Three-sport athlete Eva Stevens was convinced as a freshman that basketball would always be her favorite sport — until she picked up a field hockey stick and was introduced to coach Jody Harmon.

Four years later, the 2022 Mt. Blue graduate will be playing in the Maine Field Hockey Festival and McNally Senior All-Star Game on Saturday at Thornton Academy in Saco. Stevens will play for the North team in the All-Star Game.

“I am so excited to represent Mt. Blue one more time,” Stevens, who was a solid 3-point shooter in basketball and also played softball, said. “(I will be) playing with people I used to play with, play against and tons of people I know.

“I will miss high school sports and the coaches. … Going into high school, basketball was my No. 1. Then I started playing field hockey for Jody Harmon and I fell in love with it.”

Stevens mentioned that her mom and dad are “not doing so hot” as they brace themselves for their daughter’s impending departure in the fall. Her parents were regulars at her games and her dad, Charles, sometimes helped with the teams. She is grateful to her parents for their love and support.

“They are definitely going to miss me. I can already tell,” Stevens said. “I am starting to veer off this summer and hanging out with friends and they miss me already.”

Harmon calls Stevens a good, all-around athlete who constantly seeks improvement and excels in any sport.

“That intense drive pushed her a long way,” Harmon said. “She was just a sponge of information, and she worked for it constantly and did extra and did stuff outside of the season. She really liked basketball … but field hockey just clicked (for her). There is no stopping her.

“I am really excited to see what the next four years bring because she is only going to improve each year. She wants to earn it and she wants to get better.”

Harmon added that Stevens led by example, had a strong presence and was relentless on the field for her team. The Mt. Blue coach said her flexibility in any position was a plus for the Cougars field hockey team.

In the fall, Stevens is off to Thomas College in Waterville, where she will study sports management and has set her sights on playing field hockey for the Terriers.

“I am playing for (Thomas) coach Andrea Thebarge,” Stevens said. “I played club with her this past winter and spring, and it was so much fun.”

Stevens praises Harmon as a coach who had a hand in her future. Stevens also gave a shout-out to assistant field hockey coach Elizabeth LeClair for her guidance.

“(Harmon) wanted the best for (the team),” Stevens said. “She worked us hard and got us where we wanted to be. She told it how it was, and said if this is what you want, you have to work for it — and we did.

“I’m just beyond grateful for the experience I had and I can’t thank Jody enough. She got me into the college recruiting process. She did everything she could for me, and I am thankful for that. I am going to miss it 100 percent. I am just going to miss it all. I am excited for my future and to keep playing.”

Stevens’ summer will be about training for the Thomas field hockey team.

“I am ready to play college field hockey,” she said. “I am destined to have a spot on that team. I want to play, and I know I can if I work hard and stay in shape. 

“I am ready to move on and figure out what I am going to do the rest of my life. I will be (rooming) at Thomas. That’s the plan.”

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