Update: Lincoln won it’s semifinal game and will face Cumberland in the Championship on Sunday at Roger Williams University @ 4pm
The Lincoln Lions Field Hockey team is roaring loud and clear this season, with a spot in the semifinals for the fourth year in a row The team has reason for optimism after finishing the regular season in first place with a 13-2-0 record. They have only suffered two losses to each of their biggest rivals, the South Kingstown Rebels and the Cumberland Clippers.
After an undefeated championship season last year in which they didn’t give up a goal, the Lions had a large legacy to carry. As if that was not enough, the teams have been reorganized into three divisions, making D2 games even more competitive. Nevertheless, they rose to the challenge.
The team is made up of some incredible players, like Faith Miguel with 11 goals and 5 assists, Spencer Cameron and Zoe Gaitanis with 7 goals and 2 assists each, and Ava Cipriano with 7 goals and 1 assist.
Head Coach Lea Miguel has been a mainstay during the team’s successful run. Her analytical yet positive outlook is one of the traits that defines her coaching. She brings everything she has learned in her lifetime of playing and coaching to the LHS field. Her secret is teaching the team lessons that they can use on and off the field. Once the players are able to work together and focus on the game, all they need to do is practice their skills.
“Mental toughness is something that all of us (as) human beings (and) women can benefit from . . . whether on the field or in the classroom or out in life in general. Learn how to take things less personally and . . . realize that there are only certain things that you in life can control and to control the controllables,” Miguel said.
She also seconds advice given by the junior varsity coach, Meghan Linskey, when other teams antagonize the Lions.
“Let the scoreboard reflect . . . what you came here to do,” she said, instead of getting caught up in revenge.
Miguel attributes the team’s success to the no-I-in-team mentality the girls have. Despite the differences players may have off the field, they have learned how to come together under a common goal and have fun doing it.
Forward captain Faith Miguel said, “The team dynamic is not at all perfect and no sports team ever will be perfect, but I do think we have a strong bond. We treat each other like sisters so that sometimes comes with the occasional bickering about who has who’s clothes. But overall we love each other and care about each other so much.”
This culture is perhaps most fostered by captains Charlotte Labossiere, Kelsey Rouleau, and Miguel. Each of the captains have been playing since early childhood, such as Labossiere, who was inspired at four years old by her older sister. Younger players Audrey McQuade and Molly Comtois look up to them all.
“They are so supportive, both in game and in their words of encouragement, and I will miss them so much. Also, really talented. They make up pretty much our entire starting lineup and all make great contributions to the team,” Comtois said.
“They make sure the team stays tight knit and as drama free as possible,” McQuade added. Any high schooler knows that is no easy task.
Last but not least, the moms of the players must be credited for the team’s success. Coach Miguel mentioned that she has never seen anything like the mom’s friend group, which has a group chat, custom t-shirts, and regular dinners.
“As a high school athlete, I know how important it is to see your family in the stands and on the sidelines cheering you on during a game,” Kelly Labossiere, Charlotte’s mom, explains. Encouraging the girls is the simple but powerful reason the moms come together. “We all cheer on all the girls, not just our own, which I feel is really important for the girls to see and hear women lifting up other women.”
How did this supportive, enthusiastic group come together?
“The core of what has happened has come from the senior moms, and then trying to extend the spirit of inclusivity to the entire team,” Amy Cameron, mom of senior Spencer Cameron, said. “It’s really important for me as a human being to be inclusive, rather than exclusive . . . so even though Spencer has only played varsity, I never wanted the JV moms to feel like that was a separate team.”
It is worth mentioning that the dads are also very vocal in the stands, although the involvement of the moms is unmatched.
“I think the dads are jealous,” Cameron joked. She and the other moms plan to keep each other updated when their girls graduate and pass their traditions on to the next generation of senior moms.
The field hockey team will play the Lincoln School Lynxes in the semi finals today at 5pm at La Salle Academy. Go Lions!
