2008 Woodie Awards
High school rivals become Bobcat buddies
Senior field hockey players Amy Cunniff and Erin McKay find friendship at Quinnipiac
David Hutter
Issue date: 10/26/05 Section: Sports
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"I knew she was from Norwood, so I didn't like her."
Quinnipiac University field hockey senior midfielder Amy Cunniff emphatically uttered these words recently to describe the attitude she had toward senior Bobcat goalie Erin McKay when they played against each other on rival high school teams south of Boston.
Likewise, McKay used to harbor a similarly unflattering view of Cunniff.
"I thought she was a prude," McKay recalled.
But two years later, McKay would be calling Cunniff something else - roommate.
As you might gather, their preconceived notions of each other proved wrong. But as the two QU seniors get ready for their final NEC tournament this week, they can now look back on a transformation that didn't happen overnight.
As high school seniors in November 2001, they became personally acquainted with each other for the first time after becoming teammates on the Cape Ann Coalition team at the National Field Hockey Festival. After being placed in the same hotel room while playing in the tournament in West Palm Beach, Fla., McKay and Cunniff delivered surprising news to each other: each was committed to enrolling at Quinnipiac and playing on the school's Division I field hockey team.
For Cunniff, the realization that she and McKay would be college teammates initially left her feeling apprehensive.
"I was nervous, to tell you the truth," said Cunniff, a graduate of Walpole High School. Cunniff added the realization of being a college teammate with a player from rival Norwood High left her thinking, "Oh God, I don't like this girl."
While rooming together in Florida, their perceptions of each changed quicker than a shot on goal.
"I thought Erin was kind of stuck-up and [would keep] all to herself," Cunniff said. "But that was not what she was like at all. She was the most outgoing and friendly person who got along with everyone."
McKay realized that her perception of Cunniff as prudish was unjustified. Rather, she found Cunniff friendly, just quieter than she was.
Quinnipiac University field hockey senior midfielder Amy Cunniff emphatically uttered these words recently to describe the attitude she had toward senior Bobcat goalie Erin McKay when they played against each other on rival high school teams south of Boston.
Likewise, McKay used to harbor a similarly unflattering view of Cunniff.
"I thought she was a prude," McKay recalled.
But two years later, McKay would be calling Cunniff something else - roommate.
As you might gather, their preconceived notions of each other proved wrong. But as the two QU seniors get ready for their final NEC tournament this week, they can now look back on a transformation that didn't happen overnight.
As high school seniors in November 2001, they became personally acquainted with each other for the first time after becoming teammates on the Cape Ann Coalition team at the National Field Hockey Festival. After being placed in the same hotel room while playing in the tournament in West Palm Beach, Fla., McKay and Cunniff delivered surprising news to each other: each was committed to enrolling at Quinnipiac and playing on the school's Division I field hockey team.
For Cunniff, the realization that she and McKay would be college teammates initially left her feeling apprehensive.
"I was nervous, to tell you the truth," said Cunniff, a graduate of Walpole High School. Cunniff added the realization of being a college teammate with a player from rival Norwood High left her thinking, "Oh God, I don't like this girl."
While rooming together in Florida, their perceptions of each changed quicker than a shot on goal.
"I thought Erin was kind of stuck-up and [would keep] all to herself," Cunniff said. "But that was not what she was like at all. She was the most outgoing and friendly person who got along with everyone."
McKay realized that her perception of Cunniff as prudish was unjustified. Rather, she found Cunniff friendly, just quieter than she was.
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