The Worcester State University field hockey team held a fall senior day ceremony on Saturday, celebrating the Class of 2021's final practice of its traditional fall season. The team is still hopeful that the class has not played its final game for Worcester State, with the potential for an abbreviated season in the spring. Regardless, the team still elected to honor its seven seniors this fall, coincidentally on the exact date that would have been Senior Day, had the season not been cancelled.
The event, during the team's final scheduled fall practice slot, was originally slated to take place on Coughlin Field, but was forced inside to the Wellness Center's Multipurpose Gymnasium due to weather. Friends and family of seniors and underclassmen, as well as a handful of Worcester State field hockey alumni, joined the event via video call. The seniors were introduced one by one, as they would have on a traditional Senior Day, and were presented with gifts from the team. At the end of the event, the non-seniors performed a skit for the seniors, a tradition within the program.
Below is the full script that was read as the seniors were introduced.
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Since the start of its Worcester State field hockey careers, the Class of 2021 has played in 273 games, scoring 27 goals and 25 assists for 89 total points. In large part thanks to the Class of 2021, the team has combined for an overall record of 47-16 in the last three years. In Little East Conference play, the team has won 30 games and lost only four. The class’ crowning achievement came a season ago, when the Lancers took home the first LEC Championship in program history, defeating Keene State 6-0 at John F. Coughlin Field.
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The first field hockey senior, a forward from Sandwich, Mass., is #6 SAMMI SOUKE.
Sammi has appeared in 31 career games for Worcester State, scoring four goals and tallying one assist to total nine points in her career. Her first collegiate goal came on September 19, 2017 in a win over Framingham State.
“Sammi has faced so much hardship during her time as a student-athlete, and you would never know,” said Worcester State head field hockey coach Alexa Carlson. “She has worked so hard to better herself as a player and has battled through two serious season-ending injuries. Despite all of this, Sammi has some of the best stickwork on our team and knows how to put the ball in the net when it really counts. She put the work in day in and day out to better herself. Through all of her injuries, Sammi has been the perfect teammate, which is a testament to her incredible character.”
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The next senior, a midfielder from Charlestown, R.I., is #10 ALEXA BOBBIN.
Alexa has appeared in 62 career games in her Worcester State career, scoring five goals and tallying 12 assists to total 22 points as a Lancer. During her career, she was a two-time Little East All-Academic selection.
“Alexa is the heart and soul of our team,” said Coach Carlson. “Her passion for the game and her teammates is second to none. She outworks everyone she plays against, and has improved tenfold during her time at Worcester State. She is always asking how she can improve and has consistently been one of the fittest players on our team these past four years. She is a true leader on and off the field and the epitome of what it means to be a student-athlete at Worcester State University.”
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Next up, a forward from Leominster, Mass., #11 LAUREN FLEMING.
Lauren has appeared in 36 career games for Worcester State, scoring two goals and tallying three assists for seven career points for the Lancers. Lauren was named to the Little East All-Academic Team in 2018 and 2019.
“Lauren has been a team player since her first day at Worcester State,” said Coach Carlson. “Her character and work ethic are two of her most admirable qualities. Lauren works harder than anyone else on the field and will play any position asked of her. Lauren never settles for less than her best and is always asking how she can improve after every single game. Lauren is steady and consistent and will do whatever is best for the team, no questions asked.”
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The fourth senior, a midfielder from Warren, Mass., is #14 SARAH DUFF.
Sarah has appeared in 63 career games for Worcester State, scoring six goals and tallying 13 assists to total 25 career points as a Lancer. Sarah has made five defensive saves in her career and scored one game winning goal. She is a two-time Little East All-Academic Team selection, and was a 2019 First Team All-Conference honoree.
“Sarah is steady and consistent,” said Coach Carlson. “She knows how to control the pace of the game and has always been a force to be reckoned with in the midfield. She is poised and an absolute threat on the offensive and defensive line. Her calm demeanor and smooth stick skills have been an essential part of our tactical game play over the past few seasons. Sarah simply gets the job done.”
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The next senior, a forward from North Attleboro, Mass., is #15 KALEIGH COLE.
Kaleigh has appeared in 22 career games for Worcester State. Kaleigh has taken eight shots in her career, including four shots on goal.
“Kaleigh is undoubtedly the most positive player on our team,” said Coach Carlson. “She is motivating and always lending a helping hand or a kind word to her teammates. She is a student of the game and has improved tremendously during her time at Worcester State. She has a nose for the goal and is very dangerous in front of the net. Kaleigh is the epitome of a team player, and eats, lives, and breathes Worcester State field hockey.”
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The next field hockey senior, a midfielder from Norwood, Mass., #16 COLEY HAYES.
Coley has appeared in 59 career games for Worcester State, scoring 10 goals and tallying six assists to total 26 career points as a Lancer. As a defender, Coley has also made three defensive saves for the Lancers. She is a two-time First Team All-Conference selection.
“Coley is the definition of ‘lead by example,’" said Coach Carlson. “She works so incredibly hard and expects no fanfare for her successes. She is humble in her abilities, but has controlled both the midfield and defensive line in each of her four seasons. Her stickwork, vision of the field, and ability to take the ball off any opponent's stick have been true assets to our team and will be sorely missed.”
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The final senior, a goalkeeper from Chelmsford, Mass., is #90 JESS HOPKINS.
After transferring into Worcester State prior to her sophomore year, Jess has appeared in net for 44 career games, recording six shutouts and holds a winning record of 32-11. In her career, Jess has a save percentage of 69.4 with a goals against average of 1.44. She is a two-time Little East All-Conference selection.
“Jess has consistently been one of the best goalkeepers in the conference since arriving at Worcester State,” said Coach Carlson. “Her grit and tenacity in the net has helped lead our team to new heights. She is extremely modest in her skills and incredible teammate. She is motivating, a hard worker, and has kept us competitive in countless games. She stays calm in the most stressful of situations and is tough as nails. She will do impossible things to make sure the ball stays out of the net.”
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Congratulations to the Worcester State University Field Hockey Class of 2021, and thank you all for your contributions to the program!
#WooFH