By Kayla Rosen
Coming off a NYSAIS championship season, RCDS field hockey is looking to continue its success this fall with a mix of experienced leaders and younger players ready to step into larger roles. Four Wildcats have already received preseason recognition. Bailey Donovan ‘27, Greta Leslie ‘27, C.C. Liu ‘28, and Alexandra Lund ‘28 were named to the 2026 Lohud Elite 11 Field Hockey Watch List, which features nearly 100 players expected to be key contributors this season.
After graduating a talented group of players last spring, the Wildcats are now led by captains Donovan and Leslie. This year’s team also welcomes several new players, including new RCDS students and two eighth-graders. “We have a lot of new faces and are excited to get the season off to a great start, incorporating new talent on the team,” Leslie said. Coach Clemmie Everett said the returning players have quickly welcomed the newcomers, helping create a tight-knit team dynamic. Donovan said that she and Leslie have focused on breaking down barriers between players of different grades, friend groups, and levels of experience. “I think that we have all come together, regardless of our age or years on the team,” Donovan stated, adding that in her four years with the program, this group has some of the strongest chemistry she has experienced.
Everett is also excited about the team’s potential. “We have strong senior leadership and a core group of experienced players.We also have players who have put in a lot of work during the offseason, and it has been very exciting to see the improvements that they have made!”
The Wildcats opened their season with a 2-1 victory over Greenwich Country Day School on September 9. KC Greenberger ‘30 and Donovan each scored for RCDS, giving the team a strong start to its NYSAIS title defense. After falling behind 1-0, the Wildcats secured the win in the final seconds. Donovan pointed to the comeback as an example of the team’s “perseverance and grit,” saying that the players “never stopped working throughout the game.”
Looking ahead, RCDS will face several important matchups, including Hackley on September 23 and Holy Child during Wildcat Weekend on October 17. While another NYSAIS title remains a major goal, Donovan emphasized that the team is also focused on growing throughout the season. “Of course our goal this season is to win the NYSAIS league and continue our winning streak, but more importantly we would just love to grow as a team, try our hardest in every game, and build strong relationships with our teammates,” Donovan said.
Although the roster may look different from last year, the team’s culture remains the same. As Everett put it, “Tradition never graduates,” a mindset the Wildcats hope to carry into the 2026 season.
