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Mariconda Makes Her Mark with the Indians

Celia Mariconda completed her career with the Guilford field hockey team by contributing to a storybook season that saw the Indians claim conference and state titles. Along the way, Celia also established herself as one of the most prolific scorers in program history.

Celia started playing field hockey in 4th grade, after which she joined the team at Adams Middle School. This fall, the senior forward scored 20 goals and had nine assists to make the All-SCC Second Team for Head Coach Kitty Palmer’s squad.

Celia helped the Indians win their first SCC championship and was later was named Most Valuable Player of the Class M final when they claimed the state title. She finishes her career at Guilford as the No. 4 all-time leading scorer in the history of Indians’ field hockey.

“I owe it all to Coach Palmer and the team. Without my teammates, the ball doesn’t make it up the field,” says Celia, who was the second-leading scorer in the SCC this year. “Everyone works together as a team, and it really is an unbelievable feeling scoring a goal.”

Celia had to adjust to playing left wing for the Indians. Celia made a living by circling around the cage and then sending the ball home following some sound passes from her teammates.

“Moving down the field on my left side took some getting used to, but I’ve gotten used to it, and it works for me,” Celia says. “My signature way to score is pulling the ball around the goalkeeper and hitting it in the opposite corner. I also score when my teammates pass it across, and then I sweep it in.”

One of the biggest moments of Celia’s high school career came in this year’s Class M semifinals, when she netted the deciding goal in a 1-0 triumph versus Hand. In a tightly contested matchup against their rival, Celia and the Indians came away with the victory on the strength of their trademark teamwork.

“That was one of the hardest games we played. Hand is an incredible and well-developed team,” says Celia. “All of us worked together on that goal, and I swept the ball in. I was just glad we executed at the end.”

Coach Palmer says that Celia’s heart and hustle were constantly on display on the turf. Palmer appreciates that Celia always gave the Indians her very best effort.

“Celia is the type of kid you cheer for, because you see on her face and in her play how much she is trying in every situation,” says Palmer. “She gives everything she has to the team. We all love her.”

Guilford’s championship campaign featured an early setback as the Indians took a defeat in their first game of the season. Celia felt proud that Guilford learned from that loss, shook it off, and then emerged from the grind with gold in both hands.

“We lost some great players from last year, so we had to get used to playing with new people. We lost our first game of the year, but it was a learning experience, but then we went on a win streak, and felt more like a team,” Celia says. “A win against Branford was a turning point and beating Cheshire for the SCC title was one of the best days of my life. We worked so hard to accomplish all of this.”