VILLANOVA, PA- It was an international experience for the Academy of Notre Dame field hockey team as they hosted players from The British Schools of Montevideo, Uruguay on Friday Afternoon.
The game was organized with the help of Notre Dame team captain and Princeton commit, Mary Kate Neff.
World renown WC Eagles Field Hockey Club in Pottstown, PA, who Neff is a member, commissioned the team to come to the United States as part of a two-week game tour throughout the Philadelphia area. Neff asked her head coach Adele Williams for the chance to play the team and without hesitation, Williams said yes.
“A lot of our girls play for the club, so I thought it was a great opportunity and we made it happen,” said Williams.
For the Notre Dame team this game was a way of showing their American spirit on and off the field.
The Irish welcomed their visitors with open arms. The Uruguay team was greeted with a gift exchange and tailgate reception on the campus’s beautiful grounds.
Academy of Notre Dame senior captain center midfielder Mary Kate Neff
British Schools of Montevideo, Uruguay senior forward Marcarena Cagmoli
Defensive and offensive skill sets from both teams
Both teams share friendly hugs and handshakes after the game
ND head coach Adele Williams decribes what it meant for her team to have the chance to play against this skilled squad.
British Schools of Motevideo head coach Sebastian Castillo talks about his team's trip to the United States.
The British Schools’ squad consisted of 31 players and four coaches.
The friendly game ended 6-2 in favor of the Irish. However, this game was not about a victory, it was a game played which forged a collective and global spirit for the love of the sport. An experience either teams will surely never forget.
The Montevideo team will visit and play against 12 local high schools before heading back to South America.
