Oct. 3, 2011

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Her sister, Laura, was a second-team All-American field hockey player at Merrimack College.

Her brother, Jeff, and mother, Mary, both played basketball for the Warriors. Her father, David, is also a Merrimack alum.

So when it came time for Annie Hansbury of Plaistow to pick a school, it was the easiest decision of her life.

UMass Lowell?!

"I saw Lowell when my sister played," said Annie, the sole captain of the defending Division 2 national champion River Hawks field hockey team. "I just loved the way Shannon (Hlebichuk) coaches and love the way they played. As soon as I saw them, I knew I wanted to be here."

Certainly that was cause for ribbing?

"I got a lot of crap from my family, but it's all in fun," said Hansbury, a senior who has started the last three years.

Hlebichuk is a dogged recruiter and she knew she wanted Hansbury, regardless of the extensive Merrimack ties.

"We started looking at her as a sophomore or junior," said the 10th-year UMass Lowell coach. "We knew she had the skill set we look for. Then I found out the entire family went to Merrimack and knew it would be a battle."

Hansbury has never regretted the decision.

"I've had the best three years. It's the best decision I've ever made."

Last year was a magical 24-0 season culminating in the program's second national title.

"It was an amazing feeling. It was perfect. There is no other way to describe it," said Hansbury.

She played a big role, earning National Field Hockey Coaches Division 2 second-team All-American honors (16 players made each team.)

All-American Liz Day of North Andover and some other standouts moved on but the River Hawks have reloaded. At last look they were 9-1 and ranked fourth nationally.

A big key has been Hansbury's play at center-midfield.

"It's an integral position and she's done a fantastic job," said Hlebichuk. "It was a major switch from defense the last three years. She really had to focus on the physical part of it and she had to replace Liz Day."

Hansbury has eight assists, tied for the league lead.

Hansbury slugged a school record 14 career homers at Timberlane and helped lead the Owls to the Class L title in 2008. She's resisted the temptation to play both sports.

"My senior year was an awesome note to end on," she explained. "I thought of picking up the bat and glove again but I like field hockey. (Field hockey teammate) Ali Ferraro is on the team. I cheer her on."

After the season, her competitive sports career will be over.

"I definitely need to give my body a rest," said Hansbury, one of 10 players Timberlane field hockey coach Mim Ryan has currently playing college field hockey. "I don't know if I can give it up cold turkey."

Hansbury hopes to become a teacher-coach and Hlebichuk said that would be a perfect fit.

"I know she'll be in coaching. Field hockey is in her blood. I think she'll be just a great coach," said Hlebichuk.

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The River Hawk field hockey team also features freshman defender Carrie Dresser from Timberlane, who has appeared in five games, freshman defender Nicole Pacheco from Pinkerton and assistant coaches Kerry Dudley of Haverhill and Chelsey Feole of Windham.