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Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

They purposely don't take committed players to Shooting Star, so they are playing a few strong juniors who haven't quite figured it out yet, but otherwise are taking sophomores playing up or juniors who are looking to play D3. Almost never seniors and, as I said, almost never any D1 commits. They do not care about winning Shooting Star, since it has nothing to do with USA rankings, and use it instead to get the players who need more exposure that chance. They dominate RCCs and have come in 3rd at NCCs for years. They lost to WC in the semi-finals this year by 1 goal--not sure when a team last came that close to WC, then easily won the game to take 3rd again. They won the top pool at Sunshine Showcase last January, which is a USA event to where all clubs send their best players. That and NCCS are where the best teams are determined. You really have to play at those top levels to see what level of play these top 3-4 teams play at. It is a whole different game. We notice all the time how strongly my DD's former club team would beat the D1 team she plays on now.

This response is extremely insulting to every college coach that attended Shooting Star Thanksgiving. There were an insane amount of coaches there this year including UNC’s Erin Matson, many many Top D1 program coaches including Duke and just about every D3 coach there to watch games and recruit players. Freedom might not care about representing their club with their best players (committed or not) or play to win, but I promise you every other team came to play, represent and try to win in front of over a hundred college coaches. Not every club has seniors and juniors already committed like Freedom so getting that exposure was huge for them at every level - D1, D2, D3. You talk about Freedom winning Sunshine Showcase. Congrats, that’s great but is Sunshine Showcase the better recruiting tournament because Freedom won? Rhetorical question because I don’t need or want a response. You have already insulted every college coach and youth player who attended Shoooting Star Thanksgiving

SS great for sophomores and juniors for recruiting that’s why you see so many coaches at u16 games (playing up in u19 now isn’t ideal like it use to be). It’s a waste for u19 at SS because those top teams bring uncommitted players which means they aren’t good enough for the D1s or top D3 programs - the top D1 coaches you see on the sideline their checking out their committed players if they are playing but mostly lower tiered D3s. Some clubs still believe it’s beneficial to have players play up at SS at u19. That’s no longer a good idea and actually hinders players that could be playing u16 where coaches are actively evaluating and recruiting. Easter showcase is for lower end D1 and mid to lower end D3 (Hail Mary) for a junior. Winter escape and Sunshine showcase is the last shot for Juniors for any remaining D3s (non NESCAC) and juniors who are already on the top tier list for NESCAC and top D3s (if you aren’t already on their list it’s not gonna happen) and great for sophomores for D1 and top D3.

This seems to be a U19 vs U16 thread. Both make valid points but I won’t be too surprised how quickly the U16 parent changes their tune after their DD ages up to U19.

If you want to play in college and aren’t recruited for a decent D1 by Dec of Junior year or top D3 by summer before senior year, you should accept your senior year as u19 is just for fun. Also, if by fall of junior year coaches from colleges you are interested don’t make it clear their interest in you (this includes NESCAC) via phone calls, texts, head coach directly communicating (if they are interested they make it known), you are wasting money going to showcases and recruiting events. Accept the fact that recruiting for the schools you are interested will not happen and continue with the sport if you still enjoy it otherwise save the money.

Husel had a player commit to D1 Fairfield in the spring of their senior year.

As a walk on after they got into the school themselves. Different than being recruited and committing prior to the application process. No offense, it’s Fairfield…not a challenging school to get into

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Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

They purposely don't take committed players to Shooting Star, so they are playing a few strong juniors who haven't quite figured it out yet, but otherwise are taking sophomores playing up or juniors who are looking to play D3. Almost never seniors and, as I said, almost never any D1 commits. They do not care about winning Shooting Star, since it has nothing to do with USA rankings, and use it instead to get the players who need more exposure that chance. They dominate RCCs and have come in 3rd at NCCs for years. They lost to WC in the semi-finals this year by 1 goal--not sure when a team last came that close to WC, then easily won the game to take 3rd again. They won the top pool at Sunshine Showcase last January, which is a USA event to where all clubs send their best players. That and NCCS are where the best teams are determined. You really have to play at those top levels to see what level of play these top 3-4 teams play at. It is a whole different game. We notice all the time how strongly my DD's former club team would beat the D1 team she plays on now.

