Captains of the Week: Varsity Field Hockey

Kaylee Gong / The Exonian

By WILLIAM INOUE, HENRY WISE, and FORREST ZENG

The girls’ varsity field hockey team is one of Exeter’s strongest. So far, they’ve been very successful, with a total of four wins which they have picked up across this first half of the season. The entire team works together in order to create a cohesive environment, allowing for better synergy within games. While every member of the team contributes to the team’s success, there are two members of the team who are vital to the team’s atmosphere, performance, and more: seniors Natalia Ulbin and Hannah Hoyt.

  Ulbin and Hoyt are able to help the team progress further and work harder because of their strong love for the team and the sport as a whole. When asked about her origins in the sport, senior captain Natalia Ulbin commented, “I played for a middle school team and then I also played for a rec league that was in the town over. ”

Hoyt also started at a young age. “I first started playing field hockey when I was in fourth grade because many of my friends, and a few older girls who I looked up to, were playing,” she described. 

Later on, when asked what the most important thing a captain can do for a team, Ulbin added, “I think as captains, the most important thing for our team is to have good team chemistry, and also to lead by example, because I think if you don’t see your captains sprinting and hustling during drills, then you’re not gonna want to do that yourself.” The captain’s positive example-setting prompts the younger members of the team to always be getting better.

Creating a welcoming environment is essential as well. “Our team is very much split with age and this year we have a lot of new girls,” described Hoyt. “Because of this, one thing Natalia and I worked to do at the beginning of the season is focus on creating a welcoming and inclusive team culture.  This is something that we all continue to foster, and I think the team’s energy and chemistry is growing because of it.” 

Head coach Samantha Fahey praised their drive. “From the start, they both have wanted to push this program forward,” she said. “I have always appreciated how much they cared and the work they put in. They hold their teammates accountable and have always gained respect from them. The team looks to them for their guidance; a comfort knowing that they are both backing the team 100 percent. I have never questioned their commitment and where their loyalty lies.”

When questioned on what the Captains bring to the team environment, lower Catherine Miller commented, “Both Tal and Hannah have amazing leadership skills and even when we may not realize it, they help the team keep its composure during difficult games and practices. They always stay positive but also push us to work hard.” While not always obvious, their role as leaders is indispensable, especially in the team’s times of difficulty. 

“Natalia and Hannah, both inspire me to push myself and work that much harder on the field. I have learned so much from them throughout my time on the team and they are always helping me improve,” Miller also added, highlighting how the captains inspire and help the team be the best they can be.

Without all of the values of captains and players on the team, the players wouldn’t have had so many chances to have long-lasting memories. When asked about a favorite memory from her time at Exeter, Ulbin said, “My favorite memory was probably last year’s E/a game. It was a home game and we hadn’t really come close to beating Andover during my time here. We were down three to one, and then we came back with two goals.” 

Hoyt agreed and also described a recent game against Brooks recovering from injury. “We unfortunately were unable to come away with a win, but it was my first game back from an injury that occurred over the summer,” she said. “It felt great playing with the team, and I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”

These important moments of perseverance have helped shape them into the incredible leaders that they are for the team each and every day. 

Exeter’s field hockey captains contribute significantly to the team’s success day in and day out, whether it’s on the field during a tough practice, or building a strong sense of community outside of practice. Ulbin and Hoyt have already led the team to success and will continue to work with the team in order to help them thrive on the field and fulfill all their goals for the 2024 season.