Oct. 22, 2010
Jaime Hadley’s first three seasons on the University of Massachusetts-Lowell field hockey team were very successful.
This year, the Chelmsford High grad thinks the River Hawks can do even better.
“Each season has been strong,” said Hadley, a senior captain who has played with the River Hawks in the NCAA Division II title game in each of the last three seasons (UMass-Lowell lost to Bloomsburg of Pennsylvania each time). “We have a really strong senior class this year. The juniors are right up behind us. We have a large freshman class and it’s done well.”
After Saturday’s 6-0 victory against Southern Connecticut, the River Hawks were 13-0 (4-0 in the Northeast-10 Conference). They have only allowed two goals this season and Hadley earned NE-10 defensive player of the week honors three times.
“The key this season is that the team is really compatible with each other,” Hadley said. “We use our skills and work well together.”
The 11 shutouts UMass-Lowell has posted this season are a function of team defense. “We’ve had two defensive breakdowns,” Hadley said. “We move as a unit. When we don’t move as a unit, we have a breakdown. There are five of us, the four defenders and the goalie.”
At Chelmsford, Hadley was a Merrimack Valley Conference all-star as a sophomore and an All-Conference selection as a junior and senior while playing a variety of positions.
“In high school I did a little bit of everything,” she said. “I was recruited because I was in good shape and because I had some versatility. I knew all the positions and that helped me.”
With the River Hawks, she has improved even more.
“Since my freshman year my skills have developed,” Hadley said. “I’m able to break down the game. It’s all about situations. I know where to be on the field.”
Hadley is one of three former Chelmsford High players on the UMass-Lowell roster. Joining her are sophomore Chelsea Gillies and freshman Kayla MacDonald.
“They’re both strong players,” said Hadley, whose younger sister, Ali, currently plays for the Lions. “The coaching staff at Chelmsford is similar to the coaching staff here. [Chelmsford coaches] Maura Devaney and Sharon Cardillo instill a lot of discipline and fitness. They do a great job molding players.”
After playing in the national championship game and leaving with the runner-up trophy three times, Hadley hopes this is the year the River Hawks can take home the big prize.
“It’s a mix of emotions,” Hadley said about playing for the national title. “It’s going to be my last game. We don’t want to go there without coming home as champions."
Full article can be read here.
