BANGOR — After having a successful high school field hockey career for Oceanside High School in Rockland, Shannon Ripley is continuing her field hockey career at Husson University, a NCAA Division III program. 

Ripley, who graduated from Oceanside in 2016, opted to continue her field hockey career at the Bangor-based university since she loved the competitive nature of sports and how sports helps her form a routine. 

In fact, the Owls Head native was drawn to collegiate field hockey due to the team aspect sports provides. 

“It always feels great to win something together and working with other people who care so much about a sport inspires me to continue to work hard for the benefit of everyone,” she said. 

In the classroom, Ripley, like many athletes, strives for all As. 

“I came to college to get the best education possible and I plan to do just that,” she said. 

On the field, she is dedicated to being a better athlete and a leader. 

“I really want to become an overall stronger athlete, and also to grow as a leader and team-player through the bonds I form while playing field hockey,” she said. 

Once she graduates from Husson, the health sciences major plans to enroll in medical school to receive her doctor of medicine degree. 

The five-foot-six defender derives her motivation from those who surround her. 

“My family is extremely supportive and knowing that they want to see me do great things, pushes me to want them even more,” she said. 

In her first collegiate season, in 2017, she appeared in nine games for the Eagles and had one shot on goal. She later appeared in a dozen contests in 2018, starting in seven. 

Through the team’s first four games this season, she has appeared in each. 

For area high school students hoping to play collegiate athletics, Ripley says to remember you will be starting over again as a freshman and will need to showcase 100 percent effort and showcase your worth since you will not be guaranteed playing time. 

“Prove to your team and coaches you deserve to and don’t stop working for it,” she said. 

Speaking of high school, the former Mariner said her favorite sports memory from her Rockland days was Oceanside’s team bonding experience. 

That was when the entire field hockey team members pitched tents on the field and spent the night playing games and getting to better know each other. 

When back in the Midcoast, her favorite activity is visiting Crockett’s Beach in Owls Head, thus making it somewhat off-the-grid, she said, for most seeking beaches to visit. 

“It’s really calm and always gorgeous,” she said. 

In her downtime, she enjoys working out or seeking out adventures. 

“I like to go to new places and see things I’ve never seen before,” Ripley stated. 

A passion of hers is traveling and she seizes the opportunity to go somewhere new. One place she wants to check off her list of yet-to-see places is Switzerland, a place she hopes to adventure to soon. 

Thus far, Ripley says her greatest life accomplishment was overcoming her fears of being alone in unfamiliar territory by studying abroad for a semester. 

“I learned so much about myself and a new culture and appreciated every moment of it,” she noted. 

Reach George Harvey and the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.