Athlete of the Week: Allyson Collette

Senior Allyson Collette scored the game-winning goal as GHS field hockey beat Guilford for the first time. 

Glastonbury High School senior Allyson Collette has become a force offensively for a Guardians field hockey team that is making history. 

On Sept. 30, Collette scored the game-winning goal as the Guardians defeated powerhouse Guilford (1-0) at GHS. 
It marked the program's first ever victory over Guilford. 

Collette broke a scoreless tie in the fourth quarter after Addison Infante sent the ball into the circle before Deirdre McKiernan fed Collette for the decisive goal. 

“I told myself I wasn’t going to let it leave the circle at that point without crossing the goal line,” recalled Collette. 
 
Head coach Maureen Perkins said that Collette has become both a productive player and vocal leader, taking her game to another level this fall.

“She always embraces her role and has always done what we needed her to do,” added Perkins 

The game-winner against Guilford capped a great week for Collette, who tallied a hat trick, scoring three goals as the team hammered Newington 7-0 at NHS on Sept. 27. 

Collette credited increased confidence and the team’s chemistry on the field for her success this fall. 

“The team has done such a good job at getting the ball to me,” she added. “I couldn’t have gotten those goals if they weren’t constantly feeding it to me.”

Collette added that she felt she felt she has “grown into the position” and has embraced her senior status.

“I’ve found my voice on the team,” she added. “I’ve gotten a lot better at communicating that has helped me become a leader in that sense.”

This past week, Collette continued to light up the scoreboard with seven more goals in three games, including a four-goal performance in a win over Enfield last Thursday.  

Perkins added that Collette has thrived playing on the right wing, a notoriously difficult position to master.  

“She’s got really good footwork and a really good stick,” added Perkins. “She’s worked hard at it.”

After graduating three seniors, including a pair of all-conference players, Perkins said the returning group banded together to fill those voids and are using the experience they gain from last season to drive forward. 

Entering the week, the team stands at 9-2 and Collette said the wins are a product of a strong connection on the field.  

“We’ve had so much fun together and really enjoy spending time with each other as a group. That makes it so much easier when we’re on the field,” added Collette. “We really do care about each other as a team.”

The Guardians are scheduled to play consecutive home games next week, starting with a conference test against Northwest Catholic on Tuesday, Oct 17 at 3:45. They welcome Massachusetts-based Longmeadow High School to GHS for their annual out-of-state game on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.
 
​“This is a particularly close group,” Perkins said of her squad, which features six seniors. “They played varsity for a number of years together, so we’ve seen how they’ve developed and I think it’s finally coming together.”



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