Field Hockey? Yes!
Field Hockey is not well known throughout Kansas and Missouri. There are only two schools that offers the sport outside of St. Louis. But, 32 schools have produced 66 NCAA players. That is a lot!
Field hockey is a sport that is mostly played further East. However, hundreds of colleges offer the sport and, of course, thousands of high schools. But, there are only about 32 high schools in Missouri that play the sport, and only two of those are outside of St. Louis. However, when we look at what these ladies are doing in the NCAA, we understand why that demands our attention. Following below are 66 Missouri athletes who are competing in DI, DII, or DIII field hockey. That is over two per high school, which is a much higher ratio than for any other high school sport.
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Much of the sport is guided by both the NCAA and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). You can find the NCAA field hockey section here, and the NFHCA website here. And yes, that is John Burroughs’ Grace Pottebaum wearing No. 16 for North Carolina on the front page of the NCAA field hockey site.
Not only do these ladies compete in intercollegiate athletics, they do so at some of the finest academic institution in the country. Here are where our field hockey talent is playing in college:
Amherst College
Ball State University
Bellarmine University
Belmont Abbey College
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Bucknell University
California-Davis
Central Michigan University
Colgate University
Columbia University
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Connecticut College
Dartmouth University
Davidson University
Denison University
DePauw University
Georgetown University
Harvard University
University of Indiana
University of Iowa
Lindenwood University
Louisville University
Maryville University
MIT
Miami-Ohio
Middlebury College
University of New Hampshire
University of North Carolina
Ohio University
University of Rochester
Saint Louis University
Stanford University
Syracuse University
University of Virginia
Wake Forest University
Washington & Lee University
College of Wooster
Yale University
But, can those universities play field hockey? Oh my, yes! Nineteen of the 66 local athletes populate the roster of a Top 25 team. They play on 12 ranked teams, with two colleges ranked No. 1. Yes, Iowa in Division I and Middlebury in Division III. And six athletes play for a Division I school ranked No. 6 or higher. That is great representation from the Midwest.
Following the athletes you will find two spreadsheets that detail the year to date statistics for each of these ladies.
Now let’s meet these athletes. They are listed by high school, in alpha sequence.
Cor Jesu Academy
Taylor Etling - Senior - Midfielder - Division I - University of Indiana - Big Ten Conference
Last year, as a junior, Taylor played in 17 games, starting two. She was named Academic All-Big Ten, was an NFHCA National Academic Squad honoree, and was named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
Ellie McArthur - Junior - Back - Division III - Amherst College - New England Small College Athletic Conference
Amherst is currently ranked No. 10 in Division III. Last year, as a sophomore, Ellie played in four games, accumulating 27 minutes.
Teresa Schmidt - Graduate Student - Midfielder - Division I - Bellarmine University - Mid-American Conference
Teresa started every contest last year, as a junior. And then she simply didn’t leave the field. She played 97% of the minutes for the season. Serving as a captain, she ranked high on the team in several statistical categories. Teresa also has developed a habit of attracting academic attention. She was named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad and its Scholars of Distinction. She was also a Mid-American Conference All-Academic Team honoree.
Faith Schmidt - Junior - Midfielder - Division I - Harvard University - Ivy League
Harvard is currently ranked No. 15 in Division I. Faith has been a NFHCA Academic Squad selection in each of her two years on the team.
Caitlin Struckhoff - Junior - Back - Division II - Belmont Abbey College - Southern Athletic Conference
Last year, as a sophomore, Caitlin earned Second Team All-Southern Athletic Conference honors. She started all 17 contests.
Caroline Stutte - Junior - Midfielder - Division I - Univ. of California-Davis - America East Conference
Caroline has appeared in every game in her two years, starting every contest as a sophomore. She was an America East Conference All-Rookie honoree as a freshman, along with receiving NFHCA National Academic Squad honors.
John Burroughs School
Almira Arnold - Senior - Defender - Division III - Bowdoin College - New England Small College Athletic Conference
Bowdoin is currently ranked No. 16 in Division III. Almira started 14 games and played in all 16 a year ago. She logged the sixth most minutes on the team. She has been named to the NESCAC All-Academic Team.
