If Greens Farms Academy field hockey coach Liz Schuellein ever had a problem or a concern with her team, position-wise, she knew she had the answer in Lilly Hogan.
“Lilly has been such an amazing utility player over the last five years,” said Schuellein, adding that Hogan was the first-ever middle school player she pulled up to the varsity level as coach.
Her versatility kept her on the field for all five her seasons and now that career is continuing at the next level as Hogan, a GFA lifer, has announced she will play for Bates College starting in the fall.
Hogan was one of 12 Dragon student-athletes feted on Wednesday, March 6, during the school’s annual Spring College Commitment ceremony held inside the Coyle Gym. Those 12 coupled with eight Dragons who committed during the National Letter of Intent signing period in the fall brings the school’s total to 20 different GFA athletes playing in college come fall.
“I really liked the atmosphere of Bates when I first visited,” Hogan said. “It was such a welcoming and open community that has made me excited for college. Not to mention the competitive field hockey and amazing athletics that it has to offer. It is really cool to get to play for an amazing program and be a part of an amazing community. I am so excited and cannot wait!”
The Bobcats are getting a player who has shone all over the field at whatever position her team needed her.
“Lilly grew each season and her addiction to field hockey was apparent,” Schuellein said. “She played as much as she could, wherever she could. I can easily say she's played every position for us besides goalkeeper, but if I needed her to she would have jumped in those pads in a moment.”
By the time her career was done, Hogan became the school’s all-time assist leader.
“Lilly has been one of the best team players I've ever coached and has a gift of supporting her teammates every chance she gets,” her coach said. “I am beyond thrilled she is helping such an amazing program like Bates! We can't wait to see her shine and probably go back to her original roots as a forward!”
Last season, Bates College was 13-6, falling to Williams in the NESCAC semifinals. The Bobcats qualified for the NCAA tournament, losing in the second round to second-seeded Babson by a 1-0 score in overtime.