GHS Goalie Commits to Southern

Kaitlyn Parent, a senior at Glastonbury High School, has committed to play field hockey and continue her education at Southern Connecticut State University next fall. 
           
“Super excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career playing D2 field hockey as SCSU,” Parent stated upon making her decision on Nov. 5. “Thank you to all my family, friends and coaches who helped me get to where I am today.”
           
Parent made her commitment official at the GHS National Letter of Intent ceremony on Nov. 10. 
           
She recently wrapped up her final field hockey season at GHS, starting in goal for the Guardians who won a dozen regular season games and advanced to the Class L semifinals. 
           
It was her first season starting in goal for Parent, who developed into an extremely reliable keeper. She combined with a strong defensive front to shutout 13 teams, including two in the tournament this fall. 
           
“It was our first time all playing together and as we started winning, we started getting more comfortable on the field,” Parent said of the defensive chemistry. 
           
Over the last two years, GHS field hockey head coach Maureen Perkins has seen Parent grow into the position, “Kaitlyn has become a much more vocal goalkeeper. As the last line of defense she has a unique perspective on the game as the play is moving down the field and Kaitlyn has really embraced this aspect of her game which will be really important at the next level where the speed of the game is so much faster.”
           
Back-to-back (10-0) wins over Hall and Hamden early in the season provided the first-year goalie confidence and a tie against powerhouse Wilton in mid-October was the point that Parent said the team believed they could make a deep tournament run.
           
Her best performance may have been her last in a GHS uniform. Parent was phenomenal against a relentless New Canaan attack, stopping 10 shots, as the Guardians nearly upset the state’s #1 Rams in the Class L semifinals.   
           
Beyond the games, leaving the program in good hands was a priority for Parent, who said, “We have eight seniors this year and it was important for us to be connected to the underclassmen especially but they were all connected because when we leave it will be on them. We tried to get everyone to bond.”
           
Coach Perkins added that Parent’s selfishness was one of her best attributes, “Kaitlyn has been an excellent big sister to our younger varsity goalie Alex [Edwards].  Kaitlyn has been a great support and role model for Alex, showing her the ropes and being that constant support.  Kaitlyn took this responsibility very seriously and it was so great to see the bond that developed between Kaitlyn and Alex this fall.”
           
It’s been a rapid accent for Parent, who played soccer her entire life and didn’t start playing competitive field hockey until she was a freshman. She went to a field hockey clinic in the sixth grade but admitted that she hated playing in the field and moved to goalie once she was in high school. 
           
The move turned out to be a wise choice for Parent, who began playing club field hockey to sharpen her skills over the last four years.  
           
“My confidence has really grown as a goalie,” said Parent, who began receiving college offers this year. “I never really imagined playing Divisions II. I had couple of DIII schools reach out, but once I got the offer from SCSU It boosted my confidence that much more.”
           
Prior to the interest from Southern, Parent considered all her collegiate options but is glad to be staying in the Nutmeg State. 
           
“In the beginning I was looking more out of state but then over the summer I was on vacation I realized that I wanted to be closer to home,” recalled Parent. “The more time I spent away, the more I realized I’m a homebody. It’s perfect because it’s only 45 minutes away so I can have a life outside of Glastonbury but I can still come home when I want.” 
           
When she’s not honing her goalie skills, Parent is part of Interact, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and most recently a new program called Letters to our Elder, where students become pen pals with residents of nursing homes. 
           
At SCSU, she is leaning towards majoring in elementary education as she joins and Owls team that is led by longtime head coach Kelley Frassinelli, who will be entering her 27th season at Southern.  
           
Perkins added that her now former goalie is an incredibly hard worker and is self-motivated, which are traits that should allow her to excel at the next level. 
           
​“I’m excited that I get the opportunity to play four more years. I started as a freshman and people that I know have been playing since the third grade, so I feel like I missed out a little,” stated Parent. “I’ve met so many people through field hockey. Some of my best friends I met through field hockey and now I’ll get the opportunity to meet so many people and play the sport that I love.”