NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Yale field hockey alum Carol Middough '18 was at the team's final scrimmage of the spring in April to cheer on the Bulldogs, and she was also on hand last August at one of the team's preseason practices. In between those appearances, she added another chapter to her remarkable playing career. Middough spent 2018-19 playing in England for Clifton Robinsons, helping the team to a fifth-place finish in the Investec Women's Hockey League Premier Division.
"I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to play field hockey in England this past year," said Middough. "I would not have been able to do it without the support and encouragement of my family as well as coach Pam Stuper. It was a once in a lifetime experience to compete with Clifton Robinsons this past season!"
Stuper, Yale's Caroline Ruth Thompson '02 Head Coach of Field Hockey, has played internationally as well and credited Middough for seeing the value of that experience.
"I am so proud of Carol for taking the road less traveled," said Stuper. "So many college graduates rush off into the working world shortly after finishing school. Carol took an opportunity of a lifetime to live abroad – living in a foreign country, experiencing another culture and playing the highest club hockey in England. Undoubtedly, an adventure and memories to last a lifetime!"
Middough played with and against high-caliber competition -- including Olympians -- in the Premier Division, which includes 10 teams. The Surbiton roster included Emily Defroand, sister of former Yale assistant coach Alex Defroand. Clifton Robinsons finished with seven wins, nine losses and two draws for 23 points -- six points behind fourth-place Buckingham for a playoff spot.
Clifton Robinsons' season concluded Mar. 31, and Middough was back home in New Jersey by the time Yale scrimmaged at Monmouth on Apr. 20. So she was able to come out and support her former Bulldog teammates, including junior back Holly Jackson (Glastonbury, England) -- who played in the Clifton Robinsons organization while in high school.
A year ago Middough graduated from Yale with a slew of honors. As a senior she earned the team's Player of the Year Award, was named second team All-Mideast Region by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association and was a unanimous first team All-Ivy League pick. She led the Bulldogs in goals and points from 2016 through 2018, finishing third on Yale's career goals list (41) and career points list (90).
Middough was a history of art major in Pierson College. Prior to Yale she played for Jersey Intensity and was a part of USA Field Hockey's Futures Program. She is a native of Oceanport, N.J., and a graduate of Shore Regional High School.
Report by Sam Rubin '95 (sam.rubin@yale.edu), Yale Sports Publicity
