The Aegis 2023 field hockey All-Area team: Visualization works for C. Milton Wright’s Winslow DiPeso, named Player of the Year

Before taking the field or meeting up with her teammates pregame, Winslow DiPeso prefers to take a few minutes for herself.

“Usually just five minutes,” she said.

The C. Milton Wright senior and Aegis 2023 field hockey Player of the Year uses the time, most often spent in her car parked away from the crowd with a pregame playlist humming in the background, to practice visualization. She envisions how the upcoming game might unfold. She can see, eyes closed in that moment of solitude in her car, what she might want to accomplish, “making it that much more possible.”

It’s a practice any sports psychologist will recommend. Creating those mental scenes can help calm an athlete’s nerves, thus letting their imagination manifest what success looks like.

That’s a mature psychological practice for a high schooler. But DiPeso has always been ahead of the curve in that respect, unafraid to meet hard questions like which sport she’d ultimately dedicate herself to and later eager to meet the moment of this year’s regional final.

“Everybody has always leaned toward her to be one of the strongest players on the field,” said Mustangs coach Kelsey Lovelace, “no matter how young or old she was.”

Lovelace first saw Winslow play as a freshman during what they called the “COVID League,” a truncated field hockey league operated through parks and rec to allow girls to play despite the high school season being canceled. Lovelace admits she probably wasn’t supposed to be in attendance but snuck into one game and was astounded by “that No. 4 girl who’s really fast and really good.”

So she sought out the identity of the freshman. Steve Cushman gave her the lowdown. He’s a board member of the Harford County year-round field hockey program, H2O, where Lovelace now coaches on the side.

DiPeso had been playing the sport for a few years before that point but hadn’t fully dedicated herself. That would come later.

She found field hockey at 10 years old having no prior knowledge, prompted by her sister to give it a shot.

“I always played soccer. I was good at soccer [and lacrosse],” she said. “My sister was a freshman in high school and she decided to try out. I was like, ‘Oh, I want to do field hockey.”

The younger sibling got her start in Fallston’s rec program, graduated to Bel Air’s, then as a fifth grader moved to H2O, which branched out of the Bel Air constituent. That’s where she really honed her skills.

During DiPeso’s sophomore season, she faced the decision of whether to fully pursue lacrosse or field hockey. She’s not the kind of person to give a half-go at both. It was a lengthy conversation. Her parents pushed no more than for her to do what makes her happiest.

“I kind of sat on it for a little then decided that I just love field hockey so much and it was something I wanted to pursue,” DiPeso said. “I connected with it so much better. … Sophomore year I started seriously considering going to a DI college and starting the whole recruitment process.”

Field hockey, DiPeso realized, set her soul on fire. And from that point on, it took up most of her time.

DiPeso finished her senior season with 17 goals, 14 assists, while leading C. Milton Wright to the Class 2A state quarterfinals. Along the way came a commitment to Temple University.

The regional final game against Chesapeake best helps paint DiPeso’s standing on her team. The Mustangs trailed 2-1 during a timeout heading into the fourth quarter. Lovelace pulled DiPeso, along with senior All-Aegis first teamer Shelby Sullivan aside and told them, “If we want to win this game, it has to come from you. You guys have to figure it out. You have to finish. You have to put the game on your shoulders.”

That moment might make for a decent movie script. DiPeso responded valiantly with two assists to a pair of Sullivan goals that won C. Milton Wright the game, 3-2.

“I knew at that point, I really needed to step it up and lead my team like I know I can,” DiPeso said. “The way that it happened, me getting the ball to Shelby within the last five seconds of the game, it was the most encouraging thing to feel that we can do that and make stuff like that happen working together as a team.”

DiPeso must have seen herself executing such a crucial play hours prior alone in her car from the parking lot.

All-Aegis First team

(stats updated through regular season)

Annie Bennett, John Carroll, senior, attack

The senior totaled 15 points for a strong Patriots team, as well as receiving IAAM All-Conference honors.

Peyton Givens, Perryville, senior, attack

Ten goals and 11 assists were enough to lead a Panthers team that averaged over three goals per game. Perryville coach Janet Candy described her as a quick, aggressive attacker who can dominate the scoring column with a dynamic shot.

Margo Smith, John Carroll, senior, attack

Smith, a senior, finished with 11 points as a pivotal piece in the Patriots’ run to the conference semifinal.

Shelby Sullivan, C. Milton Wright, senior, attack

Sullivan’s 16 goals and six assists made her a key cog for the Mustangs’ playoff run and offensive attack. She is committed to play Division I lacrosse at University of Maryland.

Claire Burrows, C. Milton Wright, senior, midfielder

The senior notched her third-straight All-Aegis first team appearance behind seven goals and nine assists. Burrows is a team captain committed to York College.

Riley Cloude, Fallston, senior, midfielder

The Fallston senior totaled nine goals with five assists and 13 goal line saves for the Cougars.

Paige Feick, Bel Air, junior, midfielder

Feick controls the ball for the Bobcats as one of the county’s top midfielders. She finished this fall tallying 16 goals and 15 more assists, evidence to her ability both as a scorer and facilitator.

Korynn Sims, North Harford, senior, midfielder

Sims, a three-year starter and team captain, buried six goals with three assists, including an overtime game winner against Mercy. Her coach noted she has the “ability to beat defenders one on one, control the midfield and to defender on corner plays.”

Sara Durborow, C. Milton Wright, senior, defender

The defender team captain spent the last two seasons on second team before jumping up to first team as a senior. Durborow assisted on four goals and made three defensive saves for a strong Mustangs team.

Faith Kregel, Bel Air, senior, defender

Bobcats coach Megan Lukasavage noted Kregel’s output from the offensive corner team but that her true expertise is on the back line. Her hard drives help dissuade tough offensive attacks. Kregel had four goals, four assists and four defensive saves.

Hailey Meyer, Fallston, senior, defender

Meyer finished with two goals, six assists and five goal line saves as a formative piece of Fallston’s back line.

Kiley Wilhelm, Patterson Mill, senior, defender

Wilhelm walled off constant offensive attacks which drew the admiration from opposing coaches around the county.

Sarah Reifsnyder, North Harford, senior, goalkeeper

Reifsnyder has been a three-year varsity starter for the Hawks, now committed to play field hockey at D’Youville University in Buffalo come next fall. North Harford coach Carla Harward commended her ability to stop shots one on one or from disadvantageous positions.

All-Aegis second team

Gabby Curriden, Fallston, attack

Paityn Gossman, C. Milton Wright, sophomore, attack

Imala Grant, Aberdeen, junior, attack

Lizzie Hunter, Harford Tech, senior, attack

Grace Conklin, North Harford, senior, midfielder

Layla King, Fallston, freshman, midfielder

Ava Lopano, Patterson Mill, senior, midfielder

Jordan Strang, Harford Tech, senior, midfielder

Ava Beaty, Harford Tech, senior, defender

Grace Clark, Fallston, senior, defender

Laurel Haun, Fallston, senior, defender

Mekenzie McCann, North Harford, senior, defender

Phoebe Hennessy, C. Milton Wright, junior, goalkeeper