For many field hockey athletes, the holiday season kicks off in conjunction with the National Hockey Festival. The biggest amateur field hockey event in the world commences on Thanksgiving Day and returned to Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, AZ for another year of holiday, hockey fun. This event generally attracts nearly 8,000 visitors to the local area. Seacoast United field hockey had two participating teams in this event this past week with one in each age division. For the past twenty-seven years, athletes, parents and college coaches have foregone the traditional Thanksgiving celebration of parades, feasts and football to be a part of the largest field hockey showcase event in a warm and sunny climate. More than 700 field hockey matches, played on 18 different fields, took place over the three day weekend. In addition to athletes and their families, an estimated 150 college coaches were attendance and eyeing players for a possible spot on a future college roster.

Our U16 team participating in pool Z came home as undefeated winners! Coach Meg Shea commented on this accomplishment, “This group was absolutely fantastic this week down in festival. Each individual was a positive impact both skillfully and tactically which allowed us to compete at a high level and go on to win our pool! Go Seacoast!!”

Seacoast United field hockey tallied a 1st place finish at the first ever Northeastern University Invitational 11 v 11 tournament.  The opposing teams consisted of several New England club teams such as Hockeymates, Cape Ann, Maine Majestic and a couple strong high school teams. The Seacoast team consistent of a mix of U19 and U16 players. Although many of the girls had never played together they quickly united as team and combined their speed, sticks skills and tactical knowledge to over power their opponents. Congratulations Seacoast players on your 6-0 record at the tournament.

U19 Players:  Jess Walsh, Melanie Jordan, Mary Claire Ecclesine, Kate McCauley, Merisa Dion, Gretchen Fowler, Amanda Tapparo, Laura Dimitruk, Katie Turner

U16 Players:  Lindsay Nerborne, Kelsey Leblanc, Paige Hefferan, Hannah Wellington, Colleen Fowler

We are happy to announce that our two teams performed well and had a great time in Florida at the Disney Showcase 2011.  The U19s held their own in a very tough pool however, their competition ended on Saturday in the fourth round pool play.   The U16 team also had a great showing at Disney Showcase. The Seacoast United U16 team was one of only 2 New England teams from either age group that continued play into in fifth and final round of pool play on Sunday.  Seacoast United U16 finished fourth in their pool, 7th overall for the entire tournament, bringing home both individual medals and the ESPN Disney Wide World of Sports Showcase trophy!

Registration for National Club Championship was February 1st, 2011 at 12pm EST.  Sixteen teams were registered for both the Under-19 and Under-17 divisions, with only 68 seconds separating the registration for the first and sixteenth teams!

We are very excited to announce that we will be sending TWO teams, one U19 and one U17 to USA Field Hockey’s Inaugural National Club Championship (NCC).  The NCC will be held at Sportsquest in Richmond, VA July 21-24, 2011.  This is a limited enrollment tournament with only 32 teams in each division.  More information regarding team tryouts will be coming in the spring...