Choate attackers desperately shot balls at the the net as they scrambled to recover from a two-goal deficit against Andover Field Hockey on Sunday afternoon.
The Choate attackers were not victorious in their attempts. Andover goalie and Post-Graduate (PG) Hayley Silva ’15 blocked shot after shot to seal a 3-1 Andover victory.
“[Silva] is the backbone of our team,” said Anna Fucillo ’15. “She is always communicating and letting us know what’s going [on] around us. Her ability to run our defense has really helped us thus far.”
A PG from Newtown Square, P.A., Silva has allowed only 11 goals in eight games for Andover this season. Opponents have averaged 1.4 goals per game against Andover, while Andover has averaged 3.3 goals per game. Armed with Silva’s protection of the net, Andover holds a 7-0-1 record to begin the season.
Silva began playing field hockey at the age of 13 and quickly developed a sense of the game.
Midway through her first season as a defender, Silva’s talent and field hockey IQ earned her a spot in the net.
In the summer before her ninth grade year, Silva tried out for and made the WC Eagles, an indoor field hockey club team ranked at the time as the top team in the country by USA Field Hockey.
In tenth grade, Silva transferred to the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, P.A. Silva started her junior and senior years at Shipley and recorded over 250 saves in 16 games her last year. Silva also held onto four shutouts during her senior year at the Shipley School.
A two-year Captain at the Shipley School, Silva was named main line Athlete of the Week and all main line during her Senior year. Silva also earned All-League Honorable Mentions junior and senior year.
Silva’s superb play and leadership skills on the defensive end also earned her interest from colleges such as Williams, Dickinson, Babson, Colby and Bates.
In the end, Silva applied to nine colleges and was accepted to eight. So why, then, did Silva decide to do a PG year at Andover?
A wide grin broke out on Silva’s face at this question. “Andover has great field hockey, but also a diverse community that I just felt really comfortable in. I couldn’t pass that up. [Also], this team works really hard together but also has a lot of fun, and we’re just a close-knit group,” said Silva.
Andover has been fortunate to have Silva. With her in the net, the team hopes to find success during the championships.
“Hayley has been a much welcomed addition. She consistently makes game-changing saves and always communicates to the team. [She] has played a big role in our current record,” said Captain Eva Toffoloni ’15.
