2019 | Maryland | COED

Middletown High School Hockey Club | Knights | COED

Brigette contacted me this fall with a surprise: she’d reevaluated her college plans and turned down an opportunity to play Division I NCAA lacrosse at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. “I simply don’t have the passion for lacrosse that I have for ice hockey and my desire to major in nursing is too important to me,â€_x009d_ she explained. “Is it too late to play this year?â€_x009d_
This was an easy question to answer. Brigette has worked hard and succeeded at developing her skills as an athlete:
•As a freshman she won the starting position at goalie for Middletown and achieved 8 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie, playing in 11 of the season’s 13 games. She also concurrently played goalie on the Frederick Jr. Freeze 14U AAA/Eastern Junior Elite Prospects League travel hockey club and earned her spot on the Honor Roll. Brigette understands how important it is to balance academic and athletic commitments.
•In her sophomore year Brigette’s save percentage led Middletown’s 3 goalies at 89.4% and in one game she skated out as a wing for the first time in over 5 years when the team was short-handed, adding two points to the scoresheet. The Washington Pride college preparatory girls hockey club discovered her and Brigette helped take them to a Nationals appearance. Brigette sacrifices for her team – she will play any role to contribute to her team.
•Brigette explored her other athletic abilities in her junior year and quickly earned a reputation as an unbeatable and determined goalie in the lacrosse net for Middletown High School in the Central Maryland Conference, earning All County, All Conference, and First Team Frederick News Post Awards. She caught the attention of several universities, leading to her UMBC plans. National Honors Society awards in Science and Math. When Brigette puts her mind to something, she achieves success.
On the academic front, Brigette leads all our seniors with straight A’s and National Honors Society awards. As a Key Club member, she gives to her community because she wants to. Brigette leads by example and has earned the respect of her teammates up and down the bench for her courage and toughness.
Rounding out her character, Brigette is a great human being destined to make a difference in peoples’ lives. When I asked her about her college plans, she told me she intends to study nursing, specializing in pediatrics and probably oncology. That’s the kind of answer you get from Brigette when you ask such a question. You get the complete, carefully considered, and well-informed answer. Brigette has answers for the challenges she will tackle in academics, athletics, and life. Even better, she is equipped with the skills and drive to put the answers to action.
As a high school hockey club coach, I get a glimpse at the potential of the young men and women who come to play the world’s greatest sport. Every now and then the all-star shows up: hard worker, excellent student, incredible athletic skills, and a solid ethical core. Brigette is our all-star. Her professional attitude, personal preparation, can-do spirit, and contributions to the team spirit and morale are what every coach hopes for when assembling the fall ice hockey roster. I didn’t expect to hear from Brigette this year as I knew she’d be probably protecting her lacrosse invitation to UMBC, but I’m happy I did. And so, my answer to her question was obvious. Too late? Not at all – go get your gear!