Hudson Field Hockey Team Disbands After Struggling with Numbers

HUDSON- The girls’ field hockey team got the sad news that there will no longer be a team.

“It’s like a breakup,” said head coach Jennifer Wallingford.

At the end of the 2024 season, the team had 17 players. Once the season was over, six seniors graduated, leaving just 11 players. Their final record was 8-5-8.

In field hockey, an average team needs about 15 players, 11 on the field and four substitutes. With only 11 players returning, the team no longer had enough for a full roster.

This summer, the team struggled to find people who wanted to play, hovering between 8–11 players.

By August 8th, the ones who stayed were trying to recruit new players to keep the Hudson name on their jerseys.

The team had never been a co-op before, but they hoped to be the host school. To qualify for a co-op, a school must have 15 or fewer 9th–12th-grade athletes.

“We were the most hurt school in the area,” said Wallingford.

Although they can’t proudly wear their school’s uniforms anymore, they asked to co-op with Tahanto Regional High School. Now, senior Rylie Nelson, junior Liv Connolly, and junior Amanda Perry continue to represent Hudson on the new team. They are consistently contributing to goals and assists, and are

expected to make a big impact.

Wallingford was the head coach of the team. She’s been playing field hockey for 30 years starting her freshman year of high school and continuing at Smith College. In 1999, she graduated, got certified in teaching and begane coaching at Hudson High School.

“My goal as an athlete and as a coach is about getting stronger, being a team, and that we’re gonna have a good time. I wanted it to be a place where you could escape your school day,” said Wallingford.

She loves sports and being active. Coaching allows her to connect with students differently than in a classroom setting.

“I’m around students all day, but it’s a different relationship when coaching,” she said.

Wallingford emphasized how coaching builds mutual trust.

“In athletics, we have the same goal. I want to get better at field hockey. I want to beat that team. It allows you to be on the same page,”  she said.

There are moments that she will miss deeply.

“When I was on a walk passing Assabet’s girls’ soccer practice, they were huddled up saying their goodbye. It reminded me of what I was missing, and I was heartbroken,” said Wallingford.

Wallingford is unsure about continuing to coach, but hasn’t ruled it out completely.

“I’m not saying no to anything yet,” she said, “but my instinct is no.”

She added that when a sport becomes co-op, it often feels more permanent, and it’s hard to keep the momentum going.

“It’s not that I’ll just miss coaching, I’ll also miss field hockey in my life,” Wallingford said

Despite the change, Wallingford and goalie coach Laurie Sachs have already seen the first three games and planto cheer on the players all season.

History teacher Maeve Plassche has also been affected by the team’s end. She’s played field hockey for ten years, starting in 8th grade, continuing through high school, and later played on a college club team. In her second year of teaching, she coached Hudson for one season.

Plassche noticed how important everyone is to each other.

“They were family. They always did team dinners, spirit days, had inside jokes, and everyone wanted to be there, which isn’t always the case with high school sports.”

Plassche described a special moment that highlighted the team’s spirit and what she’ll miss.

“After each game, Coach Wallingford would give stickers to the players to put on their sticks. The stickers said things like ‘hustle’ or ‘greatest defense,’ and they would get one if they scored a goal. They always took the time to celebrate the players and their hard work, says Plassche. 

However, Coach Plassche remains hopeful.

“If Hudson can bring the team back, I would come back to coaching.”

A long-time player on the team,  Perry, has been playing field hockey since fifth grade. She’s been committed to the high school team for five years.

She started playing for the high school as a seventh grader due to low JV numbers at the time.

“I’m sad because I can’t wear the Hudson colors anymore,” said Perry.

Perry’s favorite part of playing is focused on the people. 

“Everyone is really nice and welcoming. It’s a really good environment to play in.”

When asked if she thinks Hudson could have a team again someday, Perry said,  “Probably not unless they build up more of a youth program.” 

On the new co-op experience, she said,

“The coaches are good and constructive with the players, and they work hard to make us feel welcome and make it feel like it’s a family.” 

Though Hudson is no longer hosting its own team, and the future remains uncertain, they look to the positives of co-opting. 

“I’m glad that it happened so that we can still play,” said Perry.