Teresa Segreti '14 Recruiting Profile

          Growing up, the only option I had was to play hockey on a boys team.  It was a unique opportunity and since I was usually the only girl on my team, and sometimes in the league, I learned to play with toughness, speed, aggressiveness and most of all I learned to keep my head up.  I've had many memorable seasons, an example being when, as the captain, I led my junior high school's boys team to a league championship. That following year as a freshman I played junior varsity boys hockey and served as an alternate captain on a 14u girls travel team. I also played games with the 19u girls, which gave me experience playing at a higher level and showed me the level where I wanted to bring my game. My sophomore year (2010-2011) I transferred schools and became the first girl ever to play boys varsity hockey at John S. Burke Catholic High School. That same year I played girls travel on a 19u team and played both defense and offense.  My most memorable season however, is this past season (2011-2012) when I played for the Hudson Valley Polar Bears 18u boys Midget Major team and participated in the National Championship in Michigan.  Although boys and girls hockey sometimes feels like night and day, I have learned to adjust my aggressive style to fit each game. This year I have made the switch from boys hockey, to girls varsity prep school hockey at the Hotchkiss School.  In addition to school hockey, I am playing with the CT Polar bears girls u19 tier 1 team. I strongly believe that to improve your game, you need to push yourself to play out of your comfort zone.  Every year, I strive to play at a more competitive level, in a more competitive program. The switch to prep school has also challenged me to pursue higher academic standards. Between off ice training and two hockey teams, I have managed to keep an overall A average. My drive and desire to improve on the ice and in school will stay with me through college and I believe it will make me a great addition to any school. I pride myself in setting small goals and working to achieve them one at a time. Goal setting provides a momentum to your training and practice that I believe is important for any athlete. School size and location are not an issue for me because I am always open to something new and exciting. For me, hockey and school have always gone hand in hand, and I look forward to the challenges of a competitive hockey, and academic program.