The Madison girls field Hockey team had an extraordinary 22 win season last year with coach Sarah Morano leading the team. The team this year is being led by two college field hockey commits, Celia Stuart who is headed to Brown and Lindsay Catchpole who intends to attend Michigan. Stuart and Catchpole have been appointed captains of the team. The Madison team’s current record is 4-1, losing to Pingry in a close match.
Coach Morano was hired as head coach in the 2023 season. She previously coached at Verona High School and played field hockey at Penn State for 3 years and was co-captain for her senior year.
This team is full of talented athletes who work together to raise the team’s morale. Some other members include: Scarlet Baisch, Grace Garrity, and Georgia Mock. The Dodgers have a high stakes game set for October 17th against Oak Knoll, one of two teams that the Dodgers lost to last year.
We had the chance to ask Coach Morano what makes a good leader and how she prepares the team for high stakes games. She responded with: “When selecting captains I look for individuals who demonstrate a strong combination of character, leadership, accountability, and consistency. A great leader communicates effectively, sets the standard through their own behavior, and remains accountable both on and off the field. They stay composed under pressure and bring positive energy that lifts the group. They’re also respected by their peers and lead with integrity”.
When asked about the how the team mentally and physically prepare for a challenging game Morano said “When preparing for a high-stakes game, we begin with a clear game plan to ensure every player understands their role and what’s expected. Every single training session is designed to simulate game pressure, helping players become comfortable performing under stress. I place a strong emphasis on fundamentals, because in critical moments, it’s often the basics that make the difference. Finally, we work on staying composed and working as a unit.”