November 22, 2023 – Story and photos by Joshua Ross
As the fall season comes to a close, the reality sets in that it is really difficult to be the last one standing. This week’s Athlete of the Week presented by College Hype led her team further than any other team in the MIAA playoffs this season. Senior captain Anna Kiernan has been an integral part of the Hingham field hockey team for the past three years and has been front and center of the team’s tremendous transformation from a participant to a powerhouse in the league.
Despite losing 5-0 to the eventual state champions Reading Rockets, Anna and her team cemented their place in the upper tier of fockey teams for years to come.
“Anna was outstanding on defense throughout the tournament,” says head coach Sue Petrie. “She was a three year starter was our flyer on every defensive corner over those three years. It’s a tough position to play- that player has to be fearless, and she disrupted many potential offensive opportunities, both on corners and in the offensive zone in general. As a captain, she also did a great job instilling team chemistry as well.”
On a team that let up less than a dozen goals all season, the defense sometimes get lost with all the goals the team scored.
“Anna is extremely hardworking in everything she does and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her procrastinate,” says fellow senior captain Stella Brazis. ” She is someone who can make anyone laugh, which can be super helpful during stressful games or practices. She unfortunately doesn’t receive much attention because we rarely got action down there but she is truly the backbone of the defense. She gained the trust of all her teammates and I know everyone is going to miss having her on the team.”
Congrats Anna on a historic season and career!