USA Field Hockey will be featuring weekly spotlights of U.S. U-21 Women's National Team members selected to represent Team USA at the women's Hockey Junior World Cup 2016 (JWC).
When she was 2 years old she moved to Montreal, Canada for 7 years. She was an ice hockey athlete her whole life. It wasn't until her junior year of high school when she decided to turn her full focus to field hockey, seeking to extend her playing career into college. She has a knack for working with children, enjoys watching Grey's Anatomy and loves Dunkin Donuts. Meet U.S. U-21 Women's National Team member Nicole Woods.
Nicole is the youngest in her family. They moved to Montreal in 1998 and after living there for 7 year moved to Massachusetts, where both her mother and father's families are from. Ironically enough, her family had never played or even seen field hockey before her sister switched from soccer to field hockey her sophomore year in high school. Everyone on her dad's side of the family grew up playing ice hockey. She considered playing in college, but it wasn't until the summer going into her junior year of high school that she decided to pursue field hockey at the next level.
Her parents are her biggest fans and supporters. Even though the University of Louisville is a 15-hour drive from their hometown, they make it to almost every game, and even considered moving to Louisville.
One of her favorite parts about her hometown is how tight-knit the community is and how it is a guarantee that if you take a trip to the grocery store you will see someone you know. She also enjoys the fact that it is right on the east coast and trip to the beach is only a 5-minute drive.
At Louisville, she lives in a house with eight of her teammates, which is extremely fun. They do a lot together aside for field hockey. One of their favorite bonding activities is sharing a meal of sushi or getting breakfast at their favorite restaurants early in the morning.
Quick Facts about Nicole
Position: Forward
Hometown: Beverly, Mass.
Joined Junior High Performance: 2014
High School: Beverly High School
Club Team: North East Elite
College: University of Louisville
Major: Education
International Playing Experience: 2014 U.S. U-19 Women's National Team, 2015-16 U.S. U-21 Women's National Team
Field Hockey Awards: 2015 All-ACC Second Team, NFHCA All-Region First Team
Began Playing Field Hockey: 2010 (6 years)
Best Words of Advice: Before every game my high school ice hockey coach would say, "Let's be great today."
Most Memorable Field Hockey Moment: Playing against Northeastern in Massachusetts with my entire family watching
Favorite Vacation Sports: Florida
Parents: Jack and Betsy Woods
Siblings: Michael, older brother, & Corinne, older sister
Consider supporting the U.S U-21 Women's National Team as they prepare to wear the red, white and blue on the world stage November 23 - December 4, 2016 by donating to their Rally U.S. to the Cup campaign. All funds raised will be used to help supply coverage of travel, meals, medical treatment and more for the U-21 USWNT. Click here to donate.
Photo Credit: Michelle Hutchins (University of Louisville) & Nicole Woods