Meet the Captains, the Field Hockey Edition. Let's learn more about Jess Silver, Cadence Conti, Brogan Heilig, Leany Santana and Gabriella Cappelli.
 
 
Jess Silver – Senior (Wilmington, Del.)
 
Q: What is your major and why did you choose it?
A: My major is Athletic Training, and I chose it because it's always been something I've been interested in. I played three sports throughout high school, and I really enjoyed learning from our athletic trainer and seeing the impact they had on the athletes. I also like that athletic training allows me to stay involved in sports while helping people recover, improve, and reach their goals. There are so many different opportunities within the field, and I like that it can take me in a lot of different directions depending on where I want to go in my career.
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport and what inspired you to start playing?
A: I've been playing field hockey for about nine years now. I started in eighth grade, and honestly, I didn't even know what field hockey was at the time. My coach approached me and asked if I had ever played or knew anything about the sport, and I told her I didn't. She took me in, taught me how to play, and from there, I really fell in love with the sport.
 
I started playing club field hockey my sophomore year, and I also became a captain that year and continued as captain through my senior year. A lot of my inspiration came from my coach because she gave me the opportunity to try something completely new. I picked it up, had a lot of fun with it, and it ended up becoming a really important part of my life. Looking back, it's been a really fun journey, and I'm grateful that I decided to give it a chance.
 
Q: What is your favorite memory from your sport at Neumann?
A: My favorite memory from being here and playing field hockey honestly has to be last season as a whole. We had new coaches and they really brought our team together and helped us reach a new level. I'm so, so grateful for them. The entire season was such a great experience, and it was amazing to see all of our hard work pay off.
 
We made it to the AEC Championship, which was something we were really proud of. Even though the championship game didn't go the way we wanted, getting there was such an accomplishment, especially because the year before, we didn't even make the playoffs. It showed us how much we had grown as a team.
 
If I had to pick one specific memory, though, I would say our bus rides. We would all sing together, joke around, and just enjoy being with each other. Those moments really showed how close we had become and how much of a family we were. Going through the highs and lows of the season together made it so special, and I honestly wouldn't change any of it for the world.
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be selected as a captain and what are you most looking forward to in that roll?
A: Being selected as captain means a lot to me because it shows that my teammates and coaches trust me to be a leader. I'm looking forward to supporting my teammates, bringing everyone together, and making good memories as a team. I also want to help to create a positive environment where everyone feels comfortable and motivated.
 
Q: What is your dream job or career after graduating from Neumann?
A: My dream job in the long run after graduating from Neuman would probably be working for an NHL team as an athletic trainer.
 
Q: What advice would you give to underclassmen student-athletes who are just beginning their collegiate careers?
A: My advice I would give to underclassmen is to enjoy the experience and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Ask for help when you need it, work hard, stay on top of school, and just make the most of your time as a student athlete.
 
 
Cadence Conti – Senior (Cedarville, N.J.)
 
Q: What is your major and why did you choose it?
A: My major is nursing, and I switched to it my sophomore spring semester because I wanted to take a path involving medicine and helping people. 
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport and what inspired you to start playing?
A: I've been playing field hockey for, I believe, about nine years now. My friends sisters played and I always liked watching them, so one day I decided I wanted to play.
 
Q: What is your favorite memory from your sport at Neumann?
A: My favorite field hockey memory was getting a new coach who pushes me and the team to be better players and people, every step of the way.
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be selected as a captain and what are you most looking forward to in that roll?
A: It means a lot to be selected as captain. I'm looking forward to helping my team grow on the field and off the field.
 
Q: What is your dream job or career after graduating from Neumann?
A: After I graduate from Newman, I'm hoping to work in the emergency room as a nurse and potentially in the future be a flight nurse.
 
Q: What advice would you give to underclassmen student-athletes who are just beginning their collegiate careers?
A: I would say go easy on yourself, especially if you're beginning, you're a freshman, sophomore. It's all new to you. It's a different game, different atmosphere. You're away from home, away from your friends. It's a new experience. And don't take it for granted. Have fun. It's college.
 
 
Brogan Heilig – Senior (Monroeville, N.J.)
 
Q: What is your major and why did you choose it?
A: Educational studies. I chose it because I want to be a kindergarten teacher.
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport and what inspired you to start playing?
A: I have been playing for 13 years! My dad got me into it in fourth grade so ever since I've stuck with it.
 
