Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2025 Revere High Patriots field hockey captains reflect on championship season By Dom Nicastro R evere High School Patriots field hockey capped one of its best seasons in years this fall, finishing 10-71, clinching the Greater Boston League title and reaching the Division 2 state tournament for the first time since 2018. First-year Head Coach and Revere alumna Victoria Correia credited her senior leadership group for the turnaround, calling them “go-getters” who “kept pushing and believed in what we were building.” That leadership came from three senior captains — forward Isabella Mendieta, midfielder Gemma Stamatopoulos, and center defender Ava Morris — who each helped guide the Patriots through a milestone season. Mendieta, who set a program record with 22 goals this year and 56 over her four-year career, said teamwork was the foundation of Revere’s success. The Advocate caught up with the players for a Q&A: Advocate: What were the keys for such a turnaround this season? Mendieta: The biggest key this season was our teamwork and determination. Everyone really bought into playing for each other and not just for ourselves. We focused on communication, trust and staying positive through every game, which made all the difference. Stamatopoulos: We were all very determined to finish our RHS Field Hockey careers strong. We knew we were capable and that it would come down to the work we put in. Morris: What helped us have such a great season this year was having lots of team bonding and all the help we got from our coaches. Advocate: What did you feel your personal role on the team was this year? Mendieta: As a captain and one of the older players, my role was to lead by example, whether that meant pushing hard in practice, keeping everyone motivated or helping the younger players build confidence. I wanted to make sure the team felt like a family and that everyone knew they belonged. Stamatopoulos: I felt that my personal role on the team was to build camaraderie. At the start of the season, the team agreed that being GBL champs and making the tournament would be our goals. From there, I helped my team stay confident in ourselves and maintain positive energy. Morris: I felt like my personal role was keeping defense together. When you’re on defense, it’s hard to not get frustrated when a goal is scored. And as a captain, I felt like I had to lead by example and not get upset or give up. Advocate: If you had to pick a win this year that was the best, what would it be and why? Mendieta: My favorite win was against Everett because it really showed how far we’ve come. Everyone played their hearts out, and we proved to ourselves that when we work together, we can compete with anyone. It was one of those games where everything clicked. Stamatopoulos: Our win against Everett was the best win. We worked as a team and cheered each other on. It was a close game, and we fought for the win until the very last second. Morris: The best win we had this year was when we won 1-0 against Everett. That was such a great game because we all came together and worked so well as a team. Advocate: What is your message to returning and upcoming players about keeping this program’s momentum going? Mendieta: Keep believing in each other and never take a single game or practice for granted. The effort you put in The Lady Patriots fi eld hockey captains and coach, pictured from left to right: Ava Morris, Isabella Mendieta, Gemma Stamatopoulos and coach Victoria Correia. together is what builds success. Stay hungry, stay positive and remember why you started playing; you’re part of something special. Stamatopoulos: My message is to help each other grow and have fun together. Good chemistry is half the battle to a successful season. Morris: My message is to keep pushing and to be open to learning new roles on the field. We had eight seniors this year, which will be a lot of gaps to fill, so I encourage the players to try new positions. Advocate: What is next for you at Revere for sports, and what’s next after Revere? Mendieta: I’m finishing up my senior year strong and enjoying every moment with my teammates. After Revere, I plan to study dental hygiene in college and, hopefully, play field hockey as well. Stamatopoulos: I will be going into my indoor and outdoor track seasons next. After that, I plan to attend a four-year college. Morris: Next for me in Revere is lacrosse. I’ve only been playing for a year, but it’s so much fun. In college, I hope to play field hockey for fun and to make new friends.
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