This response is extremely insulting to every college coach that attended Shooting Star Thanksgiving. There were an insane amount of coaches there this year including UNC’s Erin Matson, many many Top D1 program coaches including Duke and just about every D3 coach there to watch games and recruit players. Freedom might not care about representing their club with their best players (committed or not) or play to win, but I promise you every other team came to play, represent and try to win in front of over a hundred college coaches. Not every club has seniors and juniors already committed like Freedom so getting that exposure was huge for them at every level - D1, D2, D3. You talk about Freedom winning Sunshine Showcase. Congrats, that’s great but is Sunshine Showcase the better recruiting tournament because Freedom won? Rhetorical question because I don’t need or want a response. You have already insulted every college coach and youth player who attended Shoooting Star Thanksgiving

SS great for sophomores and juniors for recruiting that’s why you see so many coaches at u16 games (playing up in u19 now isn’t ideal like it use to be). It’s a waste for u19 at SS because those top teams bring uncommitted players which means they aren’t good enough for the D1s or top D3 programs - the top D1 coaches you see on the sideline their checking out their committed players if they are playing but mostly lower tiered D3s. Some clubs still believe it’s beneficial to have players play up at SS at u19. That’s no longer a good idea and actually hinders players that could be playing u16 where coaches are actively evaluating and recruiting. Easter showcase is for lower end D1 and mid to lower end D3 (Hail Mary) for a junior. Winter escape and Sunshine showcase is the last shot for Juniors for any remaining D3s (non NESCAC) and juniors who are already on the top tier list for NESCAC and top D3s (if you aren’t already on their list it’s not gonna happen) and great for sophomores for D1 and top D3.

This seems to be a U19 vs U16 thread. Both make valid points but I won’t be too surprised how quickly the U16 parent changes their tune after their DD ages up to U19.

If you want to play in college and aren’t recruited for a decent D1 by Dec of Junior year or top D3 by summer before senior year, you should accept your senior year as u19 is just for fun. Also, if by fall of junior year coaches from colleges you are interested don’t make it clear their interest in you (this includes NESCAC) via phone calls, texts, head coach directly communicating (if they are interested they make it known), you are wasting money going to showcases and recruiting events. Accept the fact that recruiting for the schools you are interested will not happen and continue with the sport if you still enjoy it otherwise save the money.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

They purposely don't take committed players to Shooting Star, so they are playing a few strong juniors who haven't quite figured it out yet, but otherwise are taking sophomores playing up or juniors who are looking to play D3. Almost never seniors and, as I said, almost never any D1 commits. They do not care about winning Shooting Star, since it has nothing to do with USA rankings, and use it instead to get the players who need more exposure that chance. They dominate RCCs and have come in 3rd at NCCs for years. They lost to WC in the semi-finals this year by 1 goal--not sure when a team last came that close to WC, then easily won the game to take 3rd again. They won the top pool at Sunshine Showcase last January, which is a USA event to where all clubs send their best players. That and NCCS are where the best teams are determined. You really have to play at those top levels to see what level of play these top 3-4 teams play at. It is a whole different game. We notice all the time how strongly my DD's former club team would beat the D1 team she plays on now.

This response is extremely insulting to every college coach that attended Shooting Star Thanksgiving. There were an insane amount of coaches there this year including UNC’s Erin Matson, many many Top D1 program coaches including Duke and just about every D3 coach there to watch games and recruit players. Freedom might not care about representing their club with their best players (committed or not) or play to win, but I promise you every other team came to play, represent and try to win in front of over a hundred college coaches. Not every club has seniors and juniors already committed like Freedom so getting that exposure was huge for them at every level - D1, D2, D3. You talk about Freedom winning Sunshine Showcase. Congrats, that’s great but is Sunshine Showcase the better recruiting tournament because Freedom won? Rhetorical question because I don’t need or want a response. You have already insulted every college coach and youth player who attended Shoooting Star Thanksgiving

SS great for sophomores and juniors for recruiting that’s why you see so many coaches at u16 games (playing up in u19 now isn’t ideal like it use to be). It’s a waste for u19 at SS because those top teams bring uncommitted players which means they aren’t good enough for the D1s or top D3 programs - the top D1 coaches you see on the sideline their checking out their committed players if they are playing but mostly lower tiered D3s. Some clubs still believe it’s beneficial to have players play up at SS at u19. That’s no longer a good idea and actually hinders players that could be playing u16 where coaches are actively evaluating and recruiting. Easter showcase is for lower end D1 and mid to lower end D3 (Hail Mary) for a junior. Winter escape and Sunshine showcase is the last shot for Juniors for any remaining D3s (non NESCAC) and juniors who are already on the top tier list for NESCAC and top D3s (if you aren’t already on their list it’s not gonna happen) and great for sophomores for D1 and top D3.

