From her first collegiate start to her return to the sidelines at Holderness, Maddy Monahan ’23 has built her field hockey career on confidence, connection, and a deep belief in the power of team.

Now a standout at Roger Williams University and a mentor to those following in her footsteps, Maddy’s journey reflects the lasting impact of a Holderness education—one that continues to shape how she leads, competes, and supports others, both on and off the field.

A Fast Start at Roger Williams University

After cementing her place in the starting lineup just 5 games into her collegiate career, Maddy ’23 has become a key piece of the Roger Williams University Field Hockey team.

Winning the Commonwealth Coast Conference Rookie of the Year award as a freshman, Maddy has continued to earn recognition for her play, being named to the All-Conference First Team in both her sophomore and junior years, the All-Region Second Team her sophomore year, and the All-Region First Team her junior year. Amassing 23 goals and 22 assists in 58 games over her three years as a Hawk, including a team-high 11 assists this past season, Maddy has helped Roger Williams to 3 conference championship appearances, 1 conference title, and 1 NCAA Tournament appearance. 

Confidence Built Through Team and Trust

Finding and maintaining both individual and team success throughout her career as a Hawk, Maddy highlights the importance of establishing comfort and confidence within the team:

“My confidence on the field comes from playing for a team that is constantly supporting me. We all love and uplift each other. It allows you to have confidence not only in yourself, but in the people around you.”

She attributes the foundation of the team's success to her coaches: “Our coaches push us to work together to succeed. They also make sure we have fun every day. Every practice, we’re having a good time. They get along so well with each other and with the team. They have really found that balance between work and play.” 

Returning to Holderness Field Hockey

When the Holderness Varsity Field Hockey team found themselves in need of an assistant coach for a game this fall, Maddy eagerly stepped in: “I was so happy to be asked to coach and to be part of the Holderness culture again.”

Maddy '23 (right) stands with Field Hockey Captain Claire '26 (left)
before a game this past fall.

Coaching alongside her former coach, Elizabeth McClellan, Maddy was glad to see that the core of the team’s identity hadn’t changed: “It was the same as when I left, all the girls working hard for each other. It was just so great to see that she's carried on these traditions and that culture for the team.”

When Maddy arrived at Holderness as a junior, Ms. McClellan welcomed her into her new school: “She was the best coach I had in high school, and I loved her so much. She was our hype woman out there, always. She continues to be that. She's so warm and welcoming. She makes anyone comfortable.” 

Her two years at Holderness allowed Maddy to grow the confidence that would help her succeed in college:

“Going into Holderness, I wasn't always a super involved student, but I really think that Holderness helped me develop those skills to socialize more, get out of my shell, and be a part of the community. I really took that moving forward, to put myself out there and do hard things. I mean, we go on Out Back. We go out in the woods for 11 days. There are so many experiences that Holderness offered that I would not have had anywhere else. It's helped me so much in college, putting myself out there, and doing the uncomfortable things because that's what Holderness is about.”

Paying it Forward

Looking ahead to her senior year at Roger Williams, Maddy wants to help her incoming teammates find the same comfort and confidence that she did: “I think it's just really important to immerse these girls into the team and support them because it is scary. We need to be inviting these underclassmen to join us because it's often their first time away from home.”

Reflecting on her transition to college, Maddy urges them to take advantage of these opportunities: “Going back to that time, I think it’s important to really include yourself in everything that comes your way. Anytime someone's asking you to hang out, or do something, or go to the gym, take all those offers. Constantly put yourself out there. It can be terrifying, and it can be really hard, but I think it's scarier to not do that.”