South River High School senior Hope Battista (right) signs her National Letter of Intent to play field hockey at Georgetown on Wednesday. Seahawks coach Katie Corcoran looks on.
by Aaron Gray
South River High School senior Hope Battista said it was a tough choice.
On one side, she had Georgetown, which has an emerging field hockey program and
an excellent business school. On the other was Maryland, which has a powerhouse
field hockey program that has won two of the last three national championships.
"It was so hard to decide but I know I made the right choice," said
Battista, a four-year defensive starter with the Seahawks.
Battista signed her National Letter of Intent on Wednesday to play field hockey
for the Hoyas.
"The education there is phenomenal and I know I'm not going to play field
hockey forever," she said. "Education and studying business at
Georgetown is what matters most to me."
Battista also felt she has a better chance of playing early at Georgetown,
which also appealed to her.
"I have a better opportunity to play early at Georgetown and I want to get
in there and make a difference," she said.
She definitely has made a difference with the South River program she's leaving
behind. Battista is the first Division I signee from the program, which should
open the door for other young Seahawks.
"Hope set the bar high and she's the first of many more to come,"
South River coach Katie Corcoran said. "She has been an amazing leader and
a fantastic defender for us. Hope will be missed but we're going to watch her
career at Georgetown and we're very happy for her."
Battista, considered the best defender in Anne Arundel County this past year,
tallied three defensive saves, seven goals and six assists. She helped lead the
Seahawks to a Class 4A East Region championship berth.