NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Junior back Keely Comizio (New Vernon, N.J.) has been elected captain of the Yale field hockey team for 2024. Comizio was chosen by a team vote late last month.

Comizio has been a stalwart in the Yale backfield throughout her career. She has not missed a game (50 games played), and has the longest active streak of consecutive starts for a field player at Yale – 45 straight games, dating back to her first career start Sept. 25, 2021. She has five career assists (all this past season) and one goal.
 
Comizio points to last season's come-from-behind win vs. Richmond as the most memorable moment of her career thus far. It was the type of win that she believes illustrates the team's potential.

"We were behind 2-0 for the majority of the game, but came back in the last five minutes to score two goals and send the game to overtime," said Comizio. "To follow that up, not even a minute into OT, [sophomore forward] Poppy [Beales (King's Lynn, Norfolk, England)] scored the game-winner on a corner. It showed the capabilities we have as a team to fight until