Natick High’s field hockey team missed qualifying for tournament play last year by one game, finishing with a 6-8-4 record in Ann Burnes’ first campaign as head coach.
he Redhawks’ three senior captains — midfielders Abby Verdelli and Kayleigh May and defensive back Sophie Burr — have one goal, and one goal only, that’s dominating their thoughts as the season is about to begin. They want to qualify for the playoffs and go deep into the late rounds.
Following is a look at Natick’s captains, their thoughts on last year and how they’re focusing on their team’s strengths to make 2016 a turning point in the program’s drive to enhance its status in the Bay State Conference.
Abby Verdelli
The 5-foot-7 center midfielder was a captain last year and also a first-team all-star in the conference. Excellent in transition, she’s patient on offense but shifts gears quickly and gets more aggressive on the defensive end.
Verdelli’s strengths include her speed, stick-work, endurance and passing. It’s those attributes she’ll rely on, and also a host of talented teammates, for Natick to earn a playoff berth.
“This is my fourth year of field hockey and I haven’t been to the tourney yet,’’ she emphasized. “I won’t be satisfied until we make it. We improved so much last year and just missed by one victory. I firmly believe that we could win it all because we lost only one starter, we’ve got talent and our sophomores and junior will be contributors.’’
Verdelli used last year’s first game, against powerhouse Walpole, as a reference point that showed the Redhawks are an emerging force. “We lost but the way we worked and the effort we put forth was something to see,’’ Verdelli recalled. “Against one of the best teams in the state, our potential shined brightly.’’
As a captain once again, Verdelli indicates she’ll lead by example and by being vocal, with the latter being employed less. “Our team is like a family and the girls all respond in a positive fashion,’’ she said. “Our squad has some incredible pluses.’’
A good student, Verdelli isn’t sure where she’ll attend college but she plans on giving field hockey a try at the intercollegiate level. She’s bullish on Burnes, calling her coach “a motivator whose positive outlook helped the team become close-knit. Burnes commented on her veteran captain, saying “Abby provides a strong presence on the field, she’s a strong competitor who’s got a good sense of humor off the field.’’
Kayleigh May
The 5-foot-5 May, who also runs track and plays lacrosse, begins her third varsity season of field hockey in an ultra-positive mode for two reasons — her teammates and her coach.
“It’s realistic to talk about getting into the tourney because our team is fundamentally sound, it’s motivated, talented and very much like family,’’ May noted. “Coach Burnes did an awesome job starting on day one. She connected with all of us. She’s not only a good motivator, but she’s also a very good instructor.’’
May’s outstanding ability as a midfielder is linked to her superb endurance, speed, stick-work and tackling. “I’m okay in transition but I can keep improving,’’ she noted. “I can also be a better passer and limit my hacking infractions.’’
A captain who’ll lead by example, May says her individual goals this season are “to continue to improve in practice and in games and to be the best leader I can be.’’
A National Honor Society student, May singled out last year’s triumph over Framingham as one of her best efforts. “We played that game on grass and there was a lot of action in the midfield area,’’ May recalled. “I played well on both offense and defense. Hopefully, this season we can give Walpole and Wellesley a strong battle. Those teams are the best in our conference.’’
Unsure of where she’ll attend college, May hopes to keep playing field hockey, even if it’s at the club or intramural level.
Optimistic about Natick’s tourney chances, May likes her teammates’ “being in good physical shape and being serious about qualifying for the playoffs.’’
Burnes labels May as “one of the hardest workers I know’’ and continued saying “Kayleight maintains a high level of fitness and leads by example with her strong work ethic. She understands how to work with the offense and defense in transition.’’
Sophie Burr
At 5-foot-2, Burr may be small but she usually comes up big in her role as a defensive back. Strong on ball control, she’s also an adept passer, able to break up offensive drives, tackles well and has superb field sense.
“My style is aggressive but I’d consider myself as a calculating player who analyzes plays by assessing how they’ll unfold,’’ she said. “My individual goals this season are to improve daily and be a solid leader. As for our team, I know we can qualify for the tourney and advance. The key is to be peaking at the right time. Our players have been together for a long time, they’re super motivated and they can play the game.’’
Burr recalled Natick’s loss to Wellesley last year but she also regards that clash as a game that displayed the Redhawks’ desire. “We stepped up against a strong foe, played hard, gave an incredible effort and meshed well on defense. There’s no doubt that Wellesley and Walpole will be strong squads once again.’’
A National Honor Society student who might continue playing field hockey in college, Burr suffered a fractured hand and was forced to miss four games last year. A big fan of her coach, she calls Burnes “a motivator who stresses basics and gets her players to work extremely hard.’’
Here’s how Burnes regards her defensive stalwart: “We benefit from having Sophie’s determined presence in the backfield. She’s a vocal presence for her teammates on the field and shows a fiery competitive spirit in her play. Sophie’s leadership during defensive corners will be important when we face some of the stronger team’s in our conference.’’