By Megan Tervo

On Oct. 24 and 25, the University of Maryland club field hockey team hosted Hocktober Fest, a two-day tournament featuring teams such as West Virginia, Penn State, Colorado, Loyola (MD), Pittsburgh, West Chester and Delaware.

Maddi Spies, a senior landscape architecture major, has played for the team throughout her four years at the university. She served as a vice president during her freshman year and has been one of the co-presidents since the spring of her sophomore year.

Spies said the tournament went well and helped prepare the team to make a run for the NFHL Fall Championship and Challenge Cup, otherwise known as fall nationals for collegiate club field hockey.

“Everyone played really well. I think our team did a really great job playing, and I think over the weekend we did a really good job adjusting and connecting together. I was really impressed with everyone,” Spies said.

Beyond competition, Spies said she has appreciated the community the team has given her during her time at Maryland.

“It really creates a family and is a fun way to make so many friends at different age levels too. We connect with all the girls younger than us even, and it is a really fun way to help girls get adjusted to the school,” Spies said.

Not only do club sports give students a chance to participate in the sports they love, but they also bring families together.

Gregory Pereira, whose daughter Bella Pereira plays on the team, said he has enjoyed getting to watch his daughter continue to play at the collegiate level.

“I taught her how to play. So yeah, it’s been a brilliant time watching these girls play,” Pereira said.

Pereira said the team gives the girls something else to focus on and work toward besides academics, and that it creates a strong community of friends.

“It’s not all about academics, and it gives them an outlet. You gain 25 new friends, and that’s for about four years. So I think that’s the important part,” Pereira said.

Lily Harrison, a senior international relations major with a minor in international development and conflict management, will graduate in December. She serves as the club team’s vice president.

Harrison said her favorite part about tournaments like Hocktober Fest is spending extra time with her teammates.

“We’re all talking about field hockey, and given that field hockey has been such a big part of my life, I really like being with a group of people that enjoy it just as much, if not more, than I do,” Harrison said. “Even talking to other teams has been really great this whole weekend.”

The tournament gave players an opportunity to spend time with friends, play field hockey and interact with athletes from other schools.

“Every team that showed up brought really good skill and was really fun to watch and play against. It made it a really fun tournament, and the energy was great,” Spies said.

The team’s next games are scheduled for Nov. 15, in a series of matchups against George Mason University, George Washington University and the University of Richmond.

Featured Image: No. 20 chases after the ball down the sideline on Oct. 25. Photo by Megan Tervo.