Paula Cavanagh will be integral to the Pilgrim field hockey team next year in more ways than one.

Cavanagh is a dynamic scorer, as evidenced by her 15 goals and 33 points, both top 3 in the state, but she was already a captain as a junior, too. As Pilgrim merges with a majority of the students from Warwick Vets, Cavanagh’s vivacious personality and innate ability to lead will come in handy as well.

“It’s great to have her back,” Pilgrim head coach Stephanie Shields said. “It’ll definitely help, especially this year when we’ll be combining with Vets players as well, having her will be very important for that positive perspective on the field all the time. [We’ll be] joining those two groups of players together who have been on-the-field rivals, and she does know some of the players on both teams. So It’s going to be very important to bring everyone together.”

Once Cavanagh helps to unite the two sides, Pilgrim can be a force in Division II. She thrives as a playmaker, and with a wealth of talent around her, she can join in on the fun as well.

“She has a great feel for the game and she can anticipate very well, she’s got quick speed to the ball and great reaction time, which definitely helps how she can anticipate the play,” Shields said. “She also makes plays happen as well. She also makes things happen as well for herself and other players.”

Cavanagh has been impacting the Pats ever since she stepped on the grass as a freshman. Her mindset of encouraging others to play better has an effect on the team as a whole. It shows in the results, as Pilgrim came on strong at the end of the 2015 season to make a playoff run.

The Pats fell in the first round to eventual D-II runner-up South Kingstown, but only by a score of 2-0. With Cavanagh back to lead the crew again, Pilgrim can make it even deeper in the postseason.

“She has an overall positive attitude as well, whether or not it’s on the field or off the field,” Shields said. “She’s always willing to step up, whether it’s playing or we have to plan a fundraiser. Girls really do look up to her.”

-J.M.

HONORABLE MENTION

Lindsey Fontes, Pilgrim

Madison Stanley, Pilgrim

Madeleine Cox, TG

Morgan Oliver, WV

COACH OF THE YEAR

Jim Areson, WV

ALL CITY TEAM

Natasha Savage, WV, MF

Kelsey Holmes, TG, F

Caroline Henn, TG, F

Stephane Langevin, Pilgrim, F

Maddie Axtmann, WV, F

Nicole Procaccini, WV, F

Kayla Morin, WV, F

Brittney Boyd, WV, MF

Michelle Spremulli, WV, D

Arietta Chevian, WV, D

Brittney Ayotte, TG, GK

Mary Greenwell, WV, GK