By Brian ReganThe Daily Northwestern

When Christina Foley was looking for colleges, her first priority was a change in scenery.

After attending clinics held by the Northwestern coaching staff in her home state of Maine and nearby New Hampshire, her desire to get away from the Pine Tree State only grew.

“I wanted to go far away. Maine is pretty much … Maine,” Foley said. “I wanted to try something different and be able to pick up all my stuff and leave without having to think about anything else.”

Once she arrived in Evanston, it wasn’t smooth sailing for Foley. Not only did she redshirt her freshman year, but she wondered if being 1100 miles from home was really what she wanted.

“I was a little intimidated,” Foley said. “But playing and being with the team has really helped me getting over the insecurity I had. I love it here now.”

Getting to know the team helped her through a rough first year, followed by a coaching change and a season lost to an injury.

In the interim, Foley began to rehab and better her skills, while getting to know her teammates.

Since then, she has become a force to be reckoned with at both ends of the field, escalating her performances each year since.

“At practice we’ve seen her improvement,” senior forward Megan Sieberg said. “You can tell she takes everything personally and has committed herself to getting better.”

Sieberg and Foley are roommates and best friends, while both providing leadership to the younger players on the team.

Foley has been able to help the incoming players from the last two years deal with being far from home and adjusting to collegiate life, both as an athlete and student.

“I’ve always looked up to her to begin with,” junior Cassie Miller said. “She is a role model and inspirational, a person you can go to about any issue.”

But on the field, her persona changes from ‘chill’ to a field marshal.

“She is a strong presence and a commanding voice back (in the defense),” coach Kelly McCollum said. “She is something that opponents need to worry about, both on defense, but especially on attack corners.”

She’s tied for the team lead in points and goals, mostly from corners where she is the team’s top straight-shot hitter.

While her recent surge in offensive production and clutch goals is worth note, she is more excited about other things.

“After missing a season, I’m just glad I can come out here and do what I love everyday, ” Foley said. “The fact that I am with such a great group of girls makes it that much better.”

Unlike most college seniors, she most likely won’t be done after this season.

Because Foley redshirted her first year, she still has a year of eligibility left, and would like to postpone getting a job for another year.

“I can’t picture myself putting on a suit and totally stepping away from field hockey,” Foley said. “It’s been such a huge part of my life so far that I want to continue along that route for now.

“Plus, sweats are my favorite, I’d like to keep wearing those for as long as I can.”

Reach Brian Regan at [email protected].