Estelle Ballet - Freshman - Midfielder/Back - Division I - Brown University - Ivy League
Estelle is starting her collegiate career this season. She was a three sport athlete while in high school. She was a two time All-State honoree and a three time member of the All-Academic Team. After her senior year she was honored as the Metro League Co-Player of the Year.
Anna Duncan - Junior - Goalkeeper - Division III - Massachusetts Institute of Technology - New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference
MIT is currently ranked No. 19 in Division III. Anna started eight and appeared in 17 games a year ago. She was 9 and 2 as the goalie, recording four individual shut outs and shared in five others. She gave up just .86 goals per game and had a .773 save percentage. Anna was a NFHCA Scholar of Distinction, a member of the NFHCA National Academic Squad, and a NEWMAC Academic All Conference Team honoree.
Katie Kantrovitz - Freshman - Defender - Division III - Amherst College - New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference
Amherst is currently ranked No. 10 in Division III. Katie is starting her collegiate career this season.
Sydney Panagos - Senior - Forward - Division I - Bucknell University - Patriot League
Sydney has played in 11 games entering her senior year. She is a two time NFHCA National Academic Squad member and also a two time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll honoree.
Grace Pottebaum - Sophomore - Midfielder/Forward - Division I - Univ. of North Carolina - Atlantic Coast Conference
North Carolina is currently ranked No. 2 in Division I. Grace will count her freshman season as her redshirt year, maintaining four years of eligibility. She was named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad.
Esther Pottebaum - Freshman - Midfielder - Division I - Stanford University - Pac 12 Conference
Esther is just starting her collegiate career. She was a four sport athlete in high school. She earned many metro and state honors including being named to the All-Metro League First Team three times and a two time All-Metro selection.
Jane Shanahan - Senior - Midfielder - Division III - Bowdoin College - New England Small College Athletic Conference
Bowdoin is currently ranked No. 16 in Division III. Last year, as a junior, Jane played in 14 games. She started nine of those games, accumulated three points with an assist and a goal. Jane has been named to the NESCAC All-Academic Team.
Kate Smith - Junior - Back - Division III - Amherst College - New England Small College Athletic Conference
Amherst is currently ranked No. 10 in Division III. Kate has been a mainstay in the Amherst starting lineup. Two games into this, her junior season, she has started all 34 games and has logged a staggering 2,021 minutes on the field. Want a sign as to who is valuable to the team? Start with those who they don’t take off the field.
Luanna Summer - Senior - Goalkeeper - Division I - Yale University - Ivy League
Yale knew they had good player when they signed Luanna out of high school. She wasn’t just on the St. Louis All-Metro team, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch named her to the First Team All-Decade Team. She has not disappointed. She has started every game in goal since the beginning of her sophomore season, playing all but 4:24 during that span. Luanna is a three time NFHCA National Academic Squad honoree.
Kirkwood High School
Ellie Francois - Freshman - Defender - Division I - Ball State University - Mid-American Conference
As a freshman, Ellie is just starting her collegiate career.
Ladue Horton Watkins High School
Liv Goeke - Freshman - Midfielder - Division I - Davidson University - Atlantic-10 Conference
Liv is a high school multi-sport athlete who, as a freshman, is just starting her collegiate field hockey career.
Bea Talbot - Freshman - Goalkeeper - Division III - Connecticut College - New England Small College Athletic Conference
As a freshman, Bea is just starting her collegiate career.
Mary Vetter - Freshman - Forward/Midfielder - Division I - Ladue Horton Watkins - St. Louis University - Atlantic-10 Conference
A multi-sport athlete in high school, Mary is just starting her collegiate field hockey career as a freshman.
Lafayette High School - Wildwood
Elayna Malak - Junior - Midfielder - Division III - Amherst College - New England Small College Athletic Conference
Amherst is currently ranked No. 10 in Division III. Elayna earned many high school honors in both field hockey and lacrosse. She has gotten on the field in her midfielder position five times in each of her first two seasons.
