Leesburg, Va. — Heritage High School junior Josie Rossbach has made a commitment to continue her field hockey career at the University of Massachusetts beginning in the 2019-2020 academic year.
“I chose Massachusetts because of the feel I got when I visited there, and how much the team loved being together as well as the welcoming feeling I received from the coaching staff,” the 5-foot-5 Rossbach said. “I would constantly receive text messages and emails from them just asking how my day was and how my season was going. That specific thing made me feel extremely welcome there.”
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The Division I Minutewomen finished their 2017 campaign at 13-8, including a 6-2 mark in the Atlantic 10 conference. Head coach Barb Weinberg took the helm in December 2016 and – in her first year – led the Minutewomen to a second place finish in the A-10 and a runners-up finish in the A-10 Championship.
“What I think I will add to the Minutewomen team is my motivated, hard-working personality,” said Rossbach – who headlined as the All-LoCo Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017. “I love to work hard and see results and I can’t wait to face a new challenge in college hockey.”
Rossbach’s motivated, hard-working personality helped lead Heritage to a VHSL 4A West Region title and a VHSL 4A State semifinal appearance in 2016 — the school’s first year of competition in VHSL. In 2017, she took the Lady Pride back to the VHSL 4A Region 4C title game, this time falling short to Eastern View High School, 3-1.
“My experience with Heritage has really taught me to step up to the plate,” said Rossbach–who plays club field hockey for Metro HC. “It has also help me meet some new friends I would have never met otherwise. Being a new team has really forced everyone to work extremely hard to catch up to other teams that have been around longer. On the social aspect of it, I really enjoy being in the environment of people who work just as hard as I do and want to succeed as badly as I do. Playing in high school has allowed me to put myself around my teammates people and excel in it. Most of my best friends have resulted from a shared love of this environment and the game for high school and club hockey.”
When she started playing field hockey — Rossbach was also a full-time swimmer. As her time management was put to the test, she was faced with a decision: swimming or field hockey.
“The reason I started playing field hockey is actually a funny story,” Rossbach said. “When I was younger, I always looked up to my neighbor–Emma O’Sullivan. I thought she was the coolest person ever, so I wanted to be just like her. One day I saw her practicing field hockey outside and so I decided that I had to play. I did one season of rec and I absolutely loved it. So basically, I have an amazing role model to thank for being where I am today. What keeps me motivated is my love for the game and my extremely competitive edge. Everything I do is to see results and that always keeps me going, even when things get tough.”
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