Meet the Team: 2026 Masters World Cup, USA Women’s O-40

How and when did field hockey first become your game?

It all started in a Vermont backyard. I was the youngest in a tight-knit pack of four cousins, and my oldest cousin, Zarabeth, was the first of us to pick up a field hockey stick. On holidays we'd all end up in her backyard while she taught us to play. Since I thought my big cousins and my big sister were the coolest people alive, of course I was going to do whatever they did. Zarabeth ended up coaching me in middle school while she was studying at UVM. Field hockey was family before it was ever a sport to me.

What's the field hockey moment you'll never forget?

My freshman year of high school, my hometown varsity program hadn't won a game in something like 10 years. That season, in our game-opener, we made it to overtime with a real chance to finally break the streak, and I scored the game-winning goal. It was the first time I felt the raw power of sport: what becomes possible the moment a group of people truly believes they can do something. It changed what our town thought of our program, and more importantly what we thought of ourselves. I was so proud to be part of that history-making moment. It cemented my love of the game, and all sports, forever.

What does it mean to you to still be lacing up — and to wear the USA jersey — at the Masters level?

At the Masters level it means even more, because nobody here is by accident. We've all chosen to keep showing up for this game and for each other, again and again, around careers, families, injuries, and life. Getting to represent my country in my 40s, alongside teammates who love this sport and this country as much as I do, and to travel the world doing it, is a privilege I feel every single time I lace up. I never take it for granted.

What would you tell someone who's on the fence about giving Masters a try?

It's worth it, full stop. When I was graduating high school, I used to cross games off the calendar hung on my family's fridge and cry, wondering if each one was the last time I'd play the sport and be with teammates I loved so much. There's a magic to team sport I've never found anywhere else.

How and when did field hockey first become your game?

I started playing field hockey in seventh grade. I had to stop playing soccer due to a knee issue. When I moved to my new school district in seventh grade, some girls asked me to play field hockey. I had no idea what kind of sport that was, but I agreed. Once I found out the goalkeeper could use their feet, I decided that was the spot for me.

What's the field hockey moment you'll never forget?

There are so many. Probably winning the ECAC championship game in 2001. Followed closely by beating Kutztown my freshman year after overtime followed by penalty strokes.

What does it mean to you to still be lacing up — and to wear the USA jersey — at the Masters level?

Most people who know me, know I love our country and that I bleed red, white and blue. I cannot think of a greater honor than to represent our country and sport at the highest level possible after the “national” team. I am grateful for these opportunities and I cannot want to show the world who we are at the World Cup.

What would you tell someone who's on the fence about giving Masters a try?

Come on out, even if you cannot afford it or do not think you want to travel internationally, you can still join the community and participate in stateside tournaments and training. The places field hockey has taken me, I never would have gone without field hockey taking me there.