Lauren Marshall - Senior - Forward - Division I - Bellarmine University - Mid-American Conference
Lauren is back for her senior year after getting on the field in each of her first three years. She is a two time NFHCA National Academic Squad honoree and was named to the Mid-American Conference All Academic Team.
Mia Simpson - Junior - Forward/Midfielder - Division I - Lindenwood University - Independent
Mia has appeared in every game since she arrived at Lindenwood following her high school career, which saw her be named her Conference Player of the Year. Last season Mia tied for the team lead in goals and was second in points.
Lindbergh High School
Savannah Cox - Freshman - Forward - Division II - Maryville University - Independent
As a freshman, Savannah is just starting her collegiate field hockey career.
Calista Crocker - Freshman - Midfielder/Forward - Division II - Maryville University - Independent
As a freshman, Calista is just starting her collegiate field hockey career.
Jessie Earley - Sophomore - Defender/Midfielder - Division II - Maryville University - Independent
Demonstrating a seamless transition from high school to college competition, Jessie started every game last year as a freshman. Her 834 minutes played was the most for all of the field players.
Dorothy Fife - Sophomore - Defender - Division II - Maryville University - Independent
Dorothy is back for her sophomore season after a freshman year that saw her start every game on defense.
Lutheran South High School
Abby McGue - Senior - Defender - Division III - Concordia University-Wisconsin - Southern Athletic Association
Abby has started every game since the beginning of her sophomore year. She has been an All-Southern Athletic Association Second Team honoree.
Bella Vandeloecht - Freshman - Midfielder - Division III - Concordia University-Wisconsin - Southern Athletic Association
As a freshman, Bella is just starting her collegiate field hockey career.
Sophia Vandeloecht - Senior - Midfielder - Division III - Concordia University-Wisconsin - Southern Athletic Association
Sophia has started every game over her last two seasons at Concordia University.
Marquette High School
Lauren McGauley - Freshman - Defender - Division III - DePauw University - North Coast Athletic Conference
As a freshman, Lauren is just starting her collegiate field hockey career.
Mary Institute Country Day School
Lily Baker - Junior - Midfielder/Back - Division I - Columbia University - Ivy League
Lily’s transition from high school to collegiate competition was seamless. The two time All-State selection in high school has started every game in her first two seasons at Columbia.
Jenna Bernstein - Junior - Midfielder - Division III - Washington & Lee University - Old Dominion Athletic Conference
Last year, as a sophomore, Jenna was named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad and was Academic All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
Brecken Calcari - Sophomore - Forward - Division I - University of New Hampshire - America East Conference
A three sport athlete while in high school, Brecken competed in three games as a freshman last year.
Reagan Calcari - Senior - Midfielder - Division I - University of New Hampshire - America East Conference
Reagan’s participation in games has increased each year with her playing in 17 of 20 games last season as a junior. She is a two time America East Conference Commissioner Honor Roll honoree and was a member of the NFHCA National Academic Squad.
Caroline Carr - Senior - Forward - Division I - Dartmouth University - Ivy League
Last year as a junior, Caroline played in 15 games, starting six of them. She is a three time member of the NFHCA National Academic Squad
Mia Duchars - Senior - Midfielder - Division I - University of Louisville - Atlantic Coast Conference
Louisville is currently No. 4 in Division I. Mia returns for her senior year after starting 19 of the 20 games in which she competed a year ago. She is a three time NFHCA Academic Squad member and a three time ACC Academic Honor Roll honoree. As a junior last year, Mia was named to the ACC All-Academic Team.
Skyler Lesslie - Senior - Midfielder - Division I - Georgetown University - Big East Conference
Skyler is back for her senior year after starting 13 of the games last year in which she participated. She has been named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad.
Anna Lochhead - Sophomore - Forward/Midfielder - Division I - Colgate University - Patriot League
Anna is back for her sophomore year after competing in 16 games as a freshman.
Kate Oliver - Sophomore - Forward - Division I - Harvard University - Ivy League
Harvard is currently ranked No. 15 in Division I. Kate is back for her sophomore season after competing in 17 games last year. Her play earned her All-Ivy League Honorable Mention. Kate was also a NFHCA Academic Squad honoree.
