The King Philip field hockey team is preparing for its third straight tourney appearance and Christina Hathaway is upbeat about the Warriors prospects.
The senior center back, who has been a captain the last two seasons, a Hockomock League all-star and the team MVP, firmly believes KP can set the bar high, advance in the sectional round and even contend for the state championship.
“What’s important is to focus on the task at hand and to keep striving and pushing each game,’’ said Hathaway, who will play field hockey next fall at the University of New Hampshire. “We’re a team that’s been together for three years, we’ve got talent and skills and our chemistry is excellent. A state championship would be a great way to end the season, and with a little luck and a lot of focus, it’s a realistic goal.’’
The pressure to become a state champion is enormous but the 5-foot-7 defender is no stranger to dealing with tense situations. Her mother, Liz, has been the Warriors’ head coach for the last 11 years and when her daughter joined the varsity as a freshman, it no doubt raised a few eyebrows.
“I worried about it my first year but it wore off,’’ Hathaway said. “There are some challenges. Some may think she favors me, but as long as I play hard, meet expectations and have some success, then that takes the pressure off. I love having her as my coach.’’
Hathaway’s success in field hockey has been off the charts. As a junior last year, she was a league all-star and her peers chose her as the team MVP, an honor she calls “a great thrill.’’
“The players voted and it meant so much,’’ Hathaway said. “It was humbling because it showed my teammates had respect for me. It also was a testament to lots of hard work.’’
A three-sport athlete, the 17-year-old Hathaway is a five-time captain — twice in field hockey, twice in basketball and once in lacrosse. Last spring, playing as a defender, she was a Hockomock League all-star in lacrosse and she also was selected as the Warriors MVP on defense.
Field hockey, however, is her passion — she’s been playing it since she was seven. And, the strengths of her game are many. She’s got speed and quickness, superb field awareness, she’s skilled, has endurance and agility, and she’s got a high field hockey IQ. So far this season, she has 8 goals and 9 assists and the Warriors are 11-1-1 at this writing.
“I’m an aggressive player whose competitive spirit is high,’’ Hathaway said. “I love playing center back because there are so many options. I like to pass and get the entire team involved, and working hard on defense is a must. Where I can improve is being more vocal on defense and being more confident in the offensive zone. I try to be vocal when helping teammates get into position on defense.’’
As a captain, Hathaway leads by example and also by being vocal. “I enjoy the role of captain,’’ she said. “I like the responsibility and the pressure that goes with it. If a younger player needs help or advice, I’ll try to be like a big sister and assist in any way.’’
Hathaway provided a big assist last year in KP’s match against Mansfield. The Warriors won, 3-2, and it was KP’s first victory over the Hornets since Hathaway’s mom became the KP coach. “Mansfield is a huge rival and that was a game I gave 110 percent and tried to take control on defense,’’ Hathaway said. “I got an assist in our 3-2 victory and it was a special moment for my mother.’’
One of four captains, Hathaway’s relationship with her co-leaders is a tight-knit bond. She has lots of admiration for Alli Meehan (center forward), Liz Surfari (right forward) and goalie Abby Campbell. Meehan is the league’s top scorer and Campbell is the circuit’s top goalie. “They’re talented, skilled and athletic,’’ Hathaway said. “All are passionate about field hockey, they’re vocal and they encourage and lift everyone’s spirit.’’
Hathaway’s mother, who has guided the Warriors to tourney appearances the last two years, obviously likes the way her daughter conducts herself as a leader. The coach, who was a three-sport athlete at Westford Academy and is in the school’s hall of fame, credits her daughter for her intense desire and competitive tenacity. “Christina is a key player on offensive and defensive corners,’’ Liz Hathaway said. “She’s strong, has good field presence and hits the ball hard. Her work ethic makes her a good role model.’’
An honor-roll student, Hathaway plans on majoring in kinesiology at UNH. She’s also planning on having a quality career in field hockey at UNH, where she was awarded a partial scholarship. “I hope to get some playing time as a freshman,’’ Hathaway said. “The coach, Robin Balducci, has lots of experience and is very disciplined and tough. She told me she likes my style of play but made no promises about playing time.’’
Relying on a competitive philosophy of playing to win and to have fun in athletics, Hathaway is a firm believer that sports have taught her tremendous life lessons. “It’s all about building relationships, working as a team and overcoming adversity,’’ she noted.
Hathaway, whose mother played four years of field hockey at UNH, will definitely take some of those life lessons and apply them to her daily routine on the Durham campus next fall. Her three-sport KP career will soon be ending and a new chapter will begin. “It’s bittersweet thinking about no longer playing at KP but I’m looking forward to new challenges next year,’’ Hathaway said.
Drawn to field hockey because “it’s a creative game,’’ Hathaway grasps the need to be a tactical player and rely on patience at times. She knows that approach will be a key when the tourney gets underway.
Issue Date:
November, 2017
Article Body:
Column: