Senior Taylor Interrante stands out for her ability to set up her teammates for goals. PHOTO/WILLIAM DURFEE

Hopkinton High School’s field hockey team made a run to the final eight in the Division 1 state tournament last season, with three overtime games along the way. Coach Ally Valencia said the taste of tournament play has her team looking for more as it hits the final stretch of the schedule.

“It’s fun,” Valencia said. “It’s just a whole different environment.”

Although the Hillers’ roster is relatively young, there are many players who experienced the success a year ago, when the season ended with an overtime loss to state finalist Franklin in extra time. Hopkinton posted a winning record through its first 12 games this fall and sported a top-20 ranking in the state’s top division.

“I feel like we are meeting expectations,” said Valencia, who recently recorded her 50th career win as HHS coach. “We have a young team, but our senior leadership has been holding it down and doing a great job setting the tone at practice and the expectations in games.”

Valencia said the Tri-Valley League and the Hillers’ non-league slate have been especially competitive, but her team seems to rise to the occasion when tested. Hopkinton has wins over Ashland and Westwood this fall and gave powerhouse squads like Bishop Feehan and Wellesley a run for their money.

“Even the games we are losing, we are losing to tough competitors and we are sticking with them,” Valencia said. “They are very good teams, and it just preps us well for the tournament season.”

Senior captain Avery Quebec is one of the most important players on this year’s roster, and Valencia called her a “workhorse” in the midfield.

“She is involved in almost every play on the attack, in transition and on defense,” the coach said. “She is like the glue that keeps both sides together.”

Another senior, Taylor Interrante, is one of the top players on the team when it comes to setting up goals.

“She does a great job bringing the ball into the circle and distributing it,” Valencia said. “I always joke that she can break ankles with her stick work.”

Elena Valis and Ryan Cunningham are two of Hopkinton’s best scorers. Valencia said both are “relentless in the circle.”

Senior defender Kate Williams is a returning starter from a year ago and has helped mentor a young defense.

“She has one of the hardest jobs,” Valencia said. “We have a brand new goalie, a new center back and a right back who is a sophomore. So Kate is doing a great job of teaching the defenders and leading them.”

Valencia is hopeful that leadership will help the Hillers earn home field for the start of the tournament and put together another lengthy and exciting tournament experience.

“I feel like this team has had a taste of the postseason and how fun and competitive it is,” she said. “We don’t want the season to end, we want to keep going.”