many of whom went on to play Division I Field Hockey, the team struggled and pushed through to get where they are today.
“We experienced a bit of a rebuilding year after losing a bunch of seniors,” says Arocha. “This year, we’ve built the team up again with lots of new underclassmen players, and we’ve been able to make both a JV and Varsity team as well.”
With many new players, a common struggle is that players are not used to playing with one another. Although it was not instantaneous, the team was able to bond easily and get back up and running.
“Our team does the best when we all want it,” says team captain Maeve Kilbride (‘27) When we all work together and play as a unit rather than just for ourselves.. We have three words that we use to reflect: purpose, determination, and hustle.”
Everyone working very hard the whole season paid off, because the team made it to regionals. Unfortunately they lost to Pioneer (their last game), 4-0, on October 20th. The team still won two out of their three playoff games.
