Lia Parker '19 Recruiting Profile

  Hi my name is Lia Parker, and I am from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Field Hockey has become a big part of my life, but I am also very involved in my school community and a variety of activities has made me adjust to a busy schedule. As a Sophomore I not only made the Varsity team, but I was a starter, it was a very exciting experience. The team was a majority Senior team and only a few of us were underclassmen. I remember our coach telling us younger girls that we would have to step up and play like seniors. That year we wanted to make history, none of our teams since 1980 had made it past the first round of States. In the first round of the state tournament I not only played like a senior, I played the best I had played that season. That year we made it to the Elite 8 for the 6A Pennsylvania State Tournament. This past season we had to build up a new team after losing 11 seniors, 7 starters. It was exciting to get the chance to step up as a Junior, earning the honor of being a captain, and receiving the Coaches Award at the end of the year. This past year we didn’t make it to the state tournament, but I grew as a player and leader, and I know that next year I will be able to apply what I’ve learned.

         I started playing Field Hockey in 6th grade,  and I dove right in and began going to clinics run by our school, and playing in summer league. I love being a part of this community that opens up so many opportunities, and relationships. Since 9th grade I have volunteered as a Coach and a Referee for the summer league I was once a part of, and help run the clinics I had attended. Now the girls I coached are going to be part of the High School team, and we will all be playing together. It is so amazing to me that these girls I taught how to hold a stick will be playing with me, and it is even more exciting to see how far they've come. I look forward to the opportunity to bring my leadership skills, and other skills I have obtained in my High School career and use them at the College level.