Meet the Freshmen: 2025 Michigan Field Hockey
10/16/2025 3:23:00 PM | Field Hockey
By Nicole Kwan
The Michigan field hockey program welcomed eight freshmen this fall, and with just over a month of school and half of their first season under their belts, they are now well settled as new Wolverines. Learn more about them off the field, who inspires them, and what led them to choose Ann Arbor as their new home.
Brooke Alexander | B | Saline, Mich.
Q. What stood out about Michigan that led you to come to Ann Arbor?
A. Michigan's school spirit, great academics and athletics, and how closely the city and school were linked together are what brought me to Michigan.
Q. What are you most excited about for your first season as a Wolverine?
A. I'm most excited for all of the travel trips we have this year.
Q. What is your earliest field hockey memory?
A. My earliest field hockey memory was playing steal the bacon on the gym floor at my middle school when I was in third grade with my mom as my coach.
Q. Who has been the most influential person in your field hockey journey so far?
A. The most influential person in my field hockey career so far has been Keely Tamer, my field hockey coach.
Q. How would you describe your mentality when stepping onto the field?
A. My mentality when stepping on the field is to give 100 percent, control the controllables and remember to have fun.
Favorite song: Anything Zach Bryan
Favorite athlete of all time: Serena Williams
Go to pregame meal: Dunkin' Donuts plain bagel with cream cheese
Pregame ritual: Walking and getting a coffee at Argus
Dream job outside of sports: Regional Sales Manager
Favorite quote: Life has no remote, get up and change it yourself
A celebrity you'd love to meet: Alex Cooper
Grace Hunter | F | Mickleton, N.J.
Q. What stood out about Michigan that led you to come to Ann Arbor
A. I was immediately drawn to the unbeatable school spirit and balance between athletics and academics.
Q. What are you most excited about for your first season as a Wolverine?
A. I'm excited to represent the Maize and Blue and play with Team 53.
Q. What is your earliest field hockey memory?
A. My earliest field hockey memory is playing 7v7 in fourth grade with my mom as my coach.
Q. Who has been the most influential person in your field hockey journey so far?
A.My parents and sister
Q. How would you describe your mentality when stepping onto the field?
A. My mentality is to be grateful for any and every opportunity, so give it everything you have.
Favorite song: Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
Favorite athlete of all time: Simone Biles
Go-to pregame meal: Bagel with peanut butter and sliced banana
Pregame ritual: I put on my shoes and shin guards in the same order every time, and a nonnegotiable dance party
Dream job outside of sports: Packaging engineer
Favorite quote: Everything happens for a reason
A celebrity you'd love to meet: Zendaya
Beatrice Ottsen | B | Kenilworth, Ill.
Q. What stood out about Michigan that led you to come to Ann Arbor?
A. The combination of strong academics and athletics, as well as the team culture.
Q. What are you most excited about for your first season as a Wolverine?
A. To represent the block M and all the new experiences that come with it.
Q. What is your earliest field hockey memory?
A. My first U10 USA field hockey beach bash tournament in Rhode Island.
Q. Who has been the most influential person in your field hockey journey so far?
A. Katie Beach and Molly Sarhage
Q. How would you describe your mentality when stepping onto the field?
A. Focused and driven
Favorite song: A Life Where We Work Out by Flatland Calvary
Favorite athlete of all time: Roger Federer
Go-to pregame meal: Pasta
Pregame ritual: locker room dance party
Dream job outside of sports: sports journalism
Favorite quote: You want to become a master of overcoming hard moments - Roger Federer
A celebrity you'd love to meet: Rafa Nadal
Adair Patterson | B | Houston, Texas
Q. What stood out about Michigan that led you to come to Ann Arbor?
A. The main thing that stood out to me about Michigan was the immense love for the school that reaches far and wide. Everyone at the school, whether it is teachers, coaches, or peers, wants to see you succeed and will lift you up no matter what. "Go Blue!" is probably my most said phrase in public because there is always someone with Michigan gear on. Similarly, there is an amazing culture of working hard to be the best -- in academics and athletics.
Q. What are you most excited about for your first season as a Wolverine?
A. I'm most excited to play at a high level and grow into a better player and teammate.
Q. What is your earliest field hockey memory?
A. My earliest field hockey memory involves playing in a free clinic hosted by my club team at home, Texas Pride, when I was going into fifth grade. We all got different colored T-shirts, and I was put on a team with my best friends. While I had a very hard time understanding why I couldn't touch the ball on the rounded side of the stick, I ended up picking it up pretty quickly!
Q. Who has been the most influential person in your field hockey journey so far?
A. My parents have easily been the most influential people in my field hockey journey. Even though field hockey isn't a big sport in Texas, and they knew none of the rules for a very long time, the moment I told them this is what I wanted to do, they supported me no matter what. Since they both played sports a lot, and my mom played soccer in college, they helped me tactically understand the game when I was new to the sport.
Q. How would you describe your mentality when stepping onto the field?
A. Calm and Consistent.
Favorite song: AM Radio by The Lumineers
Favorite athlete of all time: Serena Williams
Go-to pregame meal: Pasta
Pregame ritual: Dance Party
Dream job outside of sports: Still figuring it out. Something with business, though
Favorite quote: You can never outperform your sense of self
A celebrity you'd love to meet: Taylor Swift
Lexi Patterson | M | Malvern, Pa.
Q. What stood out about Michigan that led you to come to Ann Arbor?
A. I grew up being a University of Michigan fan, as I got older, the competitive sports atmosphere and academics were something that really stood out to me. The uplifting, competitive and fun environment of the team -- and the overall team culture -- really made an impression on me.
