Colonial Forge field hockey head coach Julie Spinelli has become a staple within the local high school field hockey scene.
In her 15 years of coaching, she’s helped the Eagles win Commonwealth District titles, regional titles and reach numerous Virginia High School League state tournaments.
Her longevity within the sport, however, has become more of an expectation than a surprise.
Colonial Forge field hockey celebrates with head coach Julie Spinelli, center, after winning her 150th game on Tuesday.
COURTESY OF JULIE SPINELLI
“I feel like I was born to teach and coach,” Spinelli said. “I played field hockey in college, and I knew that was a passion that I wanted to give to the girls here.”
Coming into the fall, Spinelli had the chance to further cement her legacy in the annals of sports in the greater Fredericksburg and Stafford area, sitting just one win away from 150 in her career.
She didn’t have to wait long to reach the milestone as the Eagles won big in Tuesday’s season opener against Massaponax, but everyone, including her, knew about what was coming at the end of the night if Colonial Forge came out victorious.
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“It was definitely in the back of my mind that this could be the game,” Spinelli said. “As a coach, every game, you’re going out there to win. … I knew that it was a good possibility.”
Players embraced Spinelli postgame as the celebrations continued, and the win itself was a great jumpstart to the season, as Colonial Forge looks to challenge the Commonwealth’s best in Stafford and North Stafford.
The Eagles have a number of returning starters which have that on their minds, just a small fraction of the standout players that have helped Spinelli reached this goal as her 16th year of coaching in the navy blue and forest green is officially underway.
“The milestone isn’t just about me,” Spinelli said. “It’s about the players, the coaches that have coached with me, the families that have been involved. I’m just so blessed to have coached these incredible athletes, these young women. … Really, those wins are a reflection of their hard work and commitment.”
Alex Murphy
@AlexMurphyJour on X
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