×

Sam Peters ends career on high note

BLOOMSBURG — A former Mifflin County High School field hockey player hung up her stick for the last time Nov. 5 before earning a plethora of awards for excellence on and off the field.

Sam Peters, a 2013 graduate of Mifflin County who later called Harrisburg home, furthered her field hockey career at Bloomsburg University, where she was extremely successful.

Peters finished her career with three National Field Hockey Coaches Association Scholar of Distinction awards for academic excellence and also was named All-PSAC First Team in 2016, while previously a spot on the 2015 All-PSAC Third Team.

Peters received a PSAC Top 10 award, a distinction given to five female and five male athletes who excel in the classroom and on the field. Peters is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

“Hard work and dedication to nursing and field hockey was always a priority to me during my career,” Peters said.

In Peters’ first season, she made an immediate impact, playing in 19 games for the Huskies — the college version — while finishing third on the team in goals and points. Peters also tallied a hat trick in a game against then No. 5 Kutztown, while also netting an overtime game-winner against Indiana (Pa.) in 2013.

“Receiving substantial playing time my freshman year was a great experience,” Peters said. “Collegiate field hockey is played at a higher pace than high school. Having the opportunity to play I was able to adapt to the change of intensity more quickly. Registering a hat trick my freshman year was a great achievement but every game is won by a team effort so scoring really did not mean that much to me.”

In 2015, Peters appeared in all 20 games and started 19 contests. Peters led the team with seven goals, 16 points, 36 shot attempts, and 29 shots on goal. She also scored a game-winning goal in the PSAC quarterfinals against Shippensburg. Peters was acknowledged for her stellar play with the third team all-conference selection.

“It was great to see all of my hard work was paying off on the field, being named to All-PSAC Third Team was an honor,” Peters said.

In 2016, Peters was at it again, scoring four game-winning goals while leading her team once again with 12 goals, 26 points and 27 shots on goal. Peters was named to the 2016 All-PSAC First Team, and later an All-American for her excellence on the field.

“Being someone the underclassmen could look up to and also being able to step up when my team needed me was rewarding,” Peters said. “Being selected as an All-American was always a dream of mine. When the selections were made I was very honored and proud of my achievements.”

Peters was spectacular for Indian Valley High School before playing a key role for the Mifflin County High School team. Led by coach Tish Maclay through all four of her high school seasons, Peters excelled, scoring 33 goals and 12 assists in two seasons at Indian Valley, before breaking out for 54 goals for Mifflin County in her final two seasons to go along with nine assists.

“Sam was a dedicated player who always had a great work ethic. She was a leader on and off the field and excelled in the classroom and on the field,” Maclay said. “She was always willing to ask questions to learn the game and never backed down from a challenge. She played fast and hard and had an amazing work ethic. It was a privilege and honor to coach Sam.”

“Playing field hockey at Indian Valley shaped me to the player I am today,” Peters said. “Coach Maclay pushed us every day at practice, more than most of us liked but that is the main reason our program was always so successful.”

Peters was a three-sport athlete at Mifflin County, also participating in indoor and outdoor track and field. She also played with the Mifflin County High Intensity ASA softball program.

She acknowledged her coaches’ roles in helping her improve on and off the field.

“Some coaches who have really shaped the athlete and person I am today are Tish Maclay, Steve Myers and Scot Sechler,” Peters said. “All three have challenged me to aspire to do great things and I cannot thank the three of them enough for all of my success.”

Peters, who will graduate from nursing school in May, plans to start working as a pediatric nurse.

With stellar performances on and off the field, Peters has set herself up for an extremely successful future.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $3.92/week.

Subscribe Today