Lizzie York, who anchored a Skowhegan High School defense that allowed just 10 goals in 18 games en route to its third straight Class A state field hockey championship, has verbally committed to attend Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., in the fall of 2019.
York, a junior center back, will be a scholarship athlete and will join Skowhegan teammate Haley Carter at Hofstra. Carter, a senior sweeper, will head to Hofstra next fall.
Former Skowhegan High School and University of Maine player Courtney Veinotte just completed her first season as an assistant coach at Hofstra after spending six as an assistant at UMaine. Veinotte’s mother, Tammie, is an assistant coach at Skowhegan.
York said she chose Hofstra because, “it’s a really nice campus, I love the area and I know I’m going to get a good education which will enable me to get a job.
“Courtney was my club team coach the first year with Black Bear (Elite) and I loved her. And (Hofstra head coach Kathy De Angelis) is really nice,” added York, who had two goals and six assists to go with her defensive prowess last season.
“She was probably the most formidable player on our team,” said Skowhegan coach and Maine Sports Hall of Famer Paula Doughty. “She is very strong, physically. She is excellent on offensive and defensive corners and she does a great job marking people.”
Doughty said York did an exceptional job marking Messalonskee High star Autumn Littlefield in Skowhegan’s 3-1 win over Messalonskee in the Class A North final even though Littlefield did score the Eagle goal when she switched positions.
“Lizzie is a great all-around athlete,” said Doughty. “She has really grown and matured as a player. And she’s only reached half of her potential. She is going to develop into one of the best backs in Division I.”
Doughty said she expects York to improve her offensive output next season because she will be more involved in the offensive penalty corners.
“I hope to score more goals. I really worked hard on my shot this year,” said the 16-year-old daughter of Rick and Tasha York.
York said she is relieved that she has decided on a college.
“I don’t have to worry about it any more. I can play for fun,” said York, who also plays for the Waterville-based Maine Majestix club team.
Her participation at Hofstra is contingent upon her being accepted into the school and meeting NCAA eligibility requirements.
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