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# Mascoma Valley field hockey striving to get better as playoffs approach
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/mascoma-valley-field-hockey-striving-to-get-better-as-playoffs-approach/
- Published: 2025-10-14T20:30:11.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-14T20:30:11.000Z
- Description: Each season is different, but this one couldn’t be much more so than a year ago for the Mascoma Valley Regional High School field hockey team. The Royals (10-3-1) had just one game remaining going into Tuesday's contest at home against Monadnock, but they’re in position to get a top four seed in the
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division III-IV, Division III, field hockey, Mascoma Valley, NH High School Sports Insider, Royals, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

Each season is different, but this one couldn’t be much more so than a year ago for the Mascoma Valley Regional High School field hockey team.

The Royals (10-3-1) had just one game remaining going into Tuesday's contest at home against Monadnock, but they’re in position to get a top four seed in the Division III playoffs. Last season at this time, they were fighting just to get in, and doing so with barely enough players.

“We were piecing together a team,” Mascoma Valley coach Danielle Pushee said. “I was begging kids to come play. We were unlucky.”

With a handful of freshmen coming in this season, plus the return of seven seniors – including defender Georgia Kondi, who missed last year with an injury – the Royals have been able to stay at the top of the division all season.

“I’m going about three or four deep on my bench,” Pushee said. “We knew this incoming freshmen group was good. They’re all athletes, they all play two or three sports together. They’re just like the seniors. They came up together. I think the young kids have handled the pressure really well.”

While senior Makenna Houston drives the forward line, she’s received support from a number of players, including sophomore Tori Petty and freshman Sophia Smith. Senior Ellie McGrody has contributed at midfield and fellow senior Aubrey Elizabeth moved from defense to midfield, with the pair solidifying that position for the Royals.

"This group, we’re pretty special and it’s been different," Houston said. "Last year was more of a rebuilding year. We’ve been working hard, and I think come playoffs, we’ll surprise a few people. We’re not there yet and I know we’ve got more in us."

Meanwhile, Kondi has teamed with seniors Anna Emerson and goalie Samantha Harkins to give Mascoma stout defense.

“It’s been awesome,” Kondi said. “This team works really well together. As the season progresses, we’ve gotten better, but we’re able to come back and that will help in the playoffs.”

Kondi has been a key part of the Royals' resurgence this year, as her return on defense has allowed the team to have more depth there.

"They’ve definitely kept us in it our entire season," Houston said of Mascoma's defense. "They’re doing great, getting the ball out, talking. They’re good at anticipating and really keeping us in it for the most part."

The Royals got a bit of a scare though during their 3-1 win at Gilford on Sept. 23, when Kondi got hit high by an arrant ball.

"Georgia took a ball to the chin and it split right open," Pushee said. "That’s no fun to see your teammate go down bleeding. They pulled themselves together and were able to play. She got 10 stitches and was back the next day."

Kondi, who has won the shot put at the Outdoor Track Meet of Champions and the Division II Indoor Championship each of the last two seasons, is focused on continuing her track career after high school, but coming back for her senior season of field hockey was as important.

"I’m very passionate about track, but I love field hockey," she said. "I think (coming back to play with stitches) proved who I am as an athlete and as a person."

It fits with what kind of team Mascoma has been for most of the season, often times finding ways to come back for wins or pull out a close game. The Royals have had seven one-goal games this season and are 4-3 in those games, and while they've only scored more than three goals in a game twice this year, they've allowed more than just twice.

"This team has grit," Pushee said. "We’ve had a hard schedule. I want the girls to be playoff ready and I want them to work hard. Yes, I want to win to help our standing to be better, but if we get better, we told them, we’re good, but we need to be great."