Scout Engstrom is always looking for ways to score when she has the ball on her stick, and she’s done an impressive job of that during her tenure as a member of the Branford field hockey team. Now a senior, Scout is serving as one of the Hornets’ captains and wants to finish her high school career strong by upholding the traditions that the Branford field hockey program has become known for.

Scout started playing field hockey at Walsh Intermediate School in 5th grade. Prior to that, she participated in clinics run by legendary coach Cathy McGuirk. Scout’s mother Stephanie, who played for McGuirk, encouraged her to try field hockey. Between learning from McGuirk, playing for Coach Pete Frye at Walsh, and competing alongside her friends, Scout found that she enjoyed playing field hockey and realized she was going to be in it for the long haul.

“Cathy McGuirk was the first person I did a camp with. I enjoyed playing for her,” says Scout. “I loved having Coach Frye as my coach. It was pretty easy to stay in the field hockey community. Everybody in it is so nice. I loved playing the sport.”

After playing at Walsh from 5th to 8th grade, Scout knew that she was going to continue with the sport in high school. She joined the Branford field hockey team as a freshman. Scout met then-senior Brianna Shaw, who looked out for her and helped her get acclimated to the varsity level.

“Freshman year was a big step going from Walsh to high school. It’s way more intense playing in high school,” Scout says. “But the high school team welcomed me in the preseason. Brianna Shaw took me under her wing. I felt like I fit right in.”

Scout was immediately thrown into the varsity fray. With Shaw at the center forward position, Scout played left wing for Branford’s varsity squad as a freshman. While she was one of the younger girls on the field, Scout felt that she had a great opportunity to play varsity right away and wanted to prove that she belonged out there.

“I was the little one out there compared to all the other girls, but I saw it as an opportunity, and I just stepped up my game,” Scout says. “I really wanted to stay on varsity.”

After gaining valuable experience as a freshman, Scout earned All-SCC Division A honors in her sophomore season and then made both the All-SCC First Team and the All-State Class M Team for her junior campaign. Scout says that receiving those accolades showed her how her hard work had paid off and gave her something to strive for as a senior.

“It’s a show of how hard I worked during the season. I was really honored to win those awards,” says Scout. “It was super unexpected to receive First Team All-State as a junior. It’s something for me to work for again this year. It was nice receiving those awards, but now I just want to work harder to continue to uphold what it means to receive them.”

Scout is playing center forward for the Hornets in her senior season. As a freshman, Scout looked up to Shaw, who was a forward. Now, with freshman Aliza Giordano playing Scout’s old left-wing position, Scout wants to provide Giordano with the same leadership that Shaw gave to her.

Scout will have ample opportunities to serve as a leader as she serves as one of Branford’s captains alongside fellow seniors Gianna Bozzi, Lauren McCarthy, and Lauren Kendrick this season. Scout was honored to be named a captain and wants to ensure that the younger athletes feel welcomed and are ready to compete for the Hornets.

“I was happy to become a captain. It comes with the responsibility of being a leader and earning the respect of your teammates,” Scout says. “I want to be a good role model for the younger players on the team and be someone they can ask questions to. I want to be there for them. I was a freshman once. My responsibility is to keep our team going throughout the season, even when it gets tiring. My co-captains are super supportive.”

Along with her leadership, Scout is always looking to score the ball for the Hornets. Scout makes sure to keep her head up and look for an open player to pass to. However, when she gets inside the 25-yard box, Scout focuses on one thing—putting the ball past the opposing goalie.

“I want to score,” Scout says. “I just have to think about where our players are and always pick my head up to see if I have a pass. It’s always good to pass rather than just scoring the whole time. But really, as soon as I get past the 25-yard line, I’m just thinking about scoring.”

After coaching Scout at Walsh, Frye is working with her again as head coach of the Branford field hockey team. Frye watched Scout grow up as a field hockey player. He feels proud to see how Scout has become a major part of the Hornets’ success and one of the best players in the SCC.

“Scout has been our offensive force since her freshman year. She has evolved from strictly a goal scorer to being the main ball mover on our front line, assisting as many goals as she scores,” says Frye. “Her dedication to the team is unrivaled. She has played through a lot of injuries and never missed a game for us. Scout is one of the premier players in our conference.”

Scout is also a member of the Branford girls’ tennis team. Scout says that playing tennis has benefited her footwork in field hockey, and she thoroughly enjoys competing for both Hornets’ programs.

“Tennis helped my footwork a lot for field hockey. It helped me move my feet faster when I play 1-on-1 defense. Tennis also helps with my hand-eye coordination,” Scout says. “It’s nice to have a new group of girls to play with. I like to bring the traditions over from field hockey. It makes it feel more like a team.”

As she enters her senior year, Scout is feeling confident and ready to succeed as a leader. Scout says that the Branford field hockey team has the chemistry and talent to put together a special season this fall. Scout is excited about putting on her jersey one final time and showing everyone how special of a program the Hornets have.

“Being a part of the field hockey team is more than just playing a sport. It’s being a part of a family, having sisters, and carrying on traditions that have been in place for years,” Scout says. “Being a part of the field hockey team has shaped me into the person I am today. Being a part of the field hockey team has pushed me hard. It comes with so much reputation. You want to uphold that, playing for Branford.”