The U.S. National Women’s Indoor (Field) Hockey Team won the Indoor Pan American Games gold medal on October 21 in Georgetown, Guyana. The title qualified them for the February World Cup in Berlin, a historical first for the U.S. program.
The Saint Joseph University (Philadelphia) women’s field hockey team won the Atlantic 10 Conference Title and was headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. The Hawks would face big-brand, ACC member, University of North Carolina Tar Heels in their first tournament match on November 11. Besides field hockey, how are these facts connected? Hannah Prince. The Gorham High School graduate (’10), daughter of Greg and Theresa Prince, played vital roles toward both of these results.
Prince is the captain of the U.S. Indoor Team and she is a full-time assistant coach with the Saint Joseph’s field hockey program. Following high school, she played field hockey for the University of Massachusetts. She earned a degree in public health in 2015, but Hannah’s career has so far been in the sport she’s loved since her early Gorham days.
Photo credit Yan Huckendubler, courtesy of Pan American Hockey FederationUSA Women’s Indoor Hockey Team Captain Hannah Prince (left) sticks to it in more ways than one when it comes to field hockey. The team recently won the gold medal at the Pan American Cup in Guyana, qualifying for February’s World Cup in Berlin. The U.S. beat Argentina (above) in the final, and went 7-0 in the tournament.
She spent a year as a full-time resident player with the U.S. National Field Hockey Team (outdoor), and was in a coaching position at the University of New Hampshire when she got the call from indoor head coach Jun Kentwell, asking if she was interested in playing for this very selective squad. The indoor program trains together on weekends at Kentwell’s WC Eagles premier field hockey developmental club facilities in Spring City, Pennsylvania, about a 45- minute drive from Philadelphia. They train more when preparing for big tournaments. Like many of her teammates, she had to travel a long way to practice, driving from UNH for her first year with the team. The Saint Joseph’s job was literally a good career move.
Saint Joseph’s head coach Lynn Farquhar’s website comments include this about the first year assistant: “Hannah is an enthusiastic and energetic leader that sparks a smile. We are firm believers in contagious energy.” She continued, “Hannah is a tremendous role model for our Hawk student-athletes, as she brings playing experience from the A-10, NCAA, and international levels. Her leadership has continued to flourish while coaching at UNH and serving as the captain of the Indoor National Team. Hannah will have an immediate impact in strengthening our championship mentality, defensive grit, and fitness levels.”
Prince said the joy of coaching is, “Getting to push the girls; teach the girls and see them improve. See the drive to improve in these college athletes. I’m all about work ethic and playing out of your comfort zone.” The challenge at this high level, she said, is, “These athletes are perfectionists and have high expectations. They want to do things quickly, see results instantly. Process doesn’t happen in one hour or one practice.”
As for the Pan Am gold and the upcoming World Cup, Prince said, “This was an incredible team effort. We are proud to be the first U.S. Women’s Indoor Team to qualify for the Indoor World Cup and especially proud to have the only female coach in the tournament. Jun (Kentwell) is a fantastic coach and motivator.”
Prince stays very connected to Gorham, and was quick to rattle off names of mentors and other supporters in the community. She stays in touch with varsity coach Becky Manson, who said, “Hannah Prince continues to be an inspiration to the Gorham Field Hockey program. Each new season she contacts me and asks about how things are going. She sends the team something to handout to each player. She’s a tremendous human being and has shown what hard work can bring someone when they give it their all.”
Speaking of traveling, the tournament play in Berlin in February will likely be preceded by some scrimmages somewhere else on the continent. Be it Amherst, Durham, Guyana, Australia, Austria, or Philadelphia, Hannah Prince has her hockey equipment along for the ride.