Q. What are you most excited about for your first season as a Wolverine?
A. I'm really excited to get to play at such a competitive level, on a team that emphasizes hard work, connection, and positivity. I am grateful for the opportunity to grow every day by being pushed by the great players and people around me. I am looking forward to experiencing the incredible atmosphere of game days.
Q. What is your earliest field hockey memory?
A. My earliest field hockey memory is when I started playing in first grade. I played for a rec field hockey league in Pennsylvania, where my mom was the coach. My mom now runs the league and I get the opportunity to go back to the league that started my passion for field hockey.
Q. Who has been the most influential person in your field hockey journey so far?
A. The most influential people in my field hockey journey are my family. They have always supported me through the ups and downs and have always pushed me to be my best. I am so thankful to have such an amazing support system.
Q. How would you describe your mentality when stepping onto the field?
A. I feel a little nervous, but so grateful for the opportunity to play with such a great team.
Favorite song: Feel This Moment - Pitbull and Christina Aguilera
Favorite athlete of all time: Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson
Go-to pregame meal: Plain pasta with parmesan; pregame snack: Go-go Squeeze, Rice Crispy Treat and Gatorade Chews
Pregame ritual: Maxine and I take a second to look at the field and appreciate this opportunity. We also take a picture to capture the moment
Dream job outside of sports: Working within baseball
Favorite quote: Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard (Tim Notke), Dreams don't work unless you do (John C. Maxwell), and Pressure is a privilege (Billie Jean King)
A celebrity you'd love to meet: Bryce Harper
Maxine Rogge | B | Ghent, Belgium
Q. What stood out about Michigan that led you to come to Ann Arbor?
A. Michigan is outstanding on both the academic and athletic levels, providing unique opportunities you won't find anywhere else. I was especially inspired by the strong sense of team culture at Michigan.
Q. What are you most excited about for your first season as a Wolverine?
A. I'm most excited to play with my teammates and to explore the US.
Q. What is your earliest field hockey memory?
A. When I was around five years old, I did a field hockey camp with my brother. I didn't want to be with the girls team because I wanted to stay with my brother, so I spent the whole week playing field hockey with my brother.
Q. Who has been the most influential person in your field hockey journey so far?
A. My older brother. He plays with so much passion and he is my big example.
Q. How would you describe your mentality when stepping onto the field?
A. I'm eager to win the game. I will give everything and work hard for the team.
Favorite song: Nuit de folie From Début De Soirée (it's a French song)
Favorite athlete of all time: Rafael Nadal
Go-to pregame meal: Pasta Bolognese
Pregame ritual: I take a picture with Lexi before every home game, and we go outside, and we have a moment to be grateful for all the opportunities we get here
Dream job outside of sports: Owning my own company
Favorite quote: Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships
A celebrity you'd love to meet: Céline Dion
Manouk Saal | M | Oegstgeest, Netherlands
Q. What stood out about Michigan that led you to come to Ann Arbor?
A. The school spirit really stood out to me, and of course, the team.
Q. What are you most excited about for your first season as a Wolverine?
A. Getting to watch all different kinds of U-M sports play. Personally, I am really excited to watch a tennis game and gymnastics.
Q. What is your earliest field hockey memory?
A. My earliest field hockey memory was when I was about 10 years old. We played a game, which was still on half of a quarter of the field, and the opponent swept on my ankle and I bruised it, but it felt like the world had ended. I was playing again that Monday ;)
Q. Who has been the most influential person in your field hockey journey so far?
A. Pretty straightforward, my coaches. I have been in quite a few different teams, but always knew most of the team. The coaches have (almost) always been different every year and seeing their different perspectives and priorities made me as a player. Especially, the last three years.
Q. How would you describe your mentality when stepping onto the field?
A. I don't get nervous very easily, I am always excited to play a game or practice. For some games, if they are really important, I'll get a little bit nervous, but in a good way.
Favorite song: Silver Springs - Fleetwood Mac
Favorite athlete of all time: I don't have one
Go-to pregame meal: A good slice of bread with chocolate sprinkles
Pregame ritual: Squeezing Caylie McMahon's hand, on beat, during the national anthem
Dream job outside of sports: Therapist
Favorite quote: Don't worry, be happy
A celebrity you'd love to meet: Adele
Sofia Ghanbari | F | Novi, Mich.
Q. What stood out about Michigan that led you to come to Ann Arbor?
A. I love the competitive field hockey program, team environment and academics at U-M. From the minute I stepped on campus, I knew it was my home.
Q. What are you most excited about for your first season as a Wolverine?
A. I am so excited to travel to new places with my teammates.
Q. What is your earliest field hockey memory?
A. I signed up for a local hockey clinic near my hometown in sixth grade and fell in love with the sport. My coach during the clinic, Amy Kilgore, ended up being my high school coach and such an important mentor in my life. She truly inspired my passion for the game from the first time I met her.
Q. Who has been the most influential person in your field hockey journey so far?
A. My parents have always supported me throughout my athletic career. Whether it be driving me to long tournaments, watching all of my games, or dealing with the smell of my sweat, they have always been there for me. I am so grateful for their support and advice.
Q. How would you describe your mentality when stepping onto the field?
A. Whenever I step on the field, I think about how grateful I am for every opportunity that we have. Getting to play with amazing resources, the best staff and teammates and such a great program -- is truly a blessing to never take for granted. I also think about how much I love competing, and prepare myself to be aggressive and work as hard as I possibly can.
Favorite song: Piano Man by Billy Joel
Favorite athlete of all time: Mitchell Marner
Go-to pregame meal: Applesauce and a bagel
Pregame ritual: I always braid my teammates' hair
Dream job outside of sports: Cardiologist
Favorite quote: Believe you can and you're halfway there
A celebrity you'd love to meet: Simone Biles
