Leonardtown High Field Hockey Champ Lily Mitchell Named To Junior National Team

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Lily Mitchell of Leonardtown High School is capping off her senior season in a big way. Mitchell, fresh off Leonardtown’s first state field hockey championship win since 1994, was just named to the United States Junior National Team in the U18 age division.

The U.S. Women’s Junior National Team is selected each year in three age brackets (U16, U18 and U21) through a series of training camps. Athletes are invited to the camps and proceed through different levels, where they’re either cut or eventually selected for the team. Mitchell will also be invited to another camp in February to try out for the touring team, which will play in England in March.

For Mitchell, there was no better way to end her high school field hockey career — other than having her mom and sister by her side. Mitchell’s sister, Taylor, was a freshman on the team this year. Their mother, Chris, was their coach.

Chris Mitchell played for the U.S. Women’s National Team and got to see the world while playing the sport she loved. Her daughter said that she grew up looking at her mother’s scrapbooks and was inspired to see what was possible.

“I never aspired to be just like my mother,” Mitchell said. “But if I hadn’t grown up with that support, and knowing what was possible in the sport I loved, I definitely wouldn’t have gotten where I am,” Mitchell said.

“I think if you speak to anyone growing up in sports, it’s every kid’s dream to be able to represent Team USA,” she added. “Making this team is one of the things you hear about growing up, and start to think, maybe I can do that, too.”

Chris Mitchell agreed, adding that Lily is the epitome of a well-rounded athlete, a hard worker and an exceptional leader. Both have worked to separate their relationship as parent and child from their relationship as coach and player, and said their shared love of field hockey has helped Lily pursue her goals with plenty of family support.

“We never pressured them into hockey,” Chris Mitchell said. “We wanted them to pick the sport they loved, and made sure they knew we would be there.”

Chris Mitchell also added that Lily’s determination helped put Southern Maryland on the map for field hockey and brought national attention to other local players. She hopes that these players can pursue their goals, too.

“I know how it feels wanting to wear a U.S. jersey and the honor that comes with it,” she added. “It’s extra special because I have a love of hockey and get to be more involved than a typical parent. I see how much work she puts in on the field as her coach, and off the field as her mom. It’s been great to see her achieve this.”

Lily Mitchell is heading to Towson University in the fall to join their Division I field hockey team. She also participates in outdoor track and field in the spring, and continues to play for her club team, The Southern Maryland Eliminators, which has played a major role in shaping the player she is today.

Both Mitchells agree that while youth sports can come with pressure, the most important thing is to have fun with your friends — something Lily Mitchell has found with the Eliminators during her many years playing and training with the team. With so many talented athletes in Southern Maryland and growing pressure for kids to win in their sports, both Mitchells emphasize the importance of fun and passion.

Mitchell also scored the winning goal at states and was recently named Third Team All-American, and says she is still “on such a high” from this season’s achievements. As she heads onto more training camps, she has two goals: enjoying every minute and pushing herself to get as far as she can go.

“As you get older in sports, people always tell you to be realistic with your goals,” Mitchell said. “That’s important, but I also think you need to keep dreaming. And then you need to put in a lot of work.”

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