AUGUSTA — After leading her team to a championship, Hope Bouchard earned another top prize Sunday.
Bouchard, a Lawrence midfielder, won the Miss Maine Field Hockey award, given to the best senior field hockey player in the state. Bouchard beat out Thornton Academy defender Zoey Pennell, Biddeford midfielder Khianna Jackson and Lisbon midfielder Haley-Jane Tuplin for the honor, the first one Lawrence has received.
Bouchard scored 10 goals and had 32 assists while leading the Bulldogs to an 18-0 record and the Class B title.
“I was a little surprised to hear my name as a finalist,” Bouchard said. “I never thought I’d make it that far. … To hear (Coach) Shawna (Robinson) talking about me up there, it felt really good. And to hear me announced (as the winner), it felt so amazing.”
Bouchard was the versatile leader for the Bulldogs. The school record-holder with 62 assists, she was a key playmaker on offense as well as a defensive linchpin and the flier on corners.
“She’s an irreplaceable player,” Robinson said. “Hope could have scored more. She’d rather give that ball up if it’s a better opportunity for somebody else. She’s the most unselfish kid I’ve ever met. She just wants success for everybody, and she has no idea how good she is.”
As an elementary school player, Bouchard went with other players to work with the high school team. Robinson asked her for her position, and she answered “I can play anywhere.”
“I’ve tried to follow that aspect throughout,” she said. “I take pride in that.”
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