Q: What is your favorite memory from your sport at Neumann?
A: My favorite memory so far has been scoring my first goal after transferring against Drew in our first game of the season.
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be selected as a captain and what are you most looking forward to in that roll?
A: Being selected as a captain to me means a lot because everything I've worked for over the years and everything I've learned and every situation I've gone through and endured has paid off for this moment. I feel like being selected shows that I've learned and I have the skills it takes to lead a team, which is really cool to me.
 
Q: What is your dream job or career after graduating from Neumann?
A: After graduating Neuman, I hope to be a kindergarten teacher, or any school teacher of that matter.
 
Q: What advice would you give to underclassmen student-athletes who are just beginning their collegiate careers?
A: Any advice I would give is simply to be patient. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Things take time, and even if you're not getting the results you want or seeing the results you want, in time it'll come. It's not going to happen overnight, and stick with it.
 
 
Leany Santana – Senior (Greenville, Del.)
 
Q: What is your major and why did you choose it?
A: My major is criminal justice and I chose this because I've always wanted to be in law enforcement ever since I was younger and I think a big part of being in the law enforcement is helping people get through tough times and I think that's something that calls to me.
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport and what inspired you to start playing?
A: I started playing when I was in eighth grade, all my friends started playing it and I thought it would be fun to play a different sport because I always played soccer ever since I was five years old.
 
Q: What is your favorite memory from your sport at Neumann?
A: My favorite memory at Neuman would definitely be when we played against my old school that I transferred from and we played them for our mental health game.
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be selected as a captain and what are you most looking forward to in that roll?
A: I'm currently injured so I think being chosen as captain really felt very heartwarming because in a sense, I didn't feel like I belonged in the team.
 
Q: What is your dream job or career after graduating from Neumann?
A: So after I graduate I want to become a police officer. Then after a few years of experience I would like to become a victim advocate to help kids or victims of crimes that have occurred.
 
Q: What advice would you give to underclassmen student-athletes who are just beginning their collegiate careers?
A: Advice I would give to an underclassman would be to definitely build a good relationship or connection with your coach and your teammates because I think it's important because you're going to be with them for the rest of your collegiate career and the four years that you're there. So I think if you're struggling mentally or going through something, it's always good to let the people around you know so you can advocate for yourself and know that you have a good support system.
 
 
 
Gabriella Cappelli – Junior (Phoenixville, Pa.)
 
Q: What is your major and why did you choose it?
A: I am majoring in criminal justice. My senior year of high school I took a forensics class and really enjoyed the part that involved DNA such as blood splatters and fingerprints. That led me to wanting to major in criminal justice and focus more on the forensics side
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport and what inspired you to start playing?
A: I have been playing field hockey for about 15 years. My passion for the game comes from watching my cousins play field hockey at the collegiate level while I was growing up. I have always looked up to my cousins and that in turn inspired me to play as well.
 
Q: What is your favorite memory from your sport at Neumann?
A: My favorite memory was playing in the conference championship game last year. We had worked hard all season to get there, and being able to play in that environment was a huge accomplishment for this team. We had the opportunity to stay the night in a hotel and just reflect on the season. In my opinion, our team deserved to be there more than anyone because of how hard we worked.
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be selected as a captain and what are you most looking forward to in that roll?
A: Being named captain is a huge honor to me as it shows that both my teammates and coaches trust me to help lead the team by caring about the game and my teammates. I'm looking forward to being able to motivate and lead my teammates both on and off the field and to help my teammates through the rough patches, if any, in the season and obviously the good ones too.
 
Q: What is your dream job or career after graduating from Neumann?
A: After graduating from Neuman, my dream job is to be somewhere in the forensic field, whether that is digital forensics or actually on-site.
 
Q: What advice would you give to underclassmen student-athletes who are just beginning their collegiate careers?
A: A piece of advice that I would give to underclassmen student-athletes would be that it gets better. It takes time to get adjusted to the new schedule and to get into a routine. Once you get into your routine, you are less stressed with your day-to-day activities like class and practice. While you are juggling the challenges of being a student-athlete, you need to remember to enjoy the experience. Before you know it, you are going to be a senior and graduating, so you need to live in the present and make connections with your teammates and your classmates.