Hannah Hoar '13 begins her fourth and final season with the women's lacrosse team on Saturday, March 9, when nationally ranked No. 16 Hamilton hosts No. 14 Tufts University at noon. Hannah has posted 30 goals and nine assists in 45 career games. She has helped lead the program to 46 wins, including a 21-1 record and the Division III national championship game in her first year. In 2012, she earned a spot on the NESCAC spring all-academic team. The Continentals also take on Wesleyan University at home on Sunday, March 10.
Q: Tell us a little bit about where you grew up.
A: I grew up in Wellesley, Massachusetts. It’s a pretty quiet town but I ripped it up with my Razor scooter.
Q: How did you get involved with the sport of lacrosse?
A: A couple parents in my town had organized a youth program when I was in fourth grade. My dad said he didn’t have the patience to watch me play Tee Ball, so lacrosse was the only other option for a spring sport.
Q: Did you play any other sports before arriving on Hamilton's campus?
A: Soccer was actually my main sport for a really long time and lacrosse was always a fun outlet. I also played squash for a few years in high school.
Q: What attracted you to Hamilton College and the women’s lacrosse program?
A: When I came to Hamilton to meet with (Head Coach) Patty (Kloidt), I could tell how friendly the campus was and how outgoing members of the team were. I really liked how close-knit the group seemed to be. I also had a great experience on my overnight and felt very welcome.
Q: This weekend the team kicks off the season at home, including a contest with nationally ranked No. 14 Tufts University. What are your expectations for the season?
A: My expectations are high! We have already shared a lot of laughs together, which is great. I really believe that having fun as a group will translate into our play. We miss the girls who graduated last year, but we have done a good job taking advantage of the short amount of time we have had to prepare for this weekend. Having so many home games this year won’t hurt!
Q: The team went 18-2 your sophomore year and made it to the second round of the NCAA championships, but eight games into the season you suffered a season-ending knee injury. Talk about your road to recovery.
A: ACL recovery is 6 to 9 months, but the hardest part of my recovery was realizing that it would take longer than that to feel completely back to normal. I am so glad that I am healthy this year, and lacrosse is a lot more fun now that I no longer have a brace.
Q: Your first year, the team finished 21-1 and played in the national championship game. What was that like?
A: That was honestly one of the best moments I can remember from my time at Hamilton. The season overall had just been so positive, and I felt incredibly lucky to have the chance to compete at such a level. The support from Hamilton fans was amazing; I couldn’t believe how many family members and friends made the trip to Gettysburg. The loss was obviously devastating, but didn’t take away from how proud I was of our team and how much I had enjoyed the season.
Q: What has been your favorite memory from all of your seasons with the lacrosse team?
A: I really don’t think I could pick one! The game I just mentioned was definitely one of the best, but there are many others. There are certain team traditions I love that have carried through each season (in particular, pre-game dance parties featuring coach’s groovy moves).
Q: You were a member of the NESCAC spring all-academic team last year. Do you have any advice about how to excel both on the field and in the classroom?
A: That is definitely still a work in progress! Taking classes that I am genuinely interested in helps me feel motivated to set goals for myself and work ahead. Also, learning to read on a bus was big.
Q: What has been your favorite class at Hamilton?
A: I’m not sure if this counts but I really loved writing my thesis last semester. It was a great opportunity to dive into a specific subject and work independently. I have loved so many of my classes so it is hard to pick one, but I am currently very interested in an English class about graphic novels. So far we have read "The Dark Knight Returns" and "Watchmen", and it has been a lot of fun.
Q: What will Hannah Hoar be doing five years from now?
A: That’s the big question. I hope to be living in London, where I studied abroad. I would love to go back to school at some point for either business or history. Leaving Hamilton is bittersweet and I have no idea where the next few years will take me, but I am excited to explore new opportunities.
