One of the oldest of competitive pastimes, the sport of field hockey dates back well before the Ancient Olympic Games. People have played games very much like field hockey for thousands of years.
In ancient Egypt and Greece, teams used a curved stick, club, or horn to move a ball against a goal defended by an opponent. Hockey is a popular game in India and Pakistan. It was played for hundreds of years before other countries like England modernized it.
In Inner Mongolia, China, the Daur people have been playing Beikou (a game similar to modern field hockey) for about 1,000 years. European settlers in Chile in the 16th century described a hockey-like game of the Araucano Indians called chueca (or 'the twisted one' from the twisted end of the stick used by players).
Field hockey game in progress
The Evolution of Modern Field Hockey
The sport began to take on a more modern form in England in the middle of the nineteenth century. The modern game of field hockey evolved in England in the mid-19th century. A game called hockey was played in English public schools in the early 19th century.
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The first men’s hockey club, Blackheath, was formed in 1849, and led to the establishment of the Hockey Association in London in 1886. Hockey first appeared on the Olympic program at the 1908 London Games and again in 1920 at Antwerp.
The sport was again featured on the program at Amsterdam in 1928 and has been an Olympic sport ever since. Hockey's popularity increased with that of other team games.
By 1874 they had begun to draw up rules for their game, including banning the raising of the stick above shoulder height and stipulating that a shot at goal must take place within the circle in front of it. An association was formed in 1875, which dissolved after seven years, but in 1886 the Hockey Association was formed by seven London clubs and representatives from Trinity College, Cambridge.
In the late 19th century, largely due to the British Army, the game spread throughout the British Empire, leading to the first international competition in 1895 (Ireland 3, Wales 0). The International Rules Board was founded in 1895, and hockey first appeared at the Olympic Games as a men's competition at 1908 Olympic Games in London, with only three teams: England, Ireland and Scotland.
In 1924, the International Hockey Federation (FIH, Fédération Internationale de Hockey) was founded in Paris, under the initiative of the French man, Paul Léautey, as a response to hockey's omission from the 1924 Paris Games. The founding members were Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Hungary, Spain, and Switzerland.
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Women's Field Hockey: A Parallel Development
Originally considered far too dangerous for female participation, field hockey quickly became popular with women whose previous introduction to sport included the "socially acceptable" outdoor activities of croquette and lawn tennis. Women's hockey developed separately from men's hockey. Women do not seem to have played hockey widely before the modern era.
By 1887, the first women’s hockey club appeared in East Mosley, England, and was quickly followed by the creation of the All England Women’s Hockey Association in 1889. Women's hockey was first played at British Universities and schools, and the first club, Molesey Ladies Hockey Club, was founded in 1887. The first national association was the Irish Ladies Hockey Union in 1894, and though rebuffed by the Hockey Association, women's hockey grew rapidly around the world.
The International Federation of Women's Hockey Associations (IFWHA) was established in 1927, though this did not include initially many continental European countries where women played as sections of men's associations and were affiliated to the FIH. It took until 1982 for the two bodies to merge, but this allowed the introduction of women's hockey to the 1980 Olympic Games, where, as in the men's game, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands have been consistently strong.
Sketch of woman field hockey player, 1906
Field Hockey in the United States
Appalled at the parlor games passing for exercise among young American women, Applebee borrowed some sticks and a ball and staged the first hockey exhibition in the United States behind the Harvard gymnasium. The game received an enthusiastic response, and Applebee quickly spread the sport to some of the region's most prestigious women's schools.
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By the early 1920’s, several colleges and clubs sponsored field hockey teams for women. With similar humble beginnings, men’s field hockey began in the United States with the first official match between the Westchester Field Hockey Club (Rye NY) and the Germantown Cricket Club (near Philadelphia) in 1928.
That same year, the Field Hockey Association of America was formed, and in 1930, the FHAA became the fourteenth member of hockey's international federation, the Federation International de Hockey (FIH). First men went on to compete in other Olympic Games in 1936, 1948, 1956, 1984 and 1996.
In April of 1993, the FHAA and the USFHA, at the urging of the United States Olympic Committee, merged to form one national governing body for both women’s and men’s field hockey. Today, nearly 19,000 players, coaches, officials and fans enjoy the benefits of USA Field Hockey membership.
