Elsa Gately is a senior and was captain of South Windsor High School’s Field Hockey team. She has played for seven years and plays in the midfield. She plans to continue playing in college whether that be division 3 or a club team. She suffered from a shin injury this season taking her out for a few weeks but she managed to work her way onto the field for the last few games and her senior night.
As a kid, Elsa was put into many sports such as basketball, swimming, soccer and softball. Her mom encouraged her to try many sports, and after trying field hockey in 6th grade as a goalie, Elsa fell in love with it and continued to play coming into high school. However, to increase her playing time due to older more experienced goalies playing above her, she asked her coach to play on the field and the coach put her on defense. Her senior year she moved to midfield and thrived with her passing, communication, and ability to move the ball up the field as a few of the many reasons that she is one of the team’s captains.
This season she suffered a shin injury due to overuse and was taken out for most of the season. Even while stuck on the sidelines, she continued to support the team by helping out her coach and giving advice to players where she could. As expected, she was very frustrated and disappointed but persevered and managed to work her way back onto the field to play in the last few games and her senior night.
“She plays with passion, leads with purpose, and inspires her teammates to rise to their best,” her teammate, Senior Reese Pellerin said.
“She loves the game and has fought through some annoying injuries this year, but she cares so much about the team that being able to play the last few games of the season meant a lot to her,” Elsa’s mother, Tricia Gately said.
Elsa Gately is sad to go after giving so much to the high school team, but is excited to see what opportunities college has in store for her.