This seems to be a U19 vs U16 thread. Both make valid points but I won’t be too surprised how quickly the U16 parent changes their tune after their DD ages up to U19.

If you want to play in college and aren’t recruited for a decent D1 by Dec of Junior year or top D3 by summer before senior year, you should accept your senior year as u19 is just for fun. Also, if by fall of junior year coaches from colleges you are interested don’t make it clear their interest in you (this includes NESCAC) via phone calls, texts, head coach directly communicating (if they are interested they make it known), you are wasting money going to showcases and recruiting events. Accept the fact that recruiting for the schools you are interested will not happen and continue with the sport if you still enjoy it otherwise save the money.

Husel had a player commit to D1 Fairfield in the spring of their senior year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

They purposely don't take committed players to Shooting Star, so they are playing a few strong juniors who haven't quite figured it out yet, but otherwise are taking sophomores playing up or juniors who are looking to play D3. Almost never seniors and, as I said, almost never any D1 commits. They do not care about winning Shooting Star, since it has nothing to do with USA rankings, and use it instead to get the players who need more exposure that chance. They dominate RCCs and have come in 3rd at NCCs for years. They lost to WC in the semi-finals this year by 1 goal--not sure when a team last came that close to WC, then easily won the game to take 3rd again. They won the top pool at Sunshine Showcase last January, which is a USA event to where all clubs send their best players. That and NCCS are where the best teams are determined. You really have to play at those top levels to see what level of play these top 3-4 teams play at. It is a whole different game. We notice all the time how strongly my DD's former club team would beat the D1 team she plays on now.

This response is extremely insulting to every college coach that attended Shooting Star Thanksgiving. There were an insane amount of coaches there this year including UNC’s Erin Matson, many many Top D1 program coaches including Duke and just about every D3 coach there to watch games and recruit players. Freedom might not care about representing their club with their best players (committed or not) or play to win, but I promise you every other team came to play, represent and try to win in front of over a hundred college coaches. Not every club has seniors and juniors already committed like Freedom so getting that exposure was huge for them at every level - D1, D2, D3. You talk about Freedom winning Sunshine Showcase. Congrats, that’s great but is Sunshine Showcase the better recruiting tournament because Freedom won? Rhetorical question because I don’t need or want a response. You have already insulted every college coach and youth player who attended Shoooting Star Thanksgiving

SS great for sophomores and juniors for recruiting that’s why you see so many coaches at u16 games (playing up in u19 now isn’t ideal like it use to be). It’s a waste for u19 at SS because those top teams bring uncommitted players which means they aren’t good enough for the D1s or top D3 programs - the top D1 coaches you see on the sideline their checking out their committed players if they are playing but mostly lower tiered D3s. Some clubs still believe it’s beneficial to have players play up at SS at u19. That’s no longer a good idea and actually hinders players that could be playing u16 where coaches are actively evaluating and recruiting. Easter showcase is for lower end D1 and mid to lower end D3 (Hail Mary) for a junior. Winter escape and Sunshine showcase is the last shot for Juniors for any remaining D3s (non NESCAC) and juniors who are already on the top tier list for NESCAC and top D3s (if you aren’t already on their list it’s not gonna happen) and great for sophomores for D1 and top D3.

This seems to be a U19 vs U16 thread. Both make valid points but I won’t be too surprised how quickly the U16 parent changes their tune after their DD ages up to U19.

