Former Pupil, Imogen Davies, Helps Scottish U21 Team Win  EuroHockey Junior Championship II
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Former Pupil, Imogen Davies, Helps Scottish U21 Team Win EuroHockey Junior Championship II

Heading into her junior season for the Yale field hockey team, midfielder Imogen Davies (Kilmacolm, Scotland) will have a unique experience to build on from this past summer. Davies helped Scotland’s U21 National Team win the EuroHockey Junior Championship II in Alanya, Turkey, last month.

The EuroHockey Junior Championship II is an international field hockey competition organized by the European Hockey Federation (EHF). Scotland was one of eight teams at the tournament, going 2-0-1 in Pool B to advance to the semifinals. After a 4-1 win over The Ukraine to advance to the championship, Scotland beat Italy 4-1 for the title on July 20. Davies played in all five games.

As significant as winning the championship was, Davies noted that the win in the semifinals was also a big step forward for the program. That win earned the team a promotion to the top division in Europe.

“The most memorable part of the tournament for me had to be when the final whistle blew against The Ukraine in the semifinal,” said Davies. “This confirmed our promotion to the top division in Europe, and that had been the sole focus of all of our training, preparation and commitment in the prior months. It was such an incredible feeling to know that we had done enough to secure that promotion and it was amazing to be able to experience that moment with such a great team!”

Davies was named honorable mention All-Ivy League last season for Yale, earning a spot on the NFHCA National Academic Squad for the second straight season. She tied for first on the team in goals (six), finished second on the team in points (15) and tied for second in assists (three). The primary inserter on penalty corners, she started all 17 games.

For Davies, her time training with the Bulldogs was instrumental in helping her make the U21 National Team.

“I think I felt prepared by Yale field hockey because our spring training program had been extremely intense and I felt in very good shape coming back to trial in June,” said Davies. “I needed to prove myself for selection quite quickly and I think the athleticism that I have gained whilst at Yale really helped me to hold my ground at those national training sessions. The Yale coaching staff were very encouraging of my hopes to play for the U21 side and did everything they could to support me and prepare me for that summer ahead.” 

A graduate of St. Columba’s School, Davies is in Grace Hopper College at Yale. She and her Yale teammates return to the campus this week to begin preseason training.

“I feel very lucky to have been able to experience something like a European Championships and I am looking forward to hopefully competing against some of the top teams in the world in the A Division,” said Davies. “Playing on the U21 squad has meant I feel really ready for this 2019 season with the Yale team and I am so excited to take on this year’s schedule with a great group of girls.”

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