Messalonskee High School of Oakland has two finalists for the Miss Maine Field Hockey Award given to the state’s top senior player.
Messalonskee right midfielder Riley Field and forward Emily Hogan are among the four chosen along with Thornton Academy of Saco center midfielder Grace Pickering and Winslow High goaltender Delaney Wood.
The winner will be announced at the annual Maine Field Hockey Association banquet after the season.
Field, who will play for the University of Maine next fall, and Hogan, who will take her talents to American University in Washington, have guided the Eagles to a 14-0 season and a top seed in the Class A North tournament.
Messalonskee has outscored its opponents 73-2.
Messalonskee coach Katie McLaughlin said Field is the “most improved player over four years” and the “fastest player” that she has ever coached.
McLaughlin said Field fuels Messalonskee’s transition game because she is “stellar” when it comes to her recovery speed and ability to get the ball up quickly to the midfielders or forwards.
Field also has an “extremely strong shot” and is an excellent distributor of the ball, according to McLaughlin.
Field has two goals and four assists.
McLaughlin said Hogan is an offensive catalyst. She has 23 goals and six assists.
“She can dribble in traffic. She’ll dribble around several players,” she said.
Hogan has a hard and accurate shot and “incredible stick skills” and also has an intense passion for field hockey, the coach added.
“She is the most field hockey-obsessed player I’ve ever coached,” said McLaughlin.
McLaughlin said she is ecstatic to have two players among the Miss Maine Field Hockey finalists and said Field and Hogan are exceptional leaders. They are two of the team’s tri-captains.
The aggressive Wood has been a stellar goaltender throughout her career at Winslow, leading the Black Raiders of coach Mary Beth Bourgoin to the Class C state championship a year ago.
The talented Wood, who has lightning-quick reflexes, has been stingy again this season as Winslow has allowed just 14 goals in 14 games en route to a 10-3-1 regular season record.
She also has been a calming influence with her composure for Winslow and has posted six shutouts.
Thornton Academy’s Pickering has led the Trojans to a 12-2 regular season.
The gifted Pickering is one of the offensive catalysts for the Trojans and has led them to a 12-2 regular season record.
She marshals the midfield and is an effective defender. Pickering has impressive stick skills and is one of the team leaders.