If you want to play in college and aren’t recruited for a decent D1 by Dec of Junior year or top D3 by summer before senior year, you should accept your senior year as u19 is just for fun. Also, if by fall of junior year coaches from colleges you are interested don’t make it clear their interest in you (this includes NESCAC) via phone calls, texts, head coach directly communicating (if they are interested they make it known), you are wasting money going to showcases and recruiting events. Accept the fact that recruiting for the schools you are interested will not happen and continue with the sport if you still enjoy it otherwise save the money.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

They purposely don't take committed players to Shooting Star, so they are playing a few strong juniors who haven't quite figured it out yet, but otherwise are taking sophomores playing up or juniors who are looking to play D3. Almost never seniors and, as I said, almost never any D1 commits. They do not care about winning Shooting Star, since it has nothing to do with USA rankings, and use it instead to get the players who need more exposure that chance. They dominate RCCs and have come in 3rd at NCCs for years. They lost to WC in the semi-finals this year by 1 goal--not sure when a team last came that close to WC, then easily won the game to take 3rd again. They won the top pool at Sunshine Showcase last January, which is a USA event to where all clubs send their best players. That and NCCS are where the best teams are determined. You really have to play at those top levels to see what level of play these top 3-4 teams play at. It is a whole different game. We notice all the time how strongly my DD's former club team would beat the D1 team she plays on now.

This response is extremely insulting to every college coach that attended Shooting Star Thanksgiving. There were an insane amount of coaches there this year including UNC’s Erin Matson, many many Top D1 program coaches including Duke and just about every D3 coach there to watch games and recruit players. Freedom might not care about representing their club with their best players (committed or not) or play to win, but I promise you every other team came to play, represent and try to win in front of over a hundred college coaches. Not every club has seniors and juniors already committed like Freedom so getting that exposure was huge for them at every level - D1, D2, D3. You talk about Freedom winning Sunshine Showcase. Congrats, that’s great but is Sunshine Showcase the better recruiting tournament because Freedom won? Rhetorical question because I don’t need or want a response. You have already insulted every college coach and youth player who attended Shoooting Star Thanksgiving

You seem to be overly sensitive, and sadly misinformed.
Most of the best clubs, not just Freedom, had their uncommitted or younger players represent them in Richmond. Nothing wrong with that and no insult to college coaches. College coaches want to see how players play on water based turf which is why NCC and Nexus in VAB are really the only tournaments that count. I played hockey in college and one of my former teammates was an assistant coach at a very respectable D1 program. I can guarantee you she is not insulted by not seeing clubs rostering only their best players.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

They purposely don't take committed players to Shooting Star, so they are playing a few strong juniors who haven't quite figured it out yet, but otherwise are taking sophomores playing up or juniors who are looking to play D3. Almost never seniors and, as I said, almost never any D1 commits. They do not care about winning Shooting Star, since it has nothing to do with USA rankings, and use it instead to get the players who need more exposure that chance. They dominate RCCs and have come in 3rd at NCCs for years. They lost to WC in the semi-finals this year by 1 goal--not sure when a team last came that close to WC, then easily won the game to take 3rd again. They won the top pool at Sunshine Showcase last January, which is a USA event to where all clubs send their best players. That and NCCS are where the best teams are determined. You really have to play at those top levels to see what level of play these top 3-4 teams play at. It is a whole different game. We notice all the time how strongly my DD's former club team would beat the D1 team she plays on now.

This response is extremely insulting to every college coach that attended Shooting Star Thanksgiving. There were an insane amount of coaches there this year including UNC’s Erin Matson, many many Top D1 program coaches including Duke and just about every D3 coach there to watch games and recruit players. Freedom might not care about representing their club with their best players (committed or not) or play to win, but I promise you every other team came to play, represent and try to win in front of over a hundred college coaches. Not every club has seniors and juniors already committed like Freedom so getting that exposure was huge for them at every level - D1, D2, D3. You talk about Freedom winning Sunshine Showcase. Congrats, that’s great but is Sunshine Showcase the better recruiting tournament because Freedom won? Rhetorical question because I don’t need or want a response. You have already insulted every college coach and youth player who attended Shoooting Star Thanksgiving

SS great for sophomores and juniors for recruiting that’s why you see so many coaches at u16 games (playing up in u19 now isn’t ideal like it use to be). It’s a waste for u19 at SS because those top teams bring uncommitted players which means they aren’t good enough for the D1s or top D3 programs - the top D1 coaches you see on the sideline their checking out their committed players if they are playing but mostly lower tiered D3s. Some clubs still believe it’s beneficial to have players play up at SS at u19. That’s no longer a good idea and actually hinders players that could be playing u16 where coaches are actively evaluating and recruiting. Easter showcase is for lower end D1 and mid to lower end D3 (Hail Mary) for a junior. Winter escape and Sunshine showcase is the last shot for Juniors for any remaining D3s (non NESCAC) and juniors who are already on the top tier list for NESCAC and top D3s (if you aren’t already on their list it’s not gonna happen) and great for sophomores for D1 and top D3.

