Alison Tom '22 Recruiting Profile

My name is Alison Tom, a student in the class of 2022.  I am looking to play field hockey at the collegiate level. I have been a starting center midfielder for the Smithtown High School West varsity team since my freshman year. Last season, I was a major contributor to my team; leading us to the playoffs. 

I began my field hockey career a little later than most.  I played travel soccer and intramural lacrosse; in addition to doing competitive dancing throughout grade school. As I got older and the demands of school became greater, I decided to drop the club sports to focus on high school and try new sports.  I joined the track team in 7th grade. The coach recognized my speed, having been undefeated in both 55m hurdles and 55m dash and breaking some long standing school and invitational records.  He suggested that I try out for field hockey in middle school and see if I could develop the skill to play on his varsity team when I reach high school. I picked up the sport pretty quickly since many of the skills I developed in other sports transferred over very well.  In high school, I decided to continue with field hockey.  I was one of two freshmen to be selected for the varsity team and I started every game.  Each year my play has evolved and matured.

I am looking to join a team that appreciates a player who has a good understanding of team play and supporting teammates.  While I have the speed and stick skills to move up and down the field with the ball to defend and generate offense, I am always looking for my teammates to pass to and willing to take the opportunities to make plays when they are there.  Having played years as a defender in soccer, those instincts to get back and protect the goal are always there.  My defender skills are solid and described as tenacious regardless of the skill or size of the player I am up against.  Offensively, my role is to move the ball down field using my stick skills, speed and passing skills.  Skills that don’t always get me high goal stats, but many assists and recognition by the field hockey coaches committee as an unsung hero since my freshman year.

Academically, I am looking to pursue a career in nursing and have been working on my core high school classes focused on that goal.  My upcoming senior year will not be an easy one, as I am trying to challenge myself with some science and math classes.  It will definitely be a tougher year than if I chose to take lighter electives, but I believe this challenge will better prepare me for what is to come when I attend college.