The Williston Girls Varsity Hockey team and their signature beanies are back in business.
The team can be recognized around campus by their matching beanies when the cold weather hits. Anytime a player is spotted outside, there is a hat on her head. Despite the jokes, the team embraces all the reasons that come with wearing the hat.
Williston Girls Hockey players have to wear a hat and jacket anytime the temperature is 40 degrees or below. The rule comes from Head coach Coach Talbot-Syfu, who has been at the helm for 21 years. Wearing hats is strictly enforced by the team, and they skate for failure to wear them.
Maybe the hats are working: In the past three years the team has made it to the NEPSAC Finals, winning in 2022 and 2023 and finishing runner up in 2024. The team’s previous records include 24-1-0 in 2022, 24-0-1 in 2023, and 20-4-1 in 2024.
Throughout the years, Williston students have dubbed the hats to be a “cult” and the nickname doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.
Alicia Lindinger, a junior who also rooms with a hockey player, finds the beanies to be entertaining, however.
“It’s always very funny to see everybody walk around with the same hats,” she said.
But as funny as the hats may look, they have meaning outside of keeping players’ cozy.
Liv Ferebee, a senior goalie, thinks there’s more to the hats. “They obviously keep us warm, but I really think it just shows us as a family and as one unit,” she adds.
Coach Alex Tancrell-Fontaine, better known as TF, recognizes the importance of staying healthy during the season and how the hats aid that.
“The winter can be long, and if there are any small ways to help avoid getting sick, then that is important to lean into,” she said.
The team started the season with a hard fought 3-1 win versus St. Paul’s School (Dec. 7), and a 5-2 win in their home opener versus Cushing (Dec. 11). The team aims to keep their past success rolling as “one unit.”
Keirstyn Camiolo, a senior forward from Redondo Beach, Calif., believes the beanies help foster team camaraderie.
“They make us feel more connected and together because we’re all matching and wearing a hat,” she said.
The close-knit group prepares to travel to Nobles and Greenough and Milton Academy to compete in the 43rd annual Harrington Tournament (Dec. 19-22). They will take on Nobles, a rematch of last year’s NEPSAC final, along with Westminster and Lawrence Academy in pool play matchup.