This seems to be a U19 vs U16 thread. Both make valid points but I won’t be too surprised how quickly the U16 parent changes their tune after their DD ages up to U19.

If you want to play in college and aren’t recruited for a decent D1 by Dec of Junior year or top D3 by summer before senior year, you should accept your senior year as u19 is just for fun. Also, if by fall of junior year coaches from colleges you are interested don’t make it clear their interest in you (this includes NESCAC) via phone calls, texts, head coach directly communicating (if they are interested they make it known), you are wasting money going to showcases and recruiting events. Accept the fact that recruiting for the schools you are interested will not happen and continue with the sport if you still enjoy it otherwise save the money.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

They purposely don't take committed players to Shooting Star, so they are playing a few strong juniors who haven't quite figured it out yet, but otherwise are taking sophomores playing up or juniors who are looking to play D3. Almost never seniors and, as I said, almost never any D1 commits. They do not care about winning Shooting Star, since it has nothing to do with USA rankings, and use it instead to get the players who need more exposure that chance. They dominate RCCs and have come in 3rd at NCCs for years. They lost to WC in the semi-finals this year by 1 goal--not sure when a team last came that close to WC, then easily won the game to take 3rd again. They won the top pool at Sunshine Showcase last January, which is a USA event to where all clubs send their best players. That and NCCS are where the best teams are determined. You really have to play at those top levels to see what level of play these top 3-4 teams play at. It is a whole different game. We notice all the time how strongly my DD's former club team would beat the D1 team she plays on now.

This response is extremely insulting to every college coach that attended Shooting Star Thanksgiving. There were an insane amount of coaches there this year including UNC’s Erin Matson, many many Top D1 program coaches including Duke and just about every D3 coach there to watch games and recruit players. Freedom might not care about representing their club with their best players (committed or not) or play to win, but I promise you every other team came to play, represent and try to win in front of over a hundred college coaches. Not every club has seniors and juniors already committed like Freedom so getting that exposure was huge for them at every level - D1, D2, D3. You talk about Freedom winning Sunshine Showcase. Congrats, that’s great but is Sunshine Showcase the better recruiting tournament because Freedom won? Rhetorical question because I don’t need or want a response. You have already insulted every college coach and youth player who attended Shoooting Star Thanksgiving

SS great for sophomores and juniors for recruiting that’s why you see so many coaches at u16 games (playing up in u19 now isn’t ideal like it use to be). It’s a waste for u19 at SS because those top teams bring uncommitted players which means they aren’t good enough for the D1s or top D3 programs - the top D1 coaches you see on the sideline their checking out their committed players if they are playing but mostly lower tiered D3s. Some clubs still believe it’s beneficial to have players play up at SS at u19. That’s no longer a good idea and actually hinders players that could be playing u16 where coaches are actively evaluating and recruiting. Easter showcase is for lower end D1 and mid to lower end D3 (Hail Mary) for a junior. Winter escape and Sunshine showcase is the last shot for Juniors for any remaining D3s (non NESCAC) and juniors who are already on the top tier list for NESCAC and top D3s (if you aren’t already on their list it’s not gonna happen) and great for sophomores for D1 and top D3.

This seems to be a U19 vs U16 thread. Both make valid points but I won’t be too surprised how quickly the U16 parent changes their tune after their DD ages up to U19.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

They purposely don't take committed players to Shooting Star, so they are playing a few strong juniors who haven't quite figured it out yet, but otherwise are taking sophomores playing up or juniors who are looking to play D3. Almost never seniors and, as I said, almost never any D1 commits. They do not care about winning Shooting Star, since it has nothing to do with USA rankings, and use it instead to get the players who need more exposure that chance. They dominate RCCs and have come in 3rd at NCCs for years. They lost to WC in the semi-finals this year by 1 goal--not sure when a team last came that close to WC, then easily won the game to take 3rd again. They won the top pool at Sunshine Showcase last January, which is a USA event to where all clubs send their best players. That and NCCS are where the best teams are determined. You really have to play at those top levels to see what level of play these top 3-4 teams play at. It is a whole different game. We notice all the time how strongly my DD's former club team would beat the D1 team she plays on now.

