Playing together since their freshman year, Captains Kellie Walsh ’11, Shannon McSweeney ’11 and Summer Washburn ’11 lead Andover field hockey with passion and talent to set the same great example they looked up to as underclassmen. Though stacked with skill, Phillips Academy field hockey focuses primarily on effort and attitude, living by its motto, “Don’t settle.” Each captain embodies this approach with a love for both the team and the sport. Walsh, McSweeney and Washburn each came to Andover with a range of field hockey experience. While Walsh and Washburn were new to the sport, McSweeney had already established herself with her club team and Future’s program, a USA Field Hockey organization that develops young players. McSweeney has since gone on to play for the US National team, which took her to play in Argentina last Spring. All three girls take different positions on the field, which ties the squad together with a leader in every aspect of the game. Their leadership was especially evident in a matchup against Class-A competitor Loomis Chaffee School. The captains’ fierce desire to win was infectious and tangible in their success: McSweeney blocked every shot as goalkeeper, Walsh used quick and aggressive stick skills to get the ball, and Washburn netted two goals for a 3-0 victory. Despite a serious handle injury, Walsh has continued to be a strong leader on the sidelines and provide support for her teammates. The captains model themselves especially after older teammates who played before them. McSweeney, Walsh and Washburn started as the only three freshmen on the team during the 2007 season, where they dubbed themselves “The Three Musketeers.” Said McSweeney, “Field hockey was the first extracurricular I was involved in on campus; it was my family when I got here, and the perfect team to be on as a freshman– all the older girls and traditions made me feel welcomed right away. The team has done so much for me over three years, and I want to give back, and make for the underclassmen what the previous seniors made it for me.” “The team made it easy to acclimate to life at Andover during freshman Fall, with fifteen other girls looking out for me, especially the seniors and their love for the team and love for PAFH,” added Walsh. Now that the three have filled the shoes of the older girls who came before them, they hope to be just as welcoming. Said Washburn, “Not having any field hockey experience before coming to PA, I really looked to the older kids on the team to teach me what to do and how to act and play. I hope that this year I can pass on what I’ve picked up over the past three years form other captains and teammates and really show the younger kids what this team means to me, so that PAFH always has this special meaning and connection as a team for all future years.” All three captains agree that as far as goal-setting, the team just hopes to be the best that it can, and to continue improving. Said McSweeney, “We just need to keep improving every game, form a similar bond that we’ve had in the past, and help the new players to appreciate the importance and excitement of the team.”
