By: Shayanne Gaston

Sweat, blood and tears into the game they love. Long summer workouts and seasonal practices all for the title of being the best.

Year after year, multiple girls from Hershey High School’s Field Hockey team continue not only their education, but their athletics as well. Most girls go on to play division one field hockey, while some play division two. It takes a lot for a team to excel, yet Hershey’s Field Hockey program is still breeding collegiate level players.

Hershey Field Hockey alumni, Leah Umberger, who now plays midfield at Central Michigan, has some insight on why she thinks Hershey Field Hockey continues to breed collegiate level athletes. What is the reason behind the team’s success? According to Umberger, it’s the positive mindset that makes the program great.

“I think there has always been the atmosphere at Hershey where losing isn’t an option,” Umberger said, “Ultimately every girl on the current team as well as the teams of the past want to contribute and do what is best for everyone.”

Hershey’s mindset isn’t the only advantage that the field hockey players have. Their own outside experiences such as club teams give them an edge over others too. This is because playing year round allows them to advance their skills in the game.

Umberger said her PA Mavericks club team made her the division one player she is today. The exposure she had from playing with her club team is exposure that seasonal field hockey players do not receive.

Umberger isn’t the only player who had the exposure of a club team. Bridget Kilgallen, another Hershey alumni and former Alley Cats team member did as well.

“The extra practices and games helped my skills. The club tournaments were great for recruiting too,” said Kilgallen.

It’s evident that outside resources have helped Hershey’s field hockey players become Division I material, but Kilgallen doesn’t give all the credit to her club team.

Her coaches impacted her skill as well.

“We had coaches that knew how to get us ready for the next level by teaching us skills,” said Kilgallen.

Captain of the Field Hockey team, Lauren Lechleitner agrees that her coaches have elevated the team’s skill.

“Coach Ott is very knowledgable about the sport. She always has advice to give and she’s always honest with you which is really helpful,” said Lechleitner.

Ellen Ott is a new coach to Hershey’s Field Hockey team who was welcomed with open arms after playing with Maryland University for Field Hockey. As coach, Ott expects certain skills to be performed from her player’s in order to succeed.

“Coach Ott is huge on getting low in the circle,” Lechleitner said, “She’s also big on tipping the ball into the cage, so we do drills to work on those things.”

Not only does Ott expect an exceptional performance but also for captains to fulfill their responsibilities. As captain, Lechleitner has to ensure that the reputation of Hershey Field Hockey is maintained. In addition to maintaining the team’s reputation, Lechleitner is expected to be a leader.

“They [coaches] want us to set a good example for everyone and especially bring positivity to our team,” said Lechleitner.

Luckily, this isn’t too hard due to the team’s great chemistry which is another contributing factor to their success. Lechleitner said.

The girls on the team have a lot to do with their success over the years, but they are not the only factor.

“Hershey Field Hockey is great because we have so many people behind us and supporting us all the time”

There are a multitude of factors that contribute to Hershey’s consistency in forming collegiate field hockey players. According to Umberger there’s only one reason why Hershey is so great,  “Ultimately it comes down to guts, and Hershey has guts. We aren’t afraid to fail… it isn’t even a possibility.”