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Field Hockey Help
Boston University senior goalie Kathleen Keegan, center, worked with Woodstock Academy field hockey goalies, left to right: Rachael Roberts, Olivia Stanikmas, Alina Michalski and Kailey LaChappelle on Jan. 12. Photo contributed by Lauren Gagnon.
The Woodstock Academy field hockey team welcomed a visitor on Saturday.
Kathleen Keegan, the senior goalie for the Boston University field hockey team, came to The Academy and gave a 90-minute clinic to four Woodstock Academy players; senior Olivia Stanikmas, junior Rachel Roberts, and sophomores Alina Michalski and Kailey LaChappelle.
“She did a lot footwork drills, a lot of higher-level technique and updated skills for ground work,” said Woodstock Academy coach Lauren Gagnon.
Keegan started all 20 games for the 12-8 Terriers this past season and earned Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week honors on two occasions. She finished with a goals against average of 1.67.
Keegan has also worked with the trainer for the English National team goalie, Maddie Hinch.
“She has a ton of experience,” Gagnon said.
The 5-foot, 6-inch Keegan is a Connecticut native, having graduated from Hall High School in W. Hartford. Gagnon coached her in the past with the HTC field hockey club.
“I couldn’t be happier for her. She is an amazing kid. She told me that someday, she was going to play D-I and she was this tiny little thing and you’re like, ‘That would be awesome, but who knows’ because it’s the pipe dream for everyone. She always put in the work and was totally committed. I always saw her at UConn games just watching. She was so focused on the game,” Gagnon said.
Keegan has possibly played her last field hockey.
She plans to go into finance after graduation.
Stanikmas, the starting goalie for the Centaurs, is currently looking at a number of colleges both academically and athletically. She plans to continue to play field hockey and Gagnon feels that it’s possible she will receive a Division II offer.
Roberts will be doing Futures with Centaur teammates Avery Jones and Eliza Dutson which Gagnon feels will be beneficial come the fall.
Gagnon was also pleased to see the goalies get a little attention for a change.
“I have very little time to dedicate to just four kids when I have 55 others. It’s huge for them to be able to have someone dedicated to just looking at their body position and distribution of weight and all that type of stuff that can be real nit-picky but can translate to huge gains,” Gagnon said.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy