GREENE – The Greene Trojans Field Hockey program saw their second NCAA Division-I player sign a National Letter of Intent this season as Claire Moxley officially committed to the University of Vermont on Monday.
Moxley started playing the sport in kindergarten and hasn’t stopped since. In fourth grade, she knew she fell in love with the sport.
“I was playing for a local travel team and there was this one game where I took a stroke,” said Moxley. “I made it and I thought to my self, ‘Wow this is a great feeling.’ I remember feeling empowered and moved.”
When Moxley got to the JV level, playing under the now varsity head coach Christine Battaglini, she knew the sport of field hockey was her passion. After getting that feeling for the first time, Moxley knew whenever she needed a moment to clear her head, she went to pick up her stick.
Early this season, Moxley suffered a broken hand. Thinking to herself that everything could disappear for her after the injury, the Trojans senior wasn’t going to let it end her playing career.
After two weeks of sitting on the sidelines during games, she returned to the field and looked as if she never lost a step.
“Claire always found a way to keep a positive attitude [about the injury] and continued to be a student of the game,” said Battaglini. “By the time she was able to play again, Claire never skipped a beat.”
Throughout the time she was unable to play in game due to the contact of the sport, Moxley was able to continue working during practice on her own. Stickwork, something that is always a focus in the sport of field hockey, was her go-to.
According to her parents, Joe and Joanne Moxley, it was one of the main elements Claire was always striving to get better at.
“Late at night, all we would hear is ‘bang, bang, bang’ coming from downstairs and that was coming from Claire working on her game,” said her father Joe Moxley. “She’s just a very driven individual and I think a lot has to do with her being the youngest and having three older brothers [Leeland, Evan and Drew].”
“[Claire] was just so competitive at a young age just to keep up with them,” her mother Joanne added. “She works very hard and has earned everything when it comes to field hockey.”
Claire Moxley knew she wanted to attend the college when she went to visit in eighth grade. Even after being told to keep looking at other schools and to keep her options open, she knew she wanted to become a Vermont Vcat.
“I instantly knew the University of Vermont is where I belonged,” said Claire. “I went to other schools but I always wanted to go back to Vermont and see the school one more time or say ‘I think Vermont is better for me.’ The culture, the different diversity and the excellent academics made me feel comfortable there.
“Of course the field hockey program had a part in the decision as well. The program is very up and coming. I feel I have potential to help the team now while learning who I am to become as a person while being at the University of Vermont.”
Joe and Joanne said the Claire has reached the level of play she has because of the sacrifices she gave up, like social events as a young kid or dances in high school, are what have given their daughter this opportunity of playing at the next level.
“We’re incredibly proud of Claire,” said Moxley’s mother. “We have sat back and supported her along the way but it has been all her. The motivation and the drive have all been from Claire herself.”
Battaglini closed by saying that Claire has some incredible skill sets and without a doubt, she will be a big contributor to the Vermont program. “Her strengths on both sides of the ball are a gift and she will truly be missed in Trojans uniform,” said the head coach.
Claire became the 19th Greene field hockey player to sign at Division-I program. Her teammate McKenna Sergi also signed a letter of intent this season, giving Battaglini her first two signees this season.
Sue Carlin, the former Trojan head coach, developed a strong field hockey program in New York State. Battaglini as well as coaches of the younger program have already and will continue the success of Greene field hockey.
“Stay humble and keep going,” Claire said as a piece of advice to the younger athletes of Greene. “Be driven and work hard because at the end of the day, it’s going to be beneficial.”
Vermont Field Hockey is under the direction of fourth year head coach Kate Pfeifer. She led the program to an 8-11 record this season, the highest win total since 2008 when the Vcats went 9-9. Claire will look to help increase that win total over the next four years once she graduates in June.