BHS Field Hockey Team Eyes Another Playoff Berth

By KEN HAMWEY, 

Bulletin Sports Writer

Jules Kilduff hopes to achieve two goals as she begins her second year as Bellingham High’s varsity field hockey coach.

“Our first goal is to compete, improve and win,’’ she said. “The second objective is to qualify for the state tourney again and advance deeper into the playoffs.’’

During her rookie year last season, Kilduff guided her Blackhawks to a 4-11-5 record that was good enough to earn her Blackhawks a berth in the state tournament where it bowed, 4-0, to Cohasset in the first round. If Bellingham’s girls can keep improving in the challenging Tri Valley League and earn another tourney date, it will be the Blackhawks fourth consecutive playoff appearance. Jen Ryan’s 2021 and 2022 teams qualified in her last two years as head coach.

Kilduff served as the junior-varsity coach for two years when Ryan was at the helm, and the tandem combined to gradually elevate the program. More importantly, they ended a 13-year tourney drought.

“Our goals this year are realistic, and I’m optimistic we can achieve them,’’ said Kilduff. “The girls know they can compete, and they’ve got talent. However, they must stay focused and work as a team.’’

So far, the Blackhawks are off to a lukewarm start, going 2-3 in their first five matches. They’ve beaten Blackstone-Millville and Milford, but lost to Hopedale, Medway, and Medfield.

The 27-year-old Kilduff, who graduated from BHS in 2015 and was a captain in field hockey and softball, likes her team’s overall strengths. Only three seniors graduated from last year’s team, and of the 15 returnees, nine are seniors.

“We’ve got experience, we’re skilled and also very athletic,’’ she emphasized. “Our team chemistry and competitive nature are assets, and our field hockey IQ continues to develop. We’ll be strong on defense, but we need to sharpen our offensive ability. We’re striving to be more up-tempo and we’re working to be more creative on offense.’’

The leadership component — senior captains Mallory Berkeley (goalie) and Alyssa Sorget (forward/midfielder) — are an effective duo. 

“Both are quality leaders and team-first players,’’ Kilduff noted. “Mallory is instinctive, her footwork is awesome, and she’s relentless at stopping the ball. She’s quick and she’s dedicated. Alyssa is also quick. Her endurance is excellent and she gives 100 percent all the time. Very good in transition as a midfielder, she’s a good passer and is quick to the goal when she’s at forward.’’

Seniors Cassidy Leger, Abigail Pelletier, and Samantha McNamara, and junior Grace Kelley are capable defenders.

“Cassidy is effective at taking control of the ball and driving it hard,’’ Kilduff said. “A competitive player, she’s a solid stickhandler and a good communicator. Abigail is aggressive and controls the ball. An excellent passer, she works well with the other defenders and is a year-round player who’s very skilled. 

“Samantha is incredibly quick, has good footwork, is very energetic and reliable, and comes up with big saves. She’s dedicated and works hard to improve her skills and is very coachable. Grace is positive and very instinctive when stealing the ball. She also works well with her defensive teammates.’’

Sophomore Molly Cormier is a midfielder who has the ability to excel on offense. “Molly is very good in transition, she’s talented and also a student of the game,’’ Kilduff offered.

When Sorget plays forward, she’ll be teamed with seniors Abigail Cormier and Ashley Kamin and junior Hayley Higgins.

“Abigail is strong on the right side,’’ Kilduff said. “She’s got quick feet, is vocal and strives to be consistent on offense.  Ashley is strong and quick and has a very strong reverse stick and her shot on net is very quick. Hayley is a center forward who moves quickly, is competitive and she’s a team-first player. Passing is her strength, and her field hockey IQ is still developing.’’

Kilduff will rely on her jayvee coach (Darren Cormier) to groom underclassmen for varsity action. “Darren is in his second year,’’ she said. “We work very well together. We have the same thoughts on game play and similar coaching styles.’’

Now in her fifth year as an assistant teacher at the DiPietro School, Kilduff banks on a coaching philosophy that focuses on reaching one’s potential and ensuring that players enjoy their athletic experience. “If those two things are occurring, then winning will be the by-product,’’ she said.

Valuable life lessons can be learned in sports and Kilduff lists several that she hopes her players embrace. “Athletics teach players how to be leaders and good teammates,’’ she noted. “Sports also teach kids how to set and achieve goals and how to overcome adversity.’’

Winning the TVL Small Division championship wasn’t mentioned as a prime objective by Kilduff but she firmly believes her squad can finish high in the standings “if we work together and use our skills effectively.’’

Kilduff not only was a quality midfielder in field hockey at BHS, but she also was a top-notch player for four seasons at Bridgewater State, where she majored in early childhood care and graduated in 2020.

The 2024 season for the Blackhawks could be very significant. The program is on an upswing, and this could be the year BHS surpasses .500 and has some staying power in the playoffs.