Milton field hockey squad turns ice hockey habits into Div. 2 contender

The Milton Wildcats arrived at the Walpole campus as the final undefeated team in Division 2. They left with a 1-0 loss to the three-time defending Division 1 state champions. The defeat ended a 10-0-3 season that had seen the program beat Walpole earlier in the year for the first time in decades.

Senior co-captain Piper Bergin viewed the loss as a necessary correction before the state tournament begins in two days. She said the team is disappointed but believes feeling this pressure now allows them to learn rather than facing it later in the postseason. The group views the stumble as fuel to keep pushing forward.

Coach Lindsey Scully, in her seventh year, attributes the team’s current standing to a tight-knit group that works hard and bonds off the field. The squad participated in summer leagues to build chemistry. Bergin noted that the team is close both on and off the pitch, creating a supportive environment that elevates play.

The program’s rise is linked to the success of Milton’s girls ice hockey team. That roster won its first state title last winter after reaching the TD Garden in the final. Scully estimates that 12 players on the current field hockey roster are also ice hockey players. She said those athletes bring a resilient mentality and a refusal to accept defeat that transfers directly to field hockey.

This confidence stems from years of development in the town’s youth field hockey program. Babson head coach Julie Ryan built a pipeline that now allows Milton to field three competitive teams. Scully said Ryan’s work introduces young athletes to the sport early. This creates a mindset where players do not doubt their ability to beat strong programs like Wellesley, Natick, or Needham.

The current roster features a balanced lineup of young talent. Sophomores Lindsay Butts and Theresa Gervasi anchor the defense. Junior goalie Caera Hart leads the back end. Sophomore Elise Hinckle is the team’s top scorer, followed closely by junior Lizzie Ahearn. Midfielders Alexandra Drane and Taylor Scully provide stability in the center of the pitch.

The loss to Walpole serves as a reminder that the three-time champions remain a threat in late November. Walpole senior captain Riley Halloran called the win a momentum booster. She said the victory proves the team can compete and silences those who doubted them. Halloran expressed confidence in the roster as the state tournament approaches.

In other Division 2 action, Andover drew a meaningful tie with Nashoba Regional on Monday. Senior midfielder Chloe Broderick took a hard blow to the hand but tightened her glove and stayed in the game. She cleared three consecutive corners in the closing minutes. Coach Bridget Morris noted that Broderick can play any position except goalie and understands the game at a high level.

Broderick’s performance highlighted her role as a reliable leader for Andover. Morris said the senior is the player coaches look to in critical moments because she grasps the flow of the match. The Golden Warriors can look back at the tie with confidence despite the physical toll on their star midfielder.

Milton’s schedule now shifts to the state tournament format. The team enters as a contender with a proven ability to beat top-tier opponents. The program has moved past its historical struggles, having started 0-2 in four of the last five seasons. The current group has replaced that early-season doubt with a track record of wins against traditional powerhouses.