Successful BRHS field hockey team holds awards night
The 2025 Boothbay Region High School field hockey team. Pictured from left, front row: Allie Smart, Lilly Ann Cowing, Moriah Smith, Olivia Hardwick, Sophia Gatnar, Arabella Hodgdon; middle row: Lilly Brown, captain Ella Watts, Beatrice Wormwood, Izzy Andreasen, Gabriella Main, Olivia Carlson, head coach Jax Hepburn; back row: volunteer coach Emma van der Veen, Sophie White, Natalie Flagg, captain Tatum French, Frida Kirchhauser, Zuri Smith, Jessica Rayburn, assistant coach Taylor Walby. Courtesy of BRHS 
2025 BRHS field hockey award winners were, from left, Sophia Gatnar, most improved player; Moriah Smith, most valuable player; Tatum French, most valuable defensive player; and Ella Watts, coaches award. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register
The 2025 Boothbay Region High School field hockey team. Pictured from left, front row: Allie Smart, Lilly Ann Cowing, Moriah Smith, Olivia Hardwick, Sophia Gatnar, Arabella Hodgdon; middle row: Lilly Brown, captain Ella Watts, Beatrice Wormwood, Izzy Andreasen, Gabriella Main, Olivia Carlson, head coach Jax Hepburn; back row: volunteer coach Emma van der Veen, Sophie White, Natalie Flagg, captain Tatum French, Frida Kirchhauser, Zuri Smith, Jessica Rayburn, assistant coach Taylor Walby. Courtesy of BRHS
2025 BRHS field hockey award winners were, from left, Sophia Gatnar, most improved player; Moriah Smith, most valuable player; Tatum French, most valuable defensive player; and Ella Watts, coaches award. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register A celebration of one of the best seasons a Boothbay Region High School field hockey team has ever had – the second best in 50 years, according to BRHS records – was held during the 2025 awards night Thursday, Nov. 20 in the BRHS auditorium.
Coach Jax Hepburn and assistant coach Taylor Walby stood on the stage while the 19 players, their family members and fans sat and cheered from the seats as Hepburn talked about the successes of the 12-3-2 Seahawks.
This year’s team had the best record in the Mountain Valley Conference, finished first in the Class C South final regular season standings, and won a quarterfinal game at home against Traip Academy. Though the team lost to Winthrop at home, 1-0, in the semifinal, Hepburn said she was very proud of her players.
“This team showed resilence and strength throughout the season,” said Hepburn. “Everyone bnought something to the team and you are all MVPs in some way.”
Team MVP Moriah Smith was honored by being named to the MVC first team all-star team, as was her sister, Zuri. Both were also named to Maine Field Hockey Association’s All-State team as sophomores.
Senior co-captains Tatum French and Ella Watts received honorable mention as all stars in the MVC and the team’s third senior, Sophie White, was named to the MVC all-academic team.
Hepburn praised her co-captains for their leadership on a team chiefly made up of freshmen and sophomores (there were no juniors on the team). She also thanked the parents for their support during the season.
As Hepburn and Walby handed out certificates, letters and bars, stars and other metal emblems, Hepburn read her thoughts about each player.
Individual plaques were presented to Sophia Gatnar, most improved player; Ella Watts, coaches award; and Moriah Smith, most valuable player. Special recognition as defensive most valuable player went to Tatum French and Olivia Carlson was honored for her dedication and support of the team as she was unable to play in the games due to a season-ending injury but showed up religiously to the practices and games.
French and Watts presented gifts to Hepburn – a Seahawk pot buoy and a photograph – to conclude the evening.
