The game begins as the sound of the whistle echoes down the field. With a light tap to the ball, the girls are off. Senior Izzy Drescher dribbles toward the goal and with a sudden strike, the ball flies past the opposing team’s goalie. It hits the net and the girls score their first point.

In order for the winning tradition to continue, there must be those with the mentality and drive to make it happen. Leadership plays a dynamic role in the school’s field hockey program. With tough practices consisting of hard running and intense drills, strong leadership is a necessity for the success of the team. However, choosing players for leadership positions is not an easy decision. Varsity Field Hockey Head Coach Julie Swain uses a rigorous process and searches for certain characteristics to choose her team leaders.

“[Leaders are] players who lead by example, put the team before themselves, and bring positive energy every day,” Swain said.

Senior co-captains Maddy Humphrey and Susie Rhea, along with Drescher have been friends since elementary school. They  attended Linkhorn Elementary and were elected Student Cooperative Association (SCA) officers in the fifth grade.Furthermore, the three seniors have been playing field hockey together since they first met and are now the only seniors on the school’s team.

According to Rhea, the three became fast friends in elementary school due to their common interests and goals.  They grew to love each other and the game.

The camaraderie that Drescher, Humphrey, and Rhea have shared through the years helps them each time they pick up a field hockey stick. Stepping onto the field with such old friends is a positive influence, not only for the three seniors, but also for the rest of the team.

“It helps when you have known someone for so long because you have trust. When we play, we have to have trust and being ‘sisters’ just helps a thousand times more,” Humphrey said.

This season, the leaders all agree that motivation is a key factor to success. And, they find motivation in each other.

“I think we are all so different,” Drescher said. “Each of us brings something special the field. So when you put us together, we are unstoppable. We would be nothing without each other.”

The bond the seniors share and the expectation of excellence that they inspire is important to the development of younger players on the team. As role models to the rest of the girls, they are critical to the future of the school’s team.

“We will miss our three seniors and their contributions, but we have a relatively young team that we hope will continue our tradition of excellence,” Swain said.

Neither Drescher nor Rhea plan on playing field hockey in college. However, Humphrey will attend school at Ohio State University and is planning to continue her field hockey career. Even though the three captains will be separated, the girls will remain best friends.

“The Cox Field Hockey team has taught me that I do have true friends and our friendships will last forever. I have my team’s back against anyone and I would do anything for my girls,” Humphrey said.