Wildcats field hockey team named MAC champs
Babb, Coach Fontaine honored Melnyk, Grace, Rego and Bessette named all stars
Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr.
Posted 11/20/24
The Westport field hockey team was named Mayflower Athletic Conference champs with an undefeated league record of 4-0 earlier this month. Wildcats’ forward Bella Babb was named MAC MVP and …
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Wildcats field hockey team named MAC champs
Babb, Coach Fontaine honored Melnyk, Grace, Rego and Bessette named all stars
Maddie Melnyk, a freshman, led the Wildcats in scoring. The center forward scored 18 goals and had 9 assists this season.
Photos by Rich Dionne
Bella Babb, a sophomore, was a stalwart player for Westport this season.
Sophia Rego (right), a freshman midfielder was phenomenal on free hits, especially side ins, according to Coach Fontaine.
Makayla Grace, a sophomore, is the Wildcats’ central midfielder. She scored 1 goal and tallied 9 assists for the Wildcats.
Wildcats' head coach Susie Fontaine was named MAC coach of the year.
Emma Bessette, a senior captain, plays midfielder for Westport and is a relentless defender, despite playing through pain this season.
Posted
The Westport field hockey team was named Mayflower Athletic Conference champs with an undefeated league record of 4-0 earlier this month. Wildcats’ forward Bella Babb was named MAC MVP and field hockey head coach Susie Fontaine was named Coach of the Year.
“They should all be proud of how well they played this season,” said Coach Fontaine. “I am very proud of them. Next year we will have half a dozen on the team that will be considered upperclassmen, and I expect a different outcome in the tournament.”
Westport finished the season with an overall record of 10-5-3. The 24th seeded Wildcats fell to Nantucket, the 9th seed, 1-0 in the round of 32 in the Division 4 state tournament.
Babb, a sophomore, was a stalwart player for Westport this season.
Bella always trained the hardest,” said Coach Fontaine. “She put her team first and play her heart out every game.”
Babb earned the Wildcats’ “Hustle Award” for her consistent work ethic during practice and in games.
Bella is masterful at dodging and getting the ball down field into scoring position,” Coach Fontaine said. “She plays selflessly. Sending passes across field to her center and left forward.”
Babb has also become a skilled defensive player. When the Wildcats had a tough time defending penalty corners, Coach Fontaine made Babb the fly, the defensive player to charge out towards the ball.
“Bella made a big difference,” Coach Fontaine said. “And had a near perfect defensive record as well.”
Maddie Melnyk, Makayla Grace, Sophia Rego, Emma Bessette and Babb were named all stars this season.
Melnyk, a freshman, led the Wildcats in scoring. The center forward scored 18 goals and had 9 assists this season.
“Maddie makes scoring look easy,” Coach Fontaine said. And it’s not as easy as it looks in field hockey. There is a level of difficulty that you are constantly trying to master.”
Coach Fontaine loves the sophomore’s versatility. Due to injuries, Melnyk a fierce defensive back had to play defense for three games during the regular season.
“Maddie played defense prior to being a forward,” Coach Fontaine explained. “With the injuries we had this season, we needed to move players around. She was outstanding and really helped balance the power in defense those games.”
Grace, a sophomore, is the Wildcats’ central midfielder. She scored 1 goal and tallied 9 assists for the Wildcats.
Makayla directs the play with skilled dodges, passes, and power hits,” said Coach Fontaine. “She has great ability to read the field. This skill gives the entire team a tremendous edge. She is instrumental on both offensive and defensive penalty corners.”
Rego, a freshman midfielder was phenomenal on free hits, especially side ins, according to Coach Fontaine. Side ins, particularly on the right side, are the the most difficult, she explained.
“Sophia worked hard this year to succeed at them,” Coach Fontaine said. “She was a very versatile player, playing all 3 lines—forward, midfield and defense.”
Rego scored 2 goals and 4 assists for the Wildcats this season. She played on the defensive back line and was a strong presence on penalty corners.
“Sophia always hustles all out,” she said. “She was the team's best transitioning player. She recognized when to shift from offense to defense. Many times it was her recovery that put an end to offensive breakaways.”
Bessette, a senior captain, plays midfielder for Westport and is a relentless defender, despite playing through pain this season.
“Emma is a very skilled player,” Coach Fontaine said. “She always in the right place where ever she was needed on the field. She filled the gaps and stopped opposing attacks. Offensively, she fed the ball up to the forward line.”
“I give her a lot of credit for drawing on personal fortitude through her injuries. She fought with everything she had for the team.”
“Emma played every position, but goalie this year,” she added. “She is such a versatile, valuable player, and she will be greatly missed.”