Hanna Wurdack - Junior - Forward - Division III - Bowdoin College - New England Small College Athletic Conference
Bowdoin is currently ranked No. 16 in Division III. Last year, as a sophomore, Hanna played in 12 contests after competing in 8 the year before.
Nerinx Hall High School
Olivia Bell - Junior - Forward - Division I - Syracuse University - Atlantic Coast Conference
Syracuse is currently ranked No. 6 in Division I. After playing in four games in each of her first two years, Olivia has played in all five of this year’s contests, starting one of those games.
Mia Fields - Senior - Defender - Division I - Bucknell University - Patriot League
Mia is back for her senior year. She has started 38 of the 45 games in which she has participated during her collegiate career. She is a two time NFHCA National Academic Squad honoree and a two time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
Abby Hodges - Senior - Defender - Division I - Bellarmine University - Mid-American Conference
Prior to her senior year, Abby has appeared in 41 games, starting 20. She is a two year member of the Mid-American Conference All-Academic Team.
Audrey Woods - Freshman - Forward - Division I - Lindenwood University - Independent
As a freshman, Audrey is just starting her collegiate field hockey career.
Oakville High School
Alli Brennan - Senior - Defender - Division I - Lindenwood University - Independent
Alli is back for her senior year after having participated in 20 games over the last two seasons, logging 457 minutes of playing time.
Parkway West High School
Makenna Rugani - Senior - Forward - Division I - Lindenwood University - Independent
Makenna is entering her senior season after playing in 32 games over the last two years, starting 25 of them. She has logged nearly 1,500 minutes of playing time in her career.
Allie Toombs - Freshman - Midfielder - Division III - College of Wooster - North Coast Athletic Conference
As a freshman, Allie is just starting her collegiate field hockey career.
Pembroke Hill School
Ellie Hughes - Junior - Midfielder - Division III - Middlebury College - New England Small College Athletic Conference
Middlebury is currently ranked No. 1 in Division III. Three games into her junior season, Ellie’s team has won 44 of 45 games. Middlebury went a perfect 22 and 0 in Ellie’s freshman year, on their way to the national title. Last year, they fell for the only time for the season in the national championship game. She has started all three games thus far in her junior year. Ellie has logged 532 minutes of playing time for this perennial national contender.
Abby Long - Senior - Goalkeeper - Division III - Washington & Lee University - Old Dominion Athletic Conference
Early in her senior year, Abby has 24 consecutive start in goal. She had a 17 and 3 record as a junior. She gave up just 1.20 goals per game and had a .710 save percentage.
Abby’s experience is unique in that her school was one of only two to offer field hockey as a sport. That made for a lot of road trips. But, that also made for a lot of memories that will last forever. This is a good reminder to schools. Those road trips are valuable in the development of the students. This is Abby’s perspective four years after the last high school road trip:
The Pembroke Hill field hockey team will forever hold a special place in my heart. We had to travel multiple times a month to compete and that created a bond within the team unmatched by any other sport. We spent endless hours on the bus, out to dinners, and at the hotel-these moments brought us closer together as a group which created a team environment that truly resembled a family for both the players and coaches.
Each Fall I would look forward to our weekend trips to St. Louis, Oklahoma, and beyond. Without the hard work of Coach Hughes and the Pembroke Hill coaching staff these moments would not have been possible. I look fondly back on my high school field hockey days, full of amazing memories and even more amazing people.
Abby Long
Principia High School
Shaya Dry - Sophomore - Forward - Division I - Saint Louis University - Atlantic-10 Conference
Last year as a freshman, Shaya ranked high on the team in goals scored, shots on goal, and points while playing in 17 games. Shaya was named to the Atlantic-10 Conference All-Rookie team.
Rosati-Kain Academy
Leah Brozovich - Junior - Goalkeeper - Division I - Lindenwood University - Independent
Leah played in 10 games last season, starting nine in goal. She made 53 saves which was the most on the team.