With programs ranging from elite teams and futures identification to club hockey and grassroots development, today's USA Field Hockey continues to raise public awareness and promote the sport as a lifetime activity. The widespread interest in field hockey on the Teachers College campus at that time is hard to overestimate.
UNI players occasionally advanced to this level. But it was not until its last year of intercollegiate field hockey competition that UNI participated in a true conference championship tournament.
In 1980, the field hockey team had begun to face serious challenges off the field. 1982 was the last season for intercollegiate field hockey at UNI.
In September 1982, Coach Green offered an explanation for the university's decision to eliminate the sport. She stated that field hockey was not widely played in Iowa high schools, so UNI team members frequently had little experience when they joined the team.
The Panther field hockey team played its last home match on October 20, 1982, a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Luther College. Sheryl Sigmund scored the last goal for the Panthers.
Field hockey was an extraordinarily popular participatory sport at the University of Northern Iowa for many years. Both men and women participated initially.
East End Field Hockey Coaches and Their Accomplishments
Several coaches have made significant contributions to field hockey in the East End. Here are a few notable figures:
- Guerin: Coached for East End Field Hockey from 2015-19 and was the Varsity coach at Port Jefferson 2020-2021. Guerin received her USA Field Hockey Level 1 certification in June of 2019.
- Groneman: Took over as the Varsity Field Hockey Coach at Manhasset High School Fall 2023. Groneman received her USA Field Hockey Level 1 certification in June of 2019.
- Lauren Link: Is the current Head Varsity Coach at Smithtown West.
- Kayla McKeveny: Is the current Assistant Varsity Coach at Manhasset High School.
- Kylie Peregoy: Is in her senior year at Adelphi University.
Detailed Achievements of Coaches
Guerin was named All-Tournament, 2x All-County Player, All-Long Island Player, All-State Player, MSG Varsity’s MVP, and the Class ‘C’ State Championship MVP. She was the 2009 Leading Goal Scorer in Suffolk County and Second Leading Goal Scorer on Long Island.
She helped lead her team to win 4 Suffolk County Class ‘C’ Championships, 3 Long Island Class ‘C’ Championships, 2 Class ‘C’ State Semi-Finalist appearances, and 1 Class ‘C’ State Championship Game coming home with the Silver Medal. She played one year for the Long Island Fishsticks and one year for Strong Island Field Hockey.
Guerin continued playing hockey at SUNY Cortland from 2010-14 where she became a 2011 SUNYAC Champion and made two NCAA appearances between 2010-11. She also played for SUNY Cortland’s Club Ice Hockey team.
After college graduation in 2014 she returned to Port Jefferson High School as an Assistant Varsity Coach. She served as the Assistant Coach for Molloy College in 2016. She coached at Shoreham-Wading River from 2017-2020.
Groneman was named State University of New York Athletic Conference’s (SUNYAC) Rookie of the Year in 2009 and helped her team to a undefeated 2009 regular season (19-1 final record), 16-5 record in the 2010 Playoff Season run and a 2011 SUNYAC Championship.
Groneman was also a member of the Softball team at SUNY Cortland who were crowned SUNYAC Champions in 2010 and 2011. Groneman also is the owner of LI STIX Field Hockey, an adult field hockey league that encourages athletes to play post high school and college. Groneman currently resides in East Islip, NY, is a Special Events Coordinator at Suffolk County Community College.
Coach Link played collegiate field hockey for SUNY New Paltz from 2010-2014 where she was a four-year starting midfielder. Coach Link was named on the SUNYAC All-Tournament Team, All-SUNYAC Team, NFHCA National Academic Team, and SUNYAC All-Academic Team.
In her junior and senior years, Coach Link helped lead her team to win its first ever SUNYAC Championships in 2013 & 2014. Prior to playing at New Paltz, Coach Link played four years of varsity field hockey at Smithtown West where she was named captain and earned All County Honorable Mention in 2008 and All County and MVP in 2009.
Coach McKeveny played as a forward/midfielder at SUNY New Paltz from 2013-2016. During her time as a hawk she helped her team win 3 consecutive SUNYAC Championships (2013-2105). She was a four year starter earning the most points in program history (104 points, 42 goals, 20 assists).
In 2013, she was named the SUNYAC tournament MVP. She earned spots on the All SUNYAC and All Tournament teams each year as well as North Atlantic All Region teams (2014-2016). In 2016, she was named the SUNYAC fall scholar athlete of the year. Prior to playing ay New Paltz, Coach McKeveny played at Sachem East High School. She helped her team win back to back NYS championships in 2011 and 2012. She was a 2x all state and all county player.
