The final horn had barely sounded when senior Alison Chambers jogged off the field, stick tucked under her arm and jersey streaked with turf. Another game was over, another season closer to its end. 

For Chambers, this moment marked more than a win—it capped a senior year shaped by long practices, competitive weekends and a recruiting process years in the making. 

After four seasons on the field and a standout final campaign, Chambers is preparing to take the next step in her field hockey career. This upcoming fall, she’ll suit up for the Saint Anselm College Hawks, continuing her field hockey career at the Division II level.

For Chambers, Saint Anselm wasn’t just another school on a list. It “felt natural” from the beginning.

“I really liked the team chemistry, but what stands out the most is how welcoming the girls are,” Chambers said. “The girls on the team balanced social life with school and sports. Saint A’s is very goal-oriented and sets you up for great success.”

Chambers said that, more than anything, the environment just “felt right.”

“I don’t think there was a specific moment,” Chambers said, “but rather that it felt very home-like. Seeing everyone on campus doing activities with their friends was a good feeling as well.”

Head varsity coach Nichole Treadway has watched Chambers grow from a “nervous freshman” on varsity into “one of the most influential leaders the program has seen.” What stood out most, according to Treadway, was Chambers’ evolution as both a player and a captain.

“I think she’s grown tremendously as a leader,” Treadway said. “She’s always led by example and been a positive voice, but this year, I feel like she really stood out and took the role as a captain seriously.”

Navigating varsity as a freshman can be overwhelming, but Treadway saw Chambers embrace the challenge early and keep improving since then. 

“Sometimes kids’ senior year isn’t their best year,” Treadway said, “but every year she got a little bit better, and this year was by far her best year yet.”

Treadway emphasized that Chambers’ senior year wasn’t about individual spotlight—it was about elevating the entire team.

“Ali’s growth showed in the way she played for the program as a whole, not just herself,” Treadway said. “Rather than [it] being ‘The Alison Chambers Show,’ her focus was on how she fit into the bigger picture of Londonderry field hockey, helping create a more balanced, collaborative style of play.”

When Chambers told her she had officially committed, Treadway was “over the moon.”

“I was very excited for her,” Treadway said. “I love the Saint A’s coach, she’s amazing.  I’m really excited that she’s going to be playing under someone who knows it’s bigger than just the wins and the losses, and she’s going to really care about Ali as a person and a player.”

Chambers felt that connection as well, as the coaching staff’s approach became a major factor in her decision. 

“The coach didn’t rush or pressure me whatsoever,” Chambers said. “She let me make my own decisions and gave me lots of time to think about the whole process.”

When Chambers officially committed, the emotion hit all at once. 

“There was definitely a lot of excitement, but nerves as well,” Chambers said. “It’s hard to know when you pick a college if it’s exactly what you want.”

Treadway even believes Chambers could bring some “spark” to their team, saying what the Hawks are gaining “goes beyond pure skill.”

“I think she’s a great person,” Treadway said. “They’re getting a good teammate, not just a good field hockey player.”

For Chambers, her mental game is one of her biggest strengths that she will bring with her to Saint A’s.

“What stood out most to me this field hockey season was how I handled my mental state while playing,” Chambers said. “I stayed more positive and focused on our team’s goals as well as my own.”

Transitioning to college athletics brings its own challenges—something Treadway has already talked about with Chambers.

“I think endurance and strength are areas of improvement for her,” Treadway said, “but the biggest shift may be adapting to the pace and independence of college life. You have to hold yourself accountable. It’s a different routine.”

Treadway’s biggest advice, however?

“You go out, and you be the best teammate no matter what,” Treadway said. “Be coachable, soak it in, and know that there’s room for growth.”

When Chambers steps onto the turf as a Hawk for the first time, she’ll bring with her the same determination, leadership and love for the game that shaped her entire Lancer career—ready to write the next chapter.

“I’m proud of how far I’ve come here,” Chambers said, “but I’m even more excited for what’s next.”