Boothbay Region High School junior Sydney Meader has verbally committed to play field hockey at the University of Maine at Orono after graduating high school, according to BRHS field hockey coach Donna Jordan and BRHS athletic director Allan Crocker. Jordan said Meader made the commitment recently after meeting with UMaine coach Josette Babineau.

Meader, daughter of Michelle Bouchard and Bernie Meader of Boothbay, is a two-time state field hockey all-star, the school record holder for goals in a season (24 in 2016) and goals in a career (48 in three years, 2014-2016). She was a first team Mountain Valley Conference all-star in 2016 and was named to the MVC second team in 2014 and 2015.

When asked why she chose UMaine, Meader said Monday, “I wanted to stay close enough to home so my family and coaches could watch me play. I also played club field hockey there (for former UMaine assistant coach Courtney Veinotte, who is now coaching at Hofstra University).”

Coach Jordan, a member of the Maine Field Hockey Hall of Fame (2006 inductee) and a longtime Maine high school field hockey coach, said Meader is among the top players she’s ever coached.

“The game has evolved so much. When I think back to all the players I’ve coached, Sydney is leading the way as far as talent goes. I’ve had nine players go on to play D1 (College Division 1) field hockey and you could say that Sydney is at number two,” said Jordan.

Crocker said Meader is perhaps the best field hockey player ever to play at BRHS and that her accomplishments are amazing.

“I think she’s the only (BRHS) junior ever to verbally commit to playing a Division 1 sport,” said Crocker. “This speaks well for upcoming athletes who, despite playing for a Class C school, may be talented enough to compete at the top level. Sydney has worked really hard for this.”

Meader has played field hockey since grade 4. Her mother and others started a local youth field hockey program and Sydney has participated in club field hockey since 2012, most recently for the Maine Black Bear Elite. She has participated in several tournaments, being a National Indoor Tournament qualifier this year.

While at UMaine, Meader said she would like to study medicine.

“My mom is an eye doctor. I’m not sure what area of study I’ll choose. Maybe a surgeon,” said Meader.

During her official visitation at UMaine, Meader said she met with coach Babineau, toured the facilities and watched a couple of practices. Under NCAA rules, because Meader is only a junior, Babineau cannot comment on her commitment.

“I met the academic advisors for the field hockey team and some of the players. The visit went really well,” said Meader.

Babineau, who will be returning to UMaine for her 10th season in 2017, has guided the Black Bears to eight straight America East tournament appearances and has over 100 wins at UMaine. She will also take over the Maine Black Bear Elite club team after Veinotte’s recent departure to coach at Hofstra.

This article has been updated.