This response is extremely insulting to every college coach that attended Shooting Star Thanksgiving. There were an insane amount of coaches there this year including UNC’s Erin Matson, many many Top D1 program coaches including Duke and just about every D3 coach there to watch games and recruit players. Freedom might not care about representing their club with their best players (committed or not) or play to win, but I promise you every other team came to play, represent and try to win in front of over a hundred college coaches. Not every club has seniors and juniors already committed like Freedom so getting that exposure was huge for them at every level - D1, D2, D3. You talk about Freedom winning Sunshine Showcase. Congrats, that’s great but is Sunshine Showcase the better recruiting tournament because Freedom won? Rhetorical question because I don’t need or want a response. You have already insulted every college coach and youth player who attended Shoooting Star Thanksgiving

SS great for sophomores and juniors for recruiting that’s why you see so many coaches at u16 games (playing up in u19 now isn’t ideal like it use to be). It’s a waste for u19 at SS because those top teams bring uncommitted players which means they aren’t good enough for the D1s or top D3 programs - the top D1 coaches you see on the sideline their checking out their committed players if they are playing but mostly lower tiered D3s. Some clubs still believe it’s beneficial to have players play up at SS at u19. That’s no longer a good idea and actually hinders players that could be playing u16 where coaches are actively evaluating and recruiting. Easter showcase is for lower end D1 and mid to lower end D3 (Hail Mary) for a junior. Winter escape and Sunshine showcase is the last shot for Juniors for any remaining D3s (non NESCAC) and juniors who are already on the top tier list for NESCAC and top D3s (if you aren’t already on their list it’s not gonna happen) and great for sophomores for D1 and top D3.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

They purposely don't take committed players to Shooting Star, so they are playing a few strong juniors who haven't quite figured it out yet, but otherwise are taking sophomores playing up or juniors who are looking to play D3. Almost never seniors and, as I said, almost never any D1 commits. They do not care about winning Shooting Star, since it has nothing to do with USA rankings, and use it instead to get the players who need more exposure that chance. They dominate RCCs and have come in 3rd at NCCs for years. They lost to WC in the semi-finals this year by 1 goal--not sure when a team last came that close to WC, then easily won the game to take 3rd again. They won the top pool at Sunshine Showcase last January, which is a USA event to where all clubs send their best players. That and NCCS are where the best teams are determined. You really have to play at those top levels to see what level of play these top 3-4 teams play at. It is a whole different game. We notice all the time how strongly my DD's former club team would beat the D1 team she plays on now.

This response is extremely insulting to every college coach that attended Shooting Star Thanksgiving. There were an insane amount of coaches there this year including UNC’s Erin Matson, many many Top D1 program coaches including Duke and just about every D3 coach there to watch games and recruit players. Freedom might not care about representing their club with their best players (committed or not) or play to win, but I promise you every other team came to play, represent and try to win in front of over a hundred college coaches. Not every club has seniors and juniors already committed like Freedom so getting that exposure was huge for them at every level - D1, D2, D3. You talk about Freedom winning Sunshine Showcase. Congrats, that’s great but is Sunshine Showcase the better recruiting tournament because Freedom won? Rhetorical question because I don’t need or want a response. You have already insulted every college coach and youth player who attended Shoooting Star Thanksgiving

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

They purposely don't take committed players to Shooting Star, so they are playing a few strong juniors who haven't quite figured it out yet, but otherwise are taking sophomores playing up or juniors who are looking to play D3. Almost never seniors and, as I said, almost never any D1 commits. They do not care about winning Shooting Star, since it has nothing to do with USA rankings, and use it instead to get the players who need more exposure that chance. They dominate RCCs and have come in 3rd at NCCs for years. They lost to WC in the semi-finals this year by 1 goal--not sure when a team last came that close to WC, then easily won the game to take 3rd again. They won the top pool at Sunshine Showcase last January, which is a USA event to where all clubs send their best players. That and NCCS are where the best teams are determined. You really have to play at those top levels to see what level of play these top 3-4 teams play at. It is a whole different game. We notice all the time how strongly my DD's former club team would beat the D1 team she plays on now.

