Academy of Notre Dame’s Saylor Milone is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week (Nov. 20-26)

A senior forward and captain, Milone scored 62 goals for the PAISAA field hockey champions this fall, and dished out the assist for the only goal in the PAISAA championship contest Nov. 15 and tallied four goals in the team’s 5-0 win against EA in the PAISAA semifinal. She now holds the school record for career field hockey goals with 146. Last summer, she was a member of the WC Eagles team that won the U19 National Club Championship. Last fall, she scored 52 goals for the Irish (Inter-Ac co-champions) and was named the Inter-Ac’s MVP. Next fall, she will be playing field hockey for the University of Michigan. Off the field at Academy of Notre Dame, Milone is an Honor Corps Member, STEM Scholar, Student Ambassador, Spanish Club Member, Tutor and National Honors Society Member. Academy of Notre Dame head coach Brandi Ritz said, “Saylor’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. She possesses an unmatched level of skill, commitment and work ethic, and a relentless drive to succeed. Her ability to consistently deliver outstanding performances is another testament to her dedication and love for the game.”

Q: Tell us a little about your experience in the PAISAA champion game against Hill School, winning 1-0.

 

A: I could not have asked for a more incredible final season of high school field hockey. Playing such an intense, high-energy

game against the extremely talented Hill School team was by no means an easy task, and coming away with a victory in the biggest game of my career is something that I will never forget. The

moment we won the championship will stick with me for the rest of my life. Winning the PAISAA was an incredible, surreal feeling that defines the passion and dedication that I associate with my Notre Dame field hockey team.

 

Q: What do you think has been the biggest key(s) to your scoring success this season?

 

A: I think that the biggest keys to my scoring success this season have been my willingness to utilize new skills on the field, vary my shot selection, and put myself in positions to either rebound or score in the circle based on the defense.

 

Q: What part of your game are you working on the most currently?

 

A: Over the summer, I spent a lot of time working on elimination skills into shots on goals, which has translated in my play this season. I have found that this training has put me in positions with the ball where I am comfortable relying on my skills to set myself up for a high-percentage shot. Currently, I am working on improving my defensive techniques and closing down my opponent’s time and space while pressing.

 

Q: How do you view your leadership role as a captain – on and off the field?

 

A: I was honored to have been selected by my teammates and coaches to obtain this leadership position. Personally, being a captain has allowed and encouraged me to use my voice more on the field, become a more effective communicator, and appreciate being a role model for others. I view my being a captain as a way to unite and uplift my teammates, successfully collaborate with my coaches, and represent Notre Dame to the best of my ability, both on and off the field.

 

Q: Your mom (Stacy) played both field hockey and lacrosse at Georgetown University, and signed you up for many field hockey clinics at a young age. Although you have played many sports, you focused on field hockey. What specifically attracted you to field hockey?

 

A: I was attracted to field hockey from a young age because of both the speed of the game and the skills it requires to be successful. I enjoy field hockey because there is always something new to learn about the game or techniques to attempt. Throughout all the years I’ve played, I have loved field hockey because it provides me with the opportunity to use my speed and compete in

the greatest of competitive environments.

 

Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 13 for Notre Dame field hockey. Why did you choose that number?

 

A: I have always loved the number 13, partially because it is my birth date, but throughout all my years of playing, I’m never disappointed looking in the mirror and seeing the one and three on my jersey. Now, it represents a culmination of my accomplishments when donning No. 13.

 

Q: Who have been your top field hockey mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?

 

A: Instantly, when asked about my field hockey mentors, I think of the coaches I have been lucky enough to learn from with Notre Dame field hockey. Brandi Ritz, Adele Williams, Emily Walsh and Nicholl Fenton have each served as an inspiration to me throughout this season and ones in the past. They have allowed me to develop into the player that I am today with consistent guidance and feedback. Each is positive, encouraging, and dedicated to the sport, and from them I have learned the importance of goal-setting, discipline, and communication. Others mentors for me have been two coaches with whom I train individually, Katie Evans and

Katie Grant. Both have experience playing at the highest level possible on the United States National Team. They are phenomenal role models, and I give each of them credit for allowing me to become the player I am today. Katie Evans has taught me about the importance of following your dreams and what consistent hard work does for you in terms of success. Katie Grant has pushed me to my limits when training and provided me with insight into looking at my performance objectively, using that to fuel how I train and the many ways in which I can improve.

 

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

 

A: On a typical game day, I get to school around 8 a.m. and go to my first class of the day. Afterwards, I spend time in the training room, stretching and preparing my body for a challenge later in the afternoon. Then, I attend the rest of my classes, and once I am dismissed, put on my uniform and get ready to play. I usually eat a snack right when leaving school before a game. When warm-ups start, I switch my mentality to be completely focused on the opponent at hand. I like listening to our music and finding my rhythm during team warm-ups to prepare to play my best.

 

Q: What is your favorite academic course at Academy of Notre Dame? What do you plan to major in at the University of Michigan? Is there a career path that particularly appeals to you at the present time?

 

A: My favorite academic course at the Academy of Notre Dame is Macroeconomics, and I plan to major in Business Administration at the University of Michigan. This year is my first year taking an economics class that is business-oriented, and I truly enjoy it. I appreciate the practical application of economics to everyday life and being able to gain an understanding of the flow of goods and services throughout the world is particularly interesting to me. I am interested in pursuing business next year because I am a number-oriented student, and business is a culmination of some of my passions: creativity, data sciences, managing, and marketing. Right

now, a career in business is most appealing to me.

 

Fun facts – Saylor Milone

Favorite book: The Alchemist.

Favorite place to visit: Colorado.

Favorite pre-game meal: Peanut butter and banana toast.

Person I most admire, and why: “I most admire my parents because of all that they do for me on a daily basis that has allowed me to become the person and athlete that I am today. Their encouragement and support for me is unparalleled and I am beyond grateful for their presence and impact in my life.”

Family members: parents Michael and Stacy, younger sister Reese, younger brother Nicholas and younger sister Maisie.

 

(To be selected for Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)

To view a gallery of the previous Main Line Girls Athletes of the Week click here