Daily smiles, daisy crowns and most notably, domination mark Hockaday’s lacrosse program. Success graces the team but inherent to their achievements are high expectations, relentless effort and innumerable hours that players spend training and growing their potential.
Under the nine-year leadership of Head Lacrosse Coach Molly Ford Hutchinson, the program has won five Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) championships and five state championships as of early May 2025. With a background in playing Division I lacrosse at Georgetown University and competing for the United States Women’s Lacrosse Team, Ford Hutchinson applies her experience to her coaching style, setting high demands for her players.
Combined with her coaching strategies and each player’s personal expectations, the efficiency and effectiveness of each practice are maximized.
“They really are trying to fine tune their craft, so our practices are faster paced,” Ford Hutchinson said. “We’re able to get to that next level as a unit because of the individual work that our players have done in the off-season.”
Though most of the team plays for GRIT, a lacrosse club founded in Dallas, Tufts-committed co-captain Aynalie Charron said not playing club lacrosse should not be a barrier for athletes hoping to try out.
“I think there are so many people who are such great athletes, but they’re too scared to join just because they haven’t played club,” Charron said.
In fact, Ford Hutchinson said that one of the biggest factors that differentiates Hockaday lacrosse from other opponents is the ability of the athletes to play multi-sports, which increases their lacrosse IQ.
GRIT serves as a platform for players seeking to play in college. With five recruited athletes from the Hockaday Class of 2025, GRIT has played an essential role in their athletic experiences.
“I think GRIT is an outlet for a lot of these players to play at the next level: a source for them to get recruited at the next level,” Ford Hutchinson said.
Being able to practice at GRIT year-round allows players to prepare for the Hockaday season, where the coaches continue setting high standards for their players. To aid athletes in achieving those expectations, Ford Hutchinson offers them advice to burgeon the team’s overall success.
“I think we’re big on pointing out how can we adjust, and we are demanding the fact that we need the players to adjust, but we try to keep it as positive as possible with constructive criticism,” Ford Hutchinson said. “We have our girls watching film. When we see we’re dropping off in certain areas, that’s where we’re focusing on [during practice].”
Senior Harvard commit Charlotte Schultz builds on the importance of analyzing film.
“The small differences make all the difference, and when we’re watching, it’s just learning [the opponent’s] tendencies,” Schultz said.
Along with pinpointing areas of improvement, Charron emphasizes that hard work and constant effort are the most important qualities in the team.
“I think everybody comes to practices and to games ready to put their best on the field,” Charron said. “Whenever one person’s feeling a little down, it’s the energy of everybody else that pushes them to keep going.”
The work ethic of the players also inspires the coaching staff, fostering a rewarding atmosphere.
“Seeing these girls grow year after year and the hard work they put in is so motivating and drives us,” Ford Hutchinson said. “It gives us a jolt of energy when we come to practice every day.”
Not only does the team’s connection strengthen during practices, but the team also has a closeness that co-captain and Stanford commit Mae Flanagan believes characterizes both their on and off the field bonds.
“We’re all one big HLax (Hockaday lacrosse) family,” Flanagan said. “Some people think we’re a cult, but I prefer the word family to describe our team.”
Schultz highlights that the friendliness and unity of the team cultivates discipline.
“There definitely is some truth to when people say lacrosse is a cult,” Schultz said. “We’re all very close on and off the field, and I think that comes from our coaches all the way down to us. We’re very respectful, but we have a lot of fun together.”
For Charron, the constant hard work and determination for progress nurtures the joy prevalent among the team members.
“Whenever everybody’s having fun on the lacrosse field is when everybody is putting in the most effort,” Charron said. “It’s fun to watch somebody do the behind the back, and everybody gets excited.”
Flanagan believes the joy of playing lacrosse is important for players to carry onto the field.
“That’s the goal at the end of the day,” Flanagan said. “You’re playing a sport, and the reason you’re playing is to have fun and enjoy it. Always find a way to derive joy from whatever you’re doing.”
Schultz encourages younger teammates to enjoy every moment.
“You’re in such a special environment with such a special group of people that you should cherish every single moment, because before you know it, it’ll be over a little sooner than you want it to,” Schultz said. “It’s just so special – there’s no other word for it.”
