Dental Arts of Westwood Athlete of the Month: Moira Kenneally

Moira Kenneally just finished a fantastic high school field hockey career, capping off her senior campaign being named TVL Large MVP for her outstanding play as Westwood’s goalkeeper. Moira has committed to play field hockey at Bryant University, and spent a few minutes responding to a few questions I fired her way:
 
Tom: How fulfilling was this season, which included a TVL Large championship, especially after it took a while for the team to figure some things out?
 
Moira: This season itself has been the most fulfilling for me through the four years I’ve been on the team because not only did we bring the TVL Large back to Westwood, which I don’t believe we have done since my freshman year, the team itself was super hard-working and a really great group of girls. We really did have a rocky start to the season with two back to back ties and a 4-0 loss to a good Hopkinton team, but we worked hard and came together as a team. We really worked on our communication, consistency and teamwork which I think really turned our season around, we came into our own and made it to the Elite Eight, which we also had not done since my freshman year.
 
Tom: Going back in time, what drew you to the sport of field hockey originally?
 
Moira: In eighth grade we had the opportunity to choose between volleyball and field hockey. I was honestly going to sign up to play volleyball until I realized the height aspect wasn’t going to work in my favor. I went with the sport that being 5’2 in wouldn’t be problematic. In addition, I was playing soccer at the time, which was my number one sport. I didn’t think anything was going to deter me from that but ultimately I ended up quitting that for field hockey.
 
Tom: Not only were you drawn to field hockey, but you became a goalkeeper – that takes a very unique passion and skill-set. What did you like about playing goalkeeper?
 
Moira: Well I originally became a goalkeeper because I forgot my shoes and stick the first day of practice so I would have only been able to watch. The coach said they needed someone to play goalie and since they supplied the equipment I practiced as a goalie. I think that first practice sealed my fate. I had actually wanted to be a field player, but they kept asking me to practice as a goalie and that was the position I played the first game we had and then from then on that was the position they kept putting me in. Regarding a special skill set, I believe that all that’s needed to be a goalie is a strong mindset. If a goal goes in you have to shake it off and keep your head in the game. You can’t be afraid of the ball and shots being fired at you which isn’t easy, especially when you see a hard and fast shot coming straight at your pads and even though you want to get out of the way you stay and try to save it.
 
Tom: You had the opportunity to play at the varsity level with your sisters. Describe to me what that was like to play together?
 
Moira: I am super lucky that I have been able to play with my sisters at the varsity level for the last two years. I’m really lucky because I’m really close with both Emma and Claire. I’m only eleven months older than them and when I was little I thought I was a twin too. We are really close on and off the field. There was this one play when I cleared the ball and Emma received it, she drove the ball up the field and passed to Claire who shot at net. Unfortunately, we didn’t score, but that would have been an awesome story to tell had we done it!
 
Tom: There was a magical game where you stopped 31 shots. That’s incredible – one save for every flavor of ice cream at Baskin Robbins. What was that game like?
 
Moira: I would say that that game versus Medway is some of the strongest field hockey that I played this season. Medway was a great team, they were poised, aggressive and relentless. I came into the game knowing that some of the girls on their team were committed to play in college, and remembered how we tied them last year. Medway was aggressive but I was more aggressive, I wanted to win so badly. They have an awesome turf field and we were playing in the rain which is the best for a goalkeeper, we love playing on wet turf so I was really in my element and prepared. I knew I had a lot of shots on me, but I didn’t know it was that many! When you’re in the zone you’re just playing and doing your job. I was more excited that we sunk five goals in the opposing net and we had won the game. Later on, when I found out that I had saved 31 shots I was like Wow, that’s crazy!
 
Tom: You have committed to play field hockey at the next level at Bryant University? What was it about Bryant that impressed you and what was the recruiting process like for you?
 
Moira: Yes, I verbally committed to playing field hockey at Bryant University last December and I cannot wait to get there and start playing at the collegiate level. I actually started the recruiting process late because I honestly never thought I would be able to play a sport in college, but the summer going into my junior year of high school I really hit the ground running and went to as many play dates at different colleges as I could. I think I attended two different play dates at Bryant and also attended a few tournaments that were hosted on their field hockey field. Every time I went down there I loved it more and more. I had a couple of other colleges who were interested in me, but ultimately I found that Bryant was the best fit for me and my family. I am very interested in going into the business world and am thinking about either finance or economics and they are known for their business programs.
 
Tom: Do you have a favorite memory of your time playing field hockey at Westwood?
 
Moira: The night that Ellie Harrington scored the game-winning goal in our playoff game against Masconomet. That is a memory I will never forget! It was a hard game, our teams were very evenly matched with a 0-0 score. We had to go into overtime and just 22 seconds into overtime Bridget Hughes got the ball, passed to Ellie Harrington who buried the ball into Masconomet’s net. I don’t know who was more stunned, Masconomet, Ellie or our team. It was an unbelievable play! It was the best bus ride home!
 
Tom: Who’s your funniest teammate and why?
 
Moira: Maeve Hennessey is definitely the funniest player on the team no contest. If you know Maeve, you’d know she is very outgoing and quick witted. She has a way of making any situation funny.
 
Congrats to Moira for being our Dental Arts of Westwood Athlete of the Month. If you’d like to nominate a future athlete to profile, send an email to dbezdedeanu@bestversionmedia.com.