Sister Act

Field hockey legacies thrive at Dickinson

October 27, 2009

Field hockey “sisters” recently reunited on campus. First row, from left: Megan Kelly ’08, Lauren Kelly ’12 and Erin Kelly DeRafelo ’03. Second row: Amanda ’10 and Erika Zavada ’06, Alex ’13 and Lizzie Boorse ’11 and Amanda ’13 and Becca Shaw ’09.

If you added together the sisters who are playing or have played field hockey recently for Dickinson, you’d get pretty close to a full team roster. With four current players having at least one sister preceding her on the team, virtually all that’s missing is the goalie.
Lauren Kelly ’12, midfield, is the third in her family to join the Red Devils—after Erin Kelly DeRafelo ’03 and Megan Kelly ’08—and she readily admits that a fierce competitive streak runs through the Kelly line. “Meg and I are extremely competitive because we’re so close in age and we’ve played with the same teammates,” she says. “We like to challenge each other, whether it’s just talking or actually hitting around with each other.”

According to Coach Alison Risser, Lauren not only is “coming into her own scoring-wise this year,” but chasing Megan’s records, which include most single-game assists (three) and sixth in most season points scored (26).

There’s also Amanda Shaw ’13, defensive back, who followed sister and fellow defender Becca ’09. And Erika ’06 and Amanda Zavada ’10 share not only the same position of forward, but the same number—something Erika requested when Amanda chose Dickinson. “College level [field hockey] is much more difficult and requires much more serious training,” says Amanda Zavada. “Having gone through it for four years, Erika knew what it was like and was really able to help me.”

Alex Boorse ’13, defensive back, decided to join sister Lizzie ’11, forward, after she played with her in high school and then cheered her on at Dickinson games. “I was always here to see Lizzie and watch the team play, and it was only a matter of time before I fell in love with Dickinson,” Alex says. Lizzie also is climbing the records ladder this year, ranking in the top 10 of most career goals scored (23), most career assists (11) and most career points scored (57).

As for competition, “We purposely don’t play each other one-on-one,” says Alex. “Not because we get too competitive, but because … we can’t help but crack up as soon as we go up against each other. As skilled a player as [Lizzie] is, I just can’t take her seriously when she’s trying to beat me.”

Risser notes that the legacies are set for more growth. Several first-year players also have younger sisters considering Dickinson. “It’s great to talk about this with new recruits,” she says. “They’re getting that vibe—that this is a great team and family.”