By Andrew Smith
Adelphi field hockey accomplished an incredible feat last season. They captured their first-ever Northeast-10 (NE10) championship by defeating Pace University by a score of two to one and went on to qualify for the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament. Rising senior Kylie Peregoy expressed her emotions after the championship run. “Last season was such a memorable time. Winning an NE10 championship was the highlight, but all the wins and losses in between contributed to it being so memorable,” she said.
Peregoy, who tallied the game-winning assist in the championship game, stated, “I remember looking at the clock with about 13 seconds left. I turned to my friend Fran Manzella on the field and yelled, ‘Oh my god, we did it!’ It was such an amazing, yet surreal feeling. Something we have worked so hard for was finally there!”
She added, “Holding up that trophy with my teammates was something I will never forget. Running over to my parents and giving them a big hug made me feel accomplished. I was extremely proud of my team, and it was a day I will never forget. I still get chills thinking about it today.”
Peregoy, from Medford, NY, and a graduate of Patchogue-Medford High School, credits her family as a vital role in her athletic development. “From my mom encouraging me to start playing field hockey in third grade to funding my travel seasons and taking me to all my tournaments to get recruited, I could not be where I am today.”
In addition to the team accomplishments, Peregoy also received numerous individual awards last season. The defender was named the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFCA) Defensive Player of the Week twice, NE10 Player of the Week twice, and led all NCAA II with 10 defensive saves. She was also named to the NE10 All-Championship Team. Peregoy set a high bar for Panthers on the field and in the classroom. The nursing major received Academic distinction awards in the fall and spring semesters of 2022.
Peregoy also acknowledged first-year head coach Jess Mulhern while reflecting on the past season. “We had to adjust to having Coach Mulhern as our new coach. We adjusted fairly well, as reflected by our NE10 championship. Coach Mulhern’s dedication to us as a team and the team’s dedication to the game came together to create a historical season that I am so proud to be a part of,” she said.
Despite the season ending in an NCAA tournament loss, Peregoy acknowledged the many takeaways they could learn and grow from. “After this season, a big lesson I learned was to stay positive. Being positive is contagious and often leads to great success on and off the field,” she said. “During the off-season, we focused a lot on skill work and conditioning—two things we must master before the fall. We like to save the fall for mostly technical stuff and gameplay.”
Staying accountable is another priority, both individually and as a team, she said. “It is something my team thrives off and something that will always improve.”
When asked what professional athlete she looks up to, Peregoy expressed her admiration for American Paralympian track and field athlete and motivational speaker Noelle Lambert, who suffered a traumatic injury that resulted in an above-the-knee leg amputation. “Now, watching her compete at the Olympic level shows the grit and determination she had to continue being an athlete. When I have a bad practice or game, I think about Noelle and how she overcame her personal struggle. It pushes me to work harder and makes me realize how lucky I am to be here playing field hockey at the collegiate level,” she explained.
When looking at the upcoming season, Peregoy said, “I am incredibly excited for my senior season. We have a title to defend, and I do not doubt my teammates that we won’t keep that title in our name for the second straight year.”
Be sure to come out and cheer on field hockey at the home opener on September 1 as they welcome Newberry College and look to defend their title.
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