As the leaves begin to fall across New England this year, the Bates women’s field hockey team is rising to the top quickly. Currently ranked tenth in Division III Field Hockey with a 5-3 overall record, the Bobcats have defeated two nationally-ranked teams during their current campaign. The team’s captains, Molly Griffin ’24, Paige Cote ’24 and Sarah Bussell ’24, have certainly contributed to the teams’ success so far.

Not only have the three captains performed on the field, but they have helped form a strong team culture as well. When asked about this, Griffin said, “We like to think of ourselves as one unit.” She added that there are no seniority privileges for anyone on the team, describing “everyone on the team as an equal.” But Rome wasn’t built in a day; the team, said Griffin, “spends a lot of time together outside of practice and games,” since “bonding off the  field is just as important as the time spent on the field.” 

While the production from the captains has been great, support from other team members has been just as crucial. Anna Cote (’25) secured NESCAC Player of the Week after scoring the game-winning goal against #20-ranked Trinity this past Saturday. She is the second Bobcat this year that has won the award, along with Maria Femia ’25.

One of the main reasons Griffin attributed to the team’s early success was their confidence right from the get-go. “After having a great run last season ending in a first-round playoff loss, I think people realized that we do have what it takes to be a great team. That mindset shift has led to our success this season,” said Griffin. This level of confidence will be crucial for the Bobcats going forward as Bates looks to secure a home playoff game this year, and will aim for not only their first NESCAC playoff win but also their first NESCAC Conference Championship.

Regardless of the outcome, Griffin said, “It’s been great to be a part of this program for four years.” With this being her last year playing, her affirmations of the time she has spent with the team were very clear, saying “It’s been such an honor to have the opportunity to be a leader for this team. I have loved watching this team grow over the years.”