Over the past two seasons, the Ashland field hockey team has reached the postseason, but on both occasions the Clockers were sent home in the first round. Two top-ten teams (Westwood last year and North Middlesex Regional the year prior) have eliminated Ashland, which had earned mid-20’s seeds. Coach Molley Foley would desperately like to have her Clockers advance beyond the first round of the tournament this fall.

“This year we have a talented group of seniors coming back with high expectations,” the coach said. “There is a lot of skill at forward, midfield, and defense, and when all 11 players on the field find their groove, we will be competitive against the stronger teams in the league.”

Foley went on to say that she believes this year’s squad to be one of the strongest she’s had in some time, and after they qualify for the tournament, she is looking for them to get that win in the first round.

Although the Clockers have said goodbye to Ashley Forester, one of the team’s top scorers, they still have enough talent coming back to make a run through the State Tournament. Two years ago, Ashland found themselves in Division 3, were moved up to Division 2 last year, and now have a year under their belt in the new division. 

Payten Tripp, a two-time captain for the Clockers as well as the team MVP over the last two seasons, will bring her high-scoring attitude to the field once again. Tripp, who is also a two-time Tri-Valley League All-Star, has already committed to play field hockey with Connecticut College.

Two years prior, the Clockers had lost a couple of top-notch defenders to graduation, and the defense came across some struggles at times last fall, but the coach believes that with a year of experience they should be solid this year.

“This year I am looking for those older defenders to step up and guide the younger girls,” Foley said. “Last year we had some holes that needed to be addressed so I was forced to move people around, and although it took its toll at the beginning,  they eventually settled in.”

Hanna Roberts has departed the backfield, but Raina Quitt and Hailey Katz are primed and ready to take the reins in becoming a solid defensive duo. In the midfield, Alissa Brown will be a key contributor, while Neko Ustaris, who now has two years under her belt, is an interesting piece, and the coach is excited to see what she can bring to the team this year as a junior. Maddie Sanders and Stella Costello saw action last year as freshmen and should bring more stability to the midfield.

Forwards Celia Callahan and Aly Marseglia both had their confidence increase by the end of last season, and along with senior Erin Hickey, they should form an aggressive front. According to the coach, all three are not afraid to step up against top-rated players, and like her midfielders, Foley is excited to see what they can bring to the game after a productive off-season. It should make a big difference in the clockers' attack. 

Playing between the pipes for Ashland will be a duo made up of senior Ruby Kazderian and junior Piper Montesino. The two goalies shared playing time depending on who was playing better before the next game. Foley is looking to do pretty much the same this year with her two keepers.

“Ruby has been playing the position longer and has more experience with great fundamental skills,” the Clocker Coach said. “Piper had only begun playing the game as a freshman and needed to learn the game, but she has become an aggressive individual out there on the field.”

With her two goalies primed to lead the Clockers into the tough league contests, especially the likes of Hopkinton, Foley is ready for the season to get underway as she prepares the girls for a successful season with hopefully a deeper run through the playoffs.

Ashland will open the season on Sept. 8 at Mansfield.