Turgeon trying to finish up strong for Dover field hockey

When Jeannine Turgeon started her freshman year at Dover High School, she knew she enjoyed playing field hockey.

It was one of a handful of sports she played, having started in fifth grade.

But it wasn't until those preseason practices with the Green Wave, when coach Sarah Michaud saw what kind of incoming player she had, that Turgeon started to realize how good she could be.

"Coming in as a freshman, she was immediately an impact player," Michaud said. "Not a lot of kids can say that. I knew the minute she entered high school, she was a special player."

During that season, Michaud suggested that Turgeon try playing for a club team. Turgeon started playing for Seacoast United, where Michaud also coaches, and after doing that, she started to realize there might be an opportunity to do more with field hockey.

"I didn't know Seacoast United was a thing," Turgeon said. "(Michaud) talked to my parents about it, and the first year, I had such a good time, I decided I wanted to pursue field hockey now."

While she has continued to play softball and basketball for Dover, Turgeon was shined on the field hockey pitch, earning Division I first-team all-state honors each of the last two years. A year ago, she scored an overtime goal in the first round of the playoffs to help the Green Wave reach the quarterfinals.

And after verbally committing to continue playing at Columbia University, Turgeon is ready to focus on closing out her high school career strong, regardless of what this season looks like.

"I'm really excited to get going," she said. "It's such a relief. The whole summer, we were trying to keep our hopes up. I don't know what I would have done (if the season had been cancelled)."

After losing the softball season in the spring, Michaud knows how hard it would have been for Turgeon to not get to compete in a final season of field hockey.

"She is a competitor," the coach said. "She's always played multiple sports. It's another thing that's contributed to her success. She's able to adapt and play multiple positions because of her athleticism.

"She is the heart of our team. She is very hard-working, she always finishes at the top of our fitness testing."

As a two-year captain, Turgeon stepped up over the summer and during the shortened preseason to be more of a vocal leader now that she's a senior, according to her coach.

"She's always been a little bit of a silent leader," Michaud said. "I've already started to see her take a vocal role. It's a little hard for her to bark out orders, but she has done a good job getting kids organized and excited.

"This year, we have the biggest freshmen class we've ever hard and it's nice to have her step up. She's always been a leader in that lead-by-example way, she's always had that work ethic."

Knowing that there are a number of girls who will be following in the shoes of this year's seniors is something that has added to Turgeon's excitement at getting to play.

"We're already clicking so well," she said. "It's awesome, because when we leave, there's going to be a ton coming back. We have some really skilled players, so hopefully, they'll be just as good next year."

Before that happens, the Green Wave will look to build on the success they've had the last few years, hopefully with a run in the postseason. Wherever Dover ends up going this year, Michaud knows Turgeon will play a big part in it.

"She is one of those players who helped turn the program around," Michaud said. "When I came into Dover (in 2016), we only had two wins. Every year since, we've made the playoffs and a big part of that is Jeannine."