Coach Ackerman played collegiate field hockey at SUNY New Paltz from 2012-2016 where she was a four-year starting forward/midfielder. While at New Paltz Coach Ackerman helped lead her team to 4 SUNYAC Championships, was named a two-time Longstreth/NFHCA All-American, two-time NFHCA All-Region honoree, SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year, three-time All-SUNYAC honoree, and SUNYAC tournament MVP.
Coach Ackerman was named to the SUNYAC All-Decade team and was inducted into the New Paltz hall of fame in 2022. Prior to playing at New Paltz, Ackerman played varsity field hockey at Smithtown East.
Coach Kylie is in her senior year at Adelphi University. At Adelphi, she started 61 of 62 games at defense, tallying 2 goals and 8 assists. she finished her career totaling 18 defensive saves. She was named NE10 defensive player of the week three times and NFHCA defensive player of the year twice.
In her senior year, she was named to the NE10 Second team- All conference as well the NE10 Academic All conference team. Prior to attending Adelphi University, she played at Patchogue Medford High school where she was a four year varsity starter and a three year varsity captain.
She was a two time All-County selection her junior and senior year and was named All-County Honorable Mention her sophomore year. She was selected to play in the 2019 Suffolk All star Game. She was recognized as the Suffolk County Exceptional Senior.
The United East Conference
The United East is excited to begin its second year sponsoring field hockey, highlighted by the addition of two new programs. This year, six teams will play under the conference banner as St. Last year, Keystone went undefeated in conference play en route to the first ever United East Champion title.
The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College.
Here's a look at some of the teams and their coaches' outlooks for the 2024 season:
- Keystone College: Coming off a perfect 3-0 conference record, second-year head coach Erin McGinley has scheduled a tough non-conference schedule to help the team prepare. Coach’s Outlook: “We are extremely excited for this season and the new opportunity every year presents! We have a very competitive schedule, and are looking forward to our returners leading this team, as well as seeing our freshman grow and develop and being an integral part of our team."
- Cedar Crest College: Kate Cochran has taken the head coaching reins in 2024 as the Falcons look to take the conference crown. Coach’s Outlook: “We are putting in the work and have our eyes on the prize. Our team is gelling quickly and is chomping at the bit to get started with game play."
- Wilson College: Wilson looks to emulate a solid 2023 season as the Phoenix finished the season with an overall record of 9-6. Coach’s Outlook: “We are really excited for the upcoming season."
- Lancaster Bible College: The Chargers head into 2024 with some big goals as Becky Elliott leads the squad in her seventh year as Head Coach. Coach’s Outlook: "We are looking forward to an exciting and challenging season. Our returners have been battle tested, playing almost every minute of every game over the last several years. They are tough and hungry! Our non-conference opponents will help us get ready for a more competitive conference play this year, as we add St Mary’s and Penn State Harrisburg. It will make for a fun and exciting October."
- St. Mary’s College of Maryland: St. Mary’s College of Maryland looks to make a splash in its first season with the United East as the Seahawks join the conference.
- Penn State Harrisburg: History will be made as Coach AJ Misselhorn leads the Lions in the program’s first official season. Coach’s Outlook: “ This young team has a a great variety of players from different High Schools, ready to start our first season in Penn State Harrisburg history."
The Eastern Connecticut State University and Keene State College will meet in the 2025 Little East Conference (LEC) Field Hockey Championship Tournament Final Saturday after winning their respective semifinal matches Thursday. No. 1 Eastern Connecticut 2, No. title game at Rick McCarthy Field, facing the Owls for the third time in as many title game appearances, but first time at home.
Second-seeded Keene moved into its 23rd final in the 27-year history of the championship by rallying for a 3-2 penalty-stroke shootout over third-seeded University of Southern Maine Wednesday night.
With the Eastern defense bending but not breaking in the fourth quarter, Sanson was able to deliver the knockout blow when she was awarded a penalty stroke after an Eastern shot bounced off the body of a defender in front of the goal. With the goal, Sanson tied program records for goals in both a season (15) and a career (37).
USM controlled play over the opening 30 minutes, outshooting the hosts 8-4. The second half was a different story, as the Owls outshot the Huskies 23-2. Diamondstein earned the decision in goal after making five saves and denying three of six shootout attempts.