On October 11, Lily Saal (Form V), one of Fieldston’s most accomplished student-athletes, announced her commitment to play Division I Field Hockey at Georgetown University.
The journey began just over two years ago, when a thirteen-year-old Saal, brand new to Fieldston, took her first steps onto the Upper Field to try out for the field hockey team. “I wanted to do a fall sport to meet people,” remarked Saal. “So I showed up for field hockey preseason expecting a lot of scary seniors, and I ended up really falling in love with it.”
Although she had played many sports throughout her life, including baseball, softball, basketball and ice hockey, Saal had never played field hockey before. She humorously recounted that on the first day of preseason, she spent the car ride over studying the rules of field hockey, with her teammates having to explain them to her on the field.
Despite her inexperience, Saal seamlessly adapted to the sport. She recalled one defining moment in her freshman season when she took the ball down the field, full-speed, maneuvering defenders with skillful cuts and impressive lifts, and scored. The sequence left her teammates and coaches awestruck, and confirmed her love for field hockey. “It was like flying,” she said, “and I could not imagine anything more fun.”
Saal’s innate athleticism, impressive technical prowess and relentless work ethic were immediately apparent to her coaches and teammates. Center defender Vera Koontz (Form V) said, “The moment she walked into the upper gym, I could tell that she was a ball of energy. She had a certain determination to win that you wouldn’t expect from someone who’d never touched a field hockey stick before.” Sarah Abenante, a Fieldston alumna and former teammate of Saal’s, had a similar first impression, adding, “She has a drive like no one I’ve ever met, and I vividly remember her telling me as a 14-year-old that she would go D1. Not a day went by that I didn’t believe it… I am so crazy proud of her and I know she is the most deserving of this opportunity!”
Coach Diane Toth, too, recognized Saal’s exceptional capabilities from day one, observing key components of her athleticism such as coordination, balance, agility and strength. “She wasn’t afraid to run, she wasn’t afraid to push herself hard, she wasn’t afraid to sweat, she wasn’t afraid to make mistakes,” said Toth. Although Saal was initially placed on the JV team, Toth saw her potential and moved her up to the varsity team midway through the season.
By the end of her first season, Saal knew that she possessed the field hockey skills and competitive mindset needed to make an impact at the college level. Between her ninth and tenth-grade seasons, she attended numerous camps, clinics and showcases in pursuit of her ultimate goal of playing NCAA field hockey. She also started playing club field hockey, earning a coveted spot at the AGH Field Hockey Club, one of the top teams in the country. She entered her sophomore season stronger and more confident than ever, recording 22 goals and seven assists, and cementing her role as a team leader.
The summer before her junior year marked the height of the recruiting process for Saal, as she embarked on a whirlwind tour of college campuses and national showcases, searching eagerly for the perfect fit. She was immediately drawn to Georgetown, labeling it her “dream school.” The team’s unwavering commitment to the sport, incredible camaraderie and welcoming environment instantly won her over.
The momentum continued as Saal led the Fieldston team on a magical season marked by a historic win against Hackley — its first in ten years — and an Ivy League title. Toth emphasized Saal’s pivotal role in securing the title, hailing her as a “dominant player.” Two months into her junior season, Saal received an offer from Georgetown, being the first Fieldston field hockey player in twenty years to receive a DI offer. “I’m very excited to play college field hockey, especially in a place like Georgetown, that I’ve loved from the minute I stepped foot on campus,” said Saal. “But mostly, it’s a chance to keep getting better.” Her ultimate goal is to compete in the Olympics for the United States women’s national field hockey team.
Throughout her career, Saal has always made a point of acknowledging her teammates and coaches. “Without them,” she insists, “none of this would be possible.”
Beyond the field, Saal’s passion extends to journalism, as she serves as an Editor-in-Chief of “The Fieldston News.” She plans on furthering her journalistic career by studying Journalism at Georgetown.
Lily Saal’s story is one of determination, growth and a relentless pursuit of her dreams. Her announcement post on Instagram, culminating with the declaration, “All those car rides were worth it!,” serves as a reminder of the incredible journey she has undertaken, from that first preseason car ride when she barely knew the rules to the game, to the countless road trips during her recruitment process. Each one was, indeed, worth it.
