On April 18, the U.S. Under-16 Women’s Field Hockey Team engaged in a tight game against Germany in Valkenswaard, Netherlands. As the game went on with no clear indicator of a winner, sophomore Peyton Esposito scored a reverse goal, ending the game 5-3.
Esposito’s background in field hockey began with inspiration from her aunt, who previously played for the U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey Team. Esposito started playing for the club WC Eagles and began leading games in goals and assists. When she reached high school, she made the varsity team as a freshman. By her sophomore year, she became Conestoga’s leading scorer, putting up 36 goals and 21 assists and was a key player in the team’s first state championship win in 2024.
Esposito joined 23 other players selected to compete in the 2025 Four Nations Tournament held from April 14 to April 22. The coaches choose from the nationalwide pool of field hockey players based on skill and previous accomplishments.
“The U.S. team selection process is a yearlong process. You start off with a small region selection then a state wide selection, and then a national tournament,” Esposito said. “My mom texted me while I was in my history class, and I had to sit through the class nervously waiting, so I couldn’t even focus. As soon as I heard the bell, I went straight to my phone to read the email.”
Conestoga assistant field hockey coach Emily Arnot was proud of Esposito for her accomplishment of being selected to Team USA.
“When Peyton was selected for Team USA, I was so proud of her and so excited to see how the coaching and challenges of the USA field hockey program would continue to help her grow,” Arnot said. “She is an incredibly hard worker who holds herself to the highest standard, so seeing her be selected to represent our country is so well deserved.”
Esposito soon began training for the tour with other players. They participated in camps to prepare for competition with international teams. Once players made the selection camps, beginning in December, they flew to North Carolina to train and be evaluated. From the selection camps, officials named a national team.
“At the monthly training camps, we would play for three days. It was a combination of drills, scrimmages, film and nutrition talks. It was always a very focused but fun environment,” Esposito said. “Everyone was competing against each other for a spot while also getting to know everyone who could possibly be your teammate. It was a great experience.”
The team played five games against European teams throughout the tour. At the end of the tournament, the team had the most total points would win.
“Our game against Germany was the most fun. Our team was so connected and the energy was high,” Esposito said. “When I scored my reverse goal, it felt so rewarding, like all my hard work and practice had paid off.”
Esposito is one of Max Field Hockey’s Top 100 Players to Watch in the Class of 2027 and has played in many national-level tournaments, such as in USA Field Hockey’s National Club and Indoor tournaments. With hopes of continuing to play and one day joining the U.S. Women’s National Team, Esposito’s goals continue to grow alongside her achievements.
“I have just signed an NIL (Name, Image, and Likeliness) deal with STX (a sports equipment manufacturer) and was named top 50 players in the Class of 2027,” Esposito said. “I plan to go on and play in college and hopefully be on the USWNT to play in the Olympics.”
Sosi Sengal can be reached at [email protected].
