There weren’t many moments in her career at Lincoln-Sudbury that former star Izzy Acquaviva didn’t impress longtime field hockey head coach Vicky Caburian.
She served as a primary leader. She excelled in the classroom. And as a two-time Dual County League All-Star, she showed the athleticism and skills to play Div. I field hockey at UMass – where she’s earned four straight NFHCA National Academic Squad selections and receives quality minutes in the midfield.
It was eye-opening, then, when Caburian saw Izzy’s younger twin sisters – Emerson and Avery Acquaviva – participate in the R.E.A.L. Field Hockey youth camps at L-S the summers Izzy worked in them. And when the longtime coach found out both were going to try out for field hockey last year as freshmen, she couldn’t help but feel excited.
Little did she know just how impressed she’d be.
“Having them come to R.E.A.L. Field Hockey as little kids – their (athleticism), their attitude, their effort – just from there I knew they would be incredible kids,” Caburian said. “Watching them play, I did not find out until later on that this was their first field hockey team that they were (ever) on. And they made varsity as ninth-graders. That blew me away.”
Emerson and Avery never really prioritized field hockey until Izzy went to UMass and encouraged them in the summer of 2023 to try it out. Their main loves have been lacrosse (which they both hope to play in college) and ice hockey as multi-sport standouts, but Izzy’s influence gave a final nudge – and they trained hard together to prepare.
“Izzy really motivated me to try harder,” Avery said. “Going into summer, I was not really set (on playing). … I was like, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to make varsity, but I know I have to try.’”
Emerson, a sophomore forward, has just three goals in eight games, but they’ve come in signature wins over longtime thorn Acton-Boxboro, Concord-Carlisle and Nashoba. Avery, a sophomore midfielder, also has a pair of clutch goals in notable matchups.
They’re not the only leading characters on a well-rounded team, but Caburian can’t say enough about the two as the Warriors (6-0-2) rank No. 1 in the first set of MIAA power rankings.
“Just having them on the team – the hustle, the intensity – they bring it every day,” Caburian said. “There’s not one day that I look and they’re not hustling. And that’s what has brought the level of this team up. … They’re an easy sell to any coach that they’re the whole package.”
Both Emerson and Avery are really happy they decided to play, and both admit they can’t imagine life without field hockey now – partly for the sport, partly for the team.
On all corners of the field, L-S has high-impact players. Union-bound Ellie Innes is a potent scorer, as is junior Blaire Brennan. Avery Cohen, Anna Leverone and Annie Chwalek are excellent leaders, which is key for a group with fellow standout sophomores Elise Cecere and Sabrina Tibbert.
Emerson and Avery, ironically, gave each other the same funny look when asked if they have a special twin connection. This team doesn’t need them to.
“I think the chemistry we have is unmatched,” Emerson said. “We do really well on the field, but that’s because outside of field hockey we’re able to connect. I’m best friends with every single one on the team.”
“I don’t think we would be this good if we weren’t so connected off the field,” Avery added.
Of course, Emerson and Avery motivate each other to succeed as well – often compared to one another. As far as their older sister goes, though, there’s a lot of inspiration.
“I think we’re on the path (of filling her shoes),” Avery said. “Haven’t really gotten there yet, but she definitely motivates me to get to her level.
“I definitely look up to her a lot,” Emerson added. “I feel like she’s always pushing us to just do our best, no matter what we’re doing.”
Power Rankings
The first set of MIAA field hockey power rankings were released on Friday. It’s important to remember the sample size is small and there will be a lot of changes.
Lower rankings for state powers like Watertown (No. 9 in Div. 3), Sandwich (No. 10 in Div. 3), Reading (No. 11 in Div. 2), Andover (No. 10 in Div. 1) probably won’t stick. Neither should Belmont’s (No. 14 in Div. 1) or Winchester’s (No. 15 in Div. 1) as the Middlesex League ranked surprisingly low.
On the other end, there are fast starts to celebrate. The Tri-Valley League soared, as Norwood (8-1) and Medfield (7-1) stand atop Div. 2 and Div. 3, while Dedham and Dover-Sherborn rank in Div. 3’s top-10. The same goes for the Cape Ann League, as Newburyport, North Reading, Manchester-Essex and Lynnfield all rank high in Div. 3 and Div. 4.
Lincoln-Sudbury (No. 1 in Div. 1), Algonquin (No. 2 in Div. 1), Duxbury (No. 5 in Div. 2) and Dennis-Yarmouth (No. 4 in Div. 3) are exciting newcomers to monitor.
Cousin connection
Reading junior Kendall Graves committed to the University of New Hampshire, marking yet another local Div. I collegiate commit. She’s set to join former Masconomet standout and cousin Julia Graves, currently a sophomore in the program.
“The assistant coach, Steve Danielson, is my club coach, so I’ve been to so many games and I just love the dynamic (at UNH),” she said. “And I’m excited to play with my cousin because I’ve watched her grow over the years. I’m super close with her, so I’m really excited to be able to be a part of her team.”
Next player up
Even after Watertown Molly Driscoll (150 career goals) graduated, the Raiders are still scoring at an elite rate with 56 goals in a 9-0 start. Holy Cross-bound senior Rachel Egan has been at the front of it with six hat tricks.
“We just have to keep pushing forward with the team we have,” Egan said. “Just working together, making sure our flow is good together, and trying to win together. … I’m just really excited to be part of such an amazing program and really cement my final year here.”
Milestones
Hingham’s Haylen Wilson and Franklin’s Raena Crandall each notched their 100th career points this week.
Danvers’ Grace McLaughlin and Peabody’s Sophia Kassis each surpassed 100 saves on the year already, while Ipswich’s Abbie Allen nears the mark with four shutouts.
