All it took was a visit to a Princeton University field hockey game and Genevieve Vallieres was captivated.
Vallieres moved to the area after spending her formative years in Queens, New York where field hockey isn’t exactly the sport of choice.
“We moved from New York and one of the first things we did was to go see a Princeton University game when I was like nine and they were playing UNC and my little mind was blown,’’ recalled Vallieres. “I fell in love with it immediately and I still love the sport.’’
Now a senior at Pennington, Vallieres, after getting bitten by the hockey bug, began training with former Princeton University coach Melissa Meccage, who is now on the Red Hawks’ staff, and through Vallieres’ dedication and work ethic she has become one of the sport’s premier players.
She is headed to nationally-ranked Louisville next fall.
But first she has some things to take care of at Pennington.
The No. 1 Red Hawks (12-2) meet No. 4 St. Elizabeth (8-9) in the Prep B semifinals on Monday at 5 p.m. The other semifinal has No. 2 Montclair Kimberley (12-6) hosting No. 3 Morristown Beard (5-8).
“We are ecstatic and we have been working so hard all season preparing for this,’’ said Vallieres, of the state title opportunity. “We are going to continue to work hard and we want to get to the finals.’’
Vallieres is the leading prep scorer in the state with 25 goals and 13 assists. For her career, she has caged 78 goals and helped on another 28 for 84 career points.
“Over the years, I have put in a lot of training and have been working as hard as I can,’’ said Vallieres. “I believe you get what you put into it and it’s all been a product of how hard I’ve worked.’’
A very outgoing and personable young lady, Vallieres is always working to be the best she can be on and off the field.
“I owe so much to being an athlete,’’ said Vallieres. “I’ve learned perseverance through being an athlete and it’s helped me in school. Balance has been such an important part of sports and it has transformed into my life, learning how to balance school, sports and all the different aspects of my life. All the different people I have met though hockey have been so impactful on myself and my personality. I have so many friends that I have met through hockey and I would not be the same person I am without them.’’
She has been a great teammate and leader for the Red Hawks.
“The first thing a leader needs to do is be supportive of your team and you have to set an example and you want to give your team energy and help with the pregame nerves,’’ said Vallieres. “I’ve had some amazing captains in the past and I needed to rise myself up to that level.’’
Vallieres has, in so many ways, made an impression on the Pennington community.
“She is a wonderful person and quite a field hockey player,’’ said Pennington coach Dr. Kristin McCarthy. “She is such an asset to our program and the school.’’
This has been a special season for the Red Hawks and Vallieres is grateful to be a part of it.
“It has been amazing and the team is amazing and I have learned so much through these seasons,’’ said Vallieres. “Coach McCarthy has been amazing and she had really lifted us up as a team and being able to be a part of it has been great and I’m never going to forget it.’’
A person who is always positive and encouraging, Vallieres does admit to a few butterflies before she takes the field.
“I like to look at being nervous before a game, meaning that you care,’’ she said. “So when you care about it, it just means you have to go out and give it your all.’’
One of the things that helps ease the nerves at Pennington is the little dance party the team has before each game.
“If you want to play field hockey you have to have that competitive drive,’’ Vallieres stated. “that’s what makes the game so much fun. I love the process and getting to work together with your team and pushing yourself every day is the fun part.’’
The bigger the game, the more Vallieres enjoys it.
“I love big games and getting to play the difficult teams and going all out,’’ said Vallieres. “I love being able to raise yourself to that level and give it all you can. When I look back on those high pressure moments I just think it was such a good challenge for myself.’’
