Field hockey looks to defend league title

In her 30th season coaching varsity field hockey, Weston High School head coach Laura Galopim believes that versatility will be the key to the Wildcats’ success in the 2026 season.

The team is coming off a successful fall of 2025 in which it won the Dual County League Foley Division title, finished with a record of eight wins, three ties and six losses and reached the first round of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) state tournament.

Nearly all of the Wildcat defenders of a season ago graduated, leaving a slight question mark toward the back which Galopim plans to waste no time answering.

“I think the focus of our first three days of practice will be to put together the best starting lineup we can,” said Galopim. “I’m going to look for the best 16 to 18 players to make up the roster.”

Galopim said she plans to pick out the best field hockey players and the best athletes and figure out positioning later.

There is less mystery entering the season on the offensive side of the field. The team returns senior captain and leading scorer Audrey Marzano, as well as her classmate and fellow captain Izzy Garry.

Galopim is also excited about talented sophomore Brooke Hanser, who Galopim said has had a great offseason.

Toward the middle of the field, senior captain Lauren Morsilli, who is committed to Amherst College, will play a crucial role.

“All these kids are versatile and willing to play anywhere,” said Galopim. “It shows leadership.”

Despite having numerous difference-making players, Galopim said sharing the ball and playing as a team are key.

“We need to not lean on them, but play around them,” said Galopim. “We should trust every player on the field and make it a team effort. We don’t want to just get the ball to them, we want to work with them.”

Continuous, quick passing to get the ball up the field will be a strategy of the Wildcats.

“We don’t want the ball to stay on the stick of one or two players,” said Galopim.

As the team continues to practice together, Galopim said familiarity between players on the field will continue to improve, which will only help the team.

“The more they play, the more they will trust each other and feel good around each other,” said Galopim. “We want to keep a ‘we can do it’ mindset and confidence will help them play better, and more as a team.”

The Wildcats will open the 2026 regular season at home, with a matchup against Newton South High School on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 4:15 p.m.