Courtesy of Brian Beard

Each season, athletes set new goals for themselves and strive to perform better than last time. Only halfway through her third season, Bowdoin field hockey (9–2; 4–2 NESCAC) midfielder Hannah Balmelli ’28 has already matched and surpassed her previous year’s statistics.

During the 2025 field hockey season, after Balmelli scored nine goals over the course of 18 games, seven more than 2024, she felt she had achieved her goal. This season, her personal objective is to score more overall, and to create more shot opportunities for her teammates, a goal she is making progress on by scoring nine goals over the course of just 11 games. As she continues building off her previous season’s success, she has also begun working on contributing equally on both offense, by finishing chances, and defense, by winning the ball back. Her most prominent focus while on the field, however, is teamwork.

“I always try to play for the person next to me. This year, one of our forwards who plays next to me is a senior, so [this objective] pushes me to play for her, also specifically because I know she won’t be here [next year],” said Balmelli.

The field hockey team’s goals have also grown over the past season. This year, after their 10–8 end to the 2025 season, the players have strengthened their mental fortitude to minimize losses.

“We are staying really composed and playing with intensity for the full 60 minutes of every game, from the first whistle to the last, and our goal is to hold ourselves to [that] standard every time we step on the field,” Balmelli said. “Last season gave us a lot of confidence, especially in NESCAC games. We know we can compete with anyone, and that belief has carried into this year and taught us how to win tight games.”

As showcased by their current record, their new mindset has proven successful.

As a junior, Balmelli’s weekdays are typically very busy, packed full of classes, practice and homework. Yet, she finds it all manageable by staying organized and with the support of her team. Even as the Polar Bears dominate on the field, the supportive siblinghood they have fostered off the field is undeniably present. When competing, Balmelli and her teammates never play alone, but as a unit. Balmelli attributes her team’s success to their kinship.

“We trust each other to make the right decisions, and so I think that also really helps to keep that composure towards the end of a game,” she said.

Balmelli’s favorite—of many—goals thus far was her first score against Husson University (4–8) on October 7. Not because it was the first of her hat trick, but because it was a quintessential example of what her team had been working hard on all season.

“Our team talks a lot about getting everyone on the field involved in offensive plays, and I think this goal highlighted that. Melissa [Shunk ’27], who’s our right defender, sent a great ball into the circle, and I got to finish it,” Balmelli said.

After every goal, the Polar Bears hug and celebrate with one another. Each goal is simultaneously exciting and relieving to Balmelli, who emphasized the joy she finds in her teammate’s happy reactions as well. Last month, she was named NESCAC Field Hockey Player of the Week for her standout athletic performance. She was elated to be given the title, but stressed her dedication to consistent improvement.

“I was really excited. My teammates were also really happy for me, which meant a lot that they were celebrating this success with me … My focus is still on helping the team win and continuing to work hard and improve every day alongside my teammates,” Balmelli said.

As Balmelli reflects on her three years so far as a Polar Bear, she is incredibly grateful for all her coaches and past and present teammates.

“I would say looking back, the bonds that I’ve made with my teammates is something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. I think we have a special group of girls, and I wouldn’t change anything for the world” Balmelli said.