This response is extremely insulting to every college coach that attended Shooting Star Thanksgiving. There were an insane amount of coaches there this year including UNC’s Erin Matson, many many Top D1 program coaches including Duke and just about every D3 coach there to watch games and recruit players. Freedom might not care about representing their club with their best players (committed or not) or play to win, but I promise you every other team came to play, represent and try to win in front of over a hundred college coaches. Not every club has seniors and juniors already committed like Freedom so getting that exposure was huge for them at every level - D1, D2, D3. You talk about Freedom winning Sunshine Showcase. Congrats, that’s great but is Sunshine Showcase the better recruiting tournament because Freedom won? Rhetorical question because I don’t need or want a response. You have already insulted every college coach and youth player who attended Shoooting Star Thanksgiving

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

They purposely don't take committed players to Shooting Star, so they are playing a few strong juniors who haven't quite figured it out yet, but otherwise are taking sophomores playing up or juniors who are looking to play D3. Almost never seniors and, as I said, almost never any D1 commits. They do not care about winning Shooting Star, since it has nothing to do with USA rankings, and use it instead to get the players who need more exposure that chance. They dominate RCCs and have come in 3rd at NCCs for years. They lost to WC in the semi-finals this year by 1 goal--not sure when a team last came that close to WC, then easily won the game to take 3rd again. They won the top pool at Sunshine Showcase last January, which is a USA event to where all clubs send their best players. That and NCCS are where the best teams are determined. You really have to play at those top levels to see what level of play these top 3-4 teams play at. It is a whole different game. We notice all the time how strongly my DD's former club team would beat the D1 team she plays on now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's no way they are resending teams to another qualifier. 100% against the rules. Honestly, NL does some odd things with those indoor teams. Rather than putting all the best players on one team, she spreads a few out and I think it weakens their opportunities, rather than enhances them. There were some pretty hard feelings last year when those teams were set and they didn't do well last year either. The "top" team qualified, but not highly and didn't do well at NITs.

It’s not just NL trying to skirt the rules. Wolves does it too bringing in ringers (sorry guest players) to play in NITQs and NITs to supplement (aka replace) their players to win or double rostering players from lower age group even though they have plenty players in current age group. It’s a win at no costs mentality yet they fail to succeed majority of the time. As for the fall tournaments like SS, both NL and Wolves bring their top teams to compete. This year Wolves and NL had all their D1 commits and still couldn’t win one game. Coaches at theses clubs have the mentality to win st no costs and think they can compete with the best of the best which isn’t possible. Their teams don’t play as a team. It’s individuals playing for their own glory and it shows. The coaching focuses on specific individuals to carry the play causing them to lose against stronger teams that play together. Freedom on the other hand plays as a team. Watch the ball movement, field coverage, zone playing. These teams can’t compete with this caliber of play. It’s all due to coaching or the lack there of.

Anonymous wrote:There's no way they are resending teams to another qualifier. 100% against the rules. Honestly, NL does some odd things with those indoor teams. Rather than putting all the best players on one team, she spreads a few out and I think it weakens their opportunities, rather than enhances them. There were some pretty hard feelings last year when those teams were set and they didn't do well last year either. The "top" team qualified, but not highly and didn't do well at NITs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

This is a forum for the DC Metro area. Virginia Beach is not close enough for people to play for regularly, therefore those clubs aren’t included in the discussion. People drive from Northern Virginia to play for Freedom and Warhawks - I know people who do it. I don’t know anyone from this area who plays full-time for a Virginia Beach club.

Those Freedom teams may not have been their top teams due to it being a holiday weekend. Look at NCC or NIT if you want to judge a club.

Go back to previous posts. The original retort was to a Freedom poster bashing Gateway and claiming Freedom is ranked Top 3 in the country. Then accurate info was provided that Freedom failed at Shooting Star Thanksgiving. Freedom also didn’t attend Festival in Florida that same weekend so let’s assume they sent their 2 best U19 teams to Shooting Star because not representing your club at one of the biggest recruiting showcases of the year would be stupid. Now you are using NCC or NIT as excuses. Tsk tsk.

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Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.