Garden City teen aiming to build Long Island into field hockey powerhouse - New York Post

This article by The Post follows Garden City middle schooler Olivia Goncalves, who discovered Long Island lacks elite field hockey development programs despite fostering talent in other sports like soccer and lacrosse.

Goncalves fell in love with field hockey in third grade and quickly showed exceptional talent. When she couldn't find competitive local teams to match her elite aspirations, her family began making 60-mile round trips to Connecticut multiple times weekly so she could play with the prestigious AGH club team while maintaining her commitment to Garden City's middle school squad.

• Goncalves commutes to Connecticut several nights a week for elite-level field hockey training while managing schoolwork and maintaining honor student status
• She completed a Girl Scout Silver Star project organizing field hockey clinics for elementary students to grow the sport locally on Long Island
• The eighth-grader dreams of playing collegiate field hockey at ACC programs like Duke or Wake Forest and has created resources to help other young players find opportunities
• Her dedication includes developing a website listing Long Island clubs and college youth camps, plus donating equipment to help build the local field hockey community