Former Olympian Works with Foxcroft Field Hockey Players
Former U.S. Olympic field hockey player Carrie Lingo came to campus last week to conduct a two-day clinic and she was impressed by what she saw from the 14 players who attended her first session.
“The team has a lot of speed,” Lingo said. “You can’t teach speed. We ran some plays designed for college level teams and they picked right up on it. If they learn one thing and take it to the next level then I feel they got something out of the clinic.”
It was Lingo's second visit to Foxcroft -- and a third is already planned! Last year, she worked with the team and spoke to the entire community about her experience playing on the national and Olympic teams.
This year, Athletic Director and Head Coach Michelle Woodruff put the word out and girls who live in the area or were able to make arrangements to stay with friends participated. Lingo was called away before her last planned session, however, and will return sometime in the next few weeks to work with the entire team.
This year, Athletic Director and Head Coach Michelle Woodruff put the word out and girls who live in the area or were able to make arrangements to stay with friends participated. Lingo was called away before her last planned session, however, and will return sometime in the next few weeks to work with the entire team.
Those in attendance last week included most of the varsity's returning starters, including 2014 All-State selections Pipsy S. ’16, Allison B. ’17, Lindsay W. ’17 and Laney M. ’16. Serena H. ’16, Charlotte S. ’16, Pia S. ’18, Marias B. ’16, Millie M. ’17, Jessie H. ’16, Leland B. '17, Elle L. ’17, Emily D. ’17 and new girls Haley B. ’19 and Grace M. ’19 also attended the clinic. Lilly MacDonald, an All-State player from the Class of 2014 who hopes to play at Washington and Lee University this fall, assisted by filming the clinic.
On Thursday afternoon (Aug. 13), Lingo worked with the players in the Mary Louise Leipheimer Gymnasium. “Actually that worked out better than being outdoors," said Lingo, "because the smoother surface inside is better for learning stick-handling skills.” said Lingo
Lingo conducted close to two dozen drills during the three-hour clinic, many of them focused on better ways to play defense and create scoring opportunities on faster surfaces.
On Friday morning, the group traveled to Evergreen Sportplex in Leesburg for a two-hour session on an outdoor turf field, followed by a wonderful lunch at Fireworks Pizza, courtesy of Laney's family. Later they had another two-hour session on their home field.
On Friday morning, the group traveled to Evergreen Sportplex in Leesburg for a two-hour session on an outdoor turf field, followed by a wonderful lunch at Fireworks Pizza, courtesy of Laney's family. Later they had another two-hour session on their home field.
"It was great to be able to work on several different surfaces," said Woodruff, who started and ended the "mini-camp" with two hours of fitness training and stickwork drills Thursday and Saturday mornings. Assistant Coach Caitlin MacNaughton joined her for the final workout.
Foxcroft does not play on an artificial turf field at home but faces the challenege of the faster surface in several away games and the state tournament. “If you can learn how to play on a fast surface it can translate to a grass field,” Lingo said.
Lingo said she was very impressed with the girls’ attitude. “The girls here are just lovely,” she said. “They pay attention and bond very well. They are very positive.”
Woodruff agreed that the minicamp should help get the season off to a good start.
“This is a great bonding experience for the team,” she said. “I hope that the thing they get most out of this is increased confidence.”
Lingo played on two U.S. World Cup teams and was named USA Field Hockey Female Athlete of the Year in 2009. She lives with her husband in Rehoboth Beach, DE, and since retiring has focused on serving her sport as a member of the U.S. Federation and Selection Committee and holding camps and clinics.
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.
