New Hope-Solebury Field Hockey Players To Claim College Team Spots

NEW HOPE, PA — Two New Hope-Solebury students have committed to continue their field hockey careers in college next year.

Lydia Eastburn will play goalie for Tufts University and Kathryn Thistlewaite will play defense for Franklin and Marshall College, the school said in a news release.

The New Hope-Solebury Field Hockey Team, under the guidance of coach Gwen Smith, has an exceptional record. The team won the District championship for the past five years, and faced even more challenges from larger schools after joining the Suburban One League this year.

In 2019, when Eastburn first stepped into the varsity goalie net, the team ended its season with a 22 consecutive shutout streak, tying the national record for second place in consecutive shutouts.

“I learned more from our tougher games," Thistlewaite said. "Going into the finals, we had to figure out ways to win against really good teams. When we watched our game footage and took notes, any mistakes became more obvious. It gives you a focus and helps you improve on your weaknesses.”

Both worked hard in their college application process, too. They spent countless hours emailing and zooming with coaches, recording and editing game footage, and sending updates to their schools of interest. New Hope-Solebury said they also underwent early pre-read of their academic credentials in the summer of 2021 so that coaches could evaluate if they would be likely candidates for the university before offering them a roster position.

Thistlewaite started playing club field hockey in 6th grade, practicing twice a week and competing in local and national tournaments on weekends throughout the winter and spring. She also played for the Powerhouse Field Hockey Club.

Eastburn dedicated weekends and off-season time training with one of the top goalie coaches in the nation, Emily Snowden, and played for the Princeton Field Hockey Club to further develop her skills.

“I could not imagine myself spending my next four years after high school not being part of a team, which grew my desire to continue in college," Eastburn said. "The NHS field hockey team is truly a second family, and there was always the importance of building our skills in fundamentals, working and playing together, supporting one another on and off the field, and celebrating as a team.”

The family-like atmosphere Thistlewaite witnessed at Franklin and Marshall made
her choose the college — and reminded her of her high school experience.

“I felt it since my freshman year, we were so close, and we are always there for each other," she said. "I feel very at home with my field hockey team. That is what I was looking for. … If I didn’t have that in college, it would be like a missing part of me."

Coach Gwen Smith couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.

“I am so excited Kat and Lydia will be continuing their field hockey careers in college," she said. "It has been a privilege to see their growth and development as both people and players through the years. Their hard work and dedication have afforded them an opportunity to play at the next level, and I can’t wait to follow their careers at F&M and Tufts."

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