Colleges: Kott's switch turns on a career

by Jennifer Toland
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Stephanie Kott didn't make the eighth-grade soccer team, and athletically speaking, it may have been the best thing that ever happened to her.

She decided to go out for the middle school field hockey squad instead, made that team, and went on to hone her skills at Notre Dame Academy, where she was part of a state championship in 2005.

Kott now anchors the defense for nationally-ranked Stonehill, which has won 14 of its last 15 games.

"We have a lot of returning players and we got in the flow right away," Kott said.

Kott, who grew up in Rutland, is one of four seniors on the Skyhawks roster and has started every game the last three years. In addition to her defensive prowess, she has registered six assists this season.

Stonehill (14-3) is ranked No. 4 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll and, at 7-1 in conference play, is closing in on hosting the Northeast-10 tournament. Wins over rivals UMass-Lowell and Bentley, both nationally ranked as well, have highlighted the season.

"Those wins were huge for us," Kott said. "We came to play, we passed and dribbled and played solid defense. It all came together."

Kott was a T&G Super Team choice her senior year at NDA, where she experienced "a tradition of excellence," she said, "with phenomenal players and a phenomenal coach (Patty Provost)."

Team spirit definitely hasn't been lacking at Stonehill, either. The Skyhawks have some of the most dedicated parents around - Carl and Deb Kott included - and the group's themed postgame tailgates (Italian food, Mexican food, etc.) are said to be delectable.

"We sometimes joke that at away games, our parents outnumber the other team's supporters," Kott said.

Kott's mom played field hockey at Holy Cross.

Kott also has excelled academically, earning NFHCA Division 2 National Academic Squad honors twice. She is majoring in biology/health science with a minor in Spanish - she spent spring semester studying in southern Spain - and plans to become a nurse practitioner. She will attend nursing school next year.

Kott is a huge New England Patriots fan, quarterback Tom Brady in particular, but she was working in the school library Sunday and missed most of the crazy win over the Titans. She caught up with all the highlights, though.

"The snow, the score - Oh, my gosh!" she said.

Stonehill finishes the regular season this week with games against Merrimack and Southern Connecticut. The NE-10 playoffs begin Wednesday.