St. Dominic High School
Riley Monroe - Sophomore - Defender - Division II - Maryville University-MO - Independent
Riley was a standout defensive player last year as a freshman. She started all 14 games.
St. Joseph’s Academy
Katie Maxim - Senior - Goalkeeper - Division I - Central Michigan University - Mid-American Conference
Last year as a junior, Katie started in goal seven of the nine games in which she played. She made 70 saves during the season. Katie is a two time Academic All-Mid-American Conference Team member.
Annie Ryan - Freshman - Forward - Division I - University of Ohio - Mid-American Conference
As a freshman, Annie is just starting her collegiate field hockey career.
Delanie Winkelmann - Sophomore - Forward - Division II - Maryville University-MO - Independent
Delanie is back for her sophomore campaign after starting all 14 games as a freshman. She ranked second on the team in points.
Villa Duchesne
Sydney Acker - Sophomore - Back - Division I - Saint Louis University - Atlantic-10 Conference
Sydney is back for her sophomore year after having competed in ten games as a freshman.
Gigi Edwards - Freshman - Forward - Division I - University of Louisville - Atlantic Coast Conference
Louisville is currently ranked No. 4 in Division I. As a freshman, Gigi is just starting her collegiate field hockey career.
Georgia Leary - Freshman - Midfielder - Division I - Wake Forest University - Atlantic Coast Conference
Wake Forest is currently ranked No. 16 in Division I. As a freshman, Georgia is just starting her collegiate field hockey career.
Taryn Tkachuk - Junior - Striker - Division I - University of Virginia - Atlantic Coast Conference
Virginia is currently ranked No. 6 in Division I. After fighting through an injury her freshman year, Taryn played in 20 games last year as a sophomore. Her four goals for the year were timely, with two game winners and one that tied the game. She was named to the All-Atlantic Coach Conference Tournament Team, the All-ACC Academic Team, and is an ACC Academic Honor Roll honoree. Taryn’s clutch play continues into this short season with having scored the game winning goal against Temple.
Visitation Academy
Maeve Fogarty - Sophomore - Attack - Division III - University of Rochester - Liberty League
Rochester is currently ranked No. 21 in Division III. After a stellar high school career, Maeve started her collegiate career last year in seamless fashion. As a rookie, she started all 23 games and was the second leading scorer. Maeve showed her stamina with her 1,310 minutes of play, the third most on the team. Her conference took notice and she was named the Liberty League Rookie of the Year and was placed on the Second Team All-Liberty League Team. Maeve is also a NFHCA National Academic Squad honoree.
Tess Reed - Freshman - Forward - Division I - University of Iowa - Big Ten Conference
Iowa is currently ranked No. 1 in Division I. As a freshman, Tess is just starting her collegiate field hockey career.
Maggie Reed - Freshman - Midfielder - Division I - Miami University-Ohio - Mid-American Conference
As a freshman, Maggie is just starting her collegiate field hockey career.
Webster Groves High School
Grace Lock - Senior - Defender/Midfielder - Division III - Denison University - North Coast Athletic Conference
After her freshman year was cancelled due to Covid, Grace has started every game since the beginning of her sophomore season. Last year as a junior, she was named to the First Team All-North Coast Athletic Conference Team. She is a two time NCAC Honor Roll awardee and a three time NFCHA National Academic Squad honoree.
Whitfield School
Liz Bierhals - Sophomore - Goalkeeper - Division II - Maryville University-MO - Independent
Last year was Maryville University’s first year competing in field hockey. It was also Liz’s first year playing collegiate field hockey. Liz stepped into goal and never left, playing every minute of every game.
Tia Sansone - Sophomore - Forward - Division II - Maryville University-MO - Independent
Last year, as a freshman, Tia led her team scoring and points. That included the game winning goal against Lindenwood.
Here is a spreadsheet with all of the offensive statistics for each field position player. Because there are both offensive and defensive players listed, it doesn’t make sense to rank them in any way other than by alpha sequence. Only on Playing On Sports, can you see all of the statistics of all of the Missouri and Kansas athletes.
And here are all of the statistics for every goalkeeper:
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