Morgan Field Hockey has entered an exciting new chapter with the recent appointment of their new head coach, Beth Powers. This change brings a wave of anticipation and enthusiasm among players, parents, and their Junior Varsity Coach, Krystina Johnson. Coach Powers is known for her impressive history as a coach as well as her innovative coaching techniques. Powers coached field hockey at Valley Regional high school for fifteen years, coached a successful club team called “tsunami”, a youth field hockey club, and also played herself growing up. Coach Powers has significantly elevated the team’s performance and many players say she has brought a fresh positive energy to the field. As the season kicks off, all eyes are on her leadership and different dynamics to shape the future of Morgan Field Hockey. The Field Hockey team is now working hard and achieving goals they never thought possible last season.

Last year, the team struggled through a tough season, ending with a disappointing record of 1-15 that left them all feeling defeated. Despite their best efforts, they just couldn’t seem to find their rhythm on the field. However, this year has been a complete turnaround. Last year the team lost to Valley Regional High School, which is an important loss to note considering this season they beat them 1-0 in a scrimmage before the season even started after being coached by Powers for only one week. They continued the momentum by beating Valley at both the home game 4-1 and the away game 1-0 this season. “I enjoyed our win at Valley on their brand new turf, as I coached there a long time it was satisfying to win there,” Powers said.

Powers decided to come coach a team, with a previously poor reputation, because she thought “her particular coaching style would be beneficial to this team, providing additional skills to the players.”
Krystina Johnson, who was also the assistant coach before Coach Powers, mentioned that Powers has brought remarkable change to the team, significantly improving their performance with stick skills, corner plays, and players effort. “Very proud of their improvement, especially because this is my first full circle coaching moment, because the seniors this year started as freshman my first year coaching,” said Krystina Johnson.

The team performs drills and participates in longer practices than they did last season. Powers over the years has picked up very interesting strategies and drills, she said, “My twin sister, Emily McCabe Alger coaches at Westbrook, and I often find some inspiration from her. I also like to pick drills based on the team we are next playing with, helping to improve specific skills needed for that team because I have experience playing against all these teams”. She will pick drills to help them get in front of the other team, keep their sticks down, and ball control.

Her approachable and supportive nature makes them easy to work with as well as connect with players. Krystina Johnson mentions many positive feelings about the new coach. “I love her, I just love her, she is my best friend and we talk every day I enjoy learning under someone who knows the sport better than I do, and better than anyone I know. It is beneficial for you guys as a team, but also for me as a coach to learn the ins and outs from someone who has been doing this for two decades”.

This new leadership has not only enhanced the girl’s on-field tactics but also strengthened the team’s cohesion, resulting in a successful season. Coach Powers describes the importance of her connection to our team. “For only being here for about a month, I do feel very connected to everyone. I think it is my grandmotherly personality that makes me very approachable, making it easy for me to connect with my players. I seriously enjoy everyone on the team’s company because everybody works hard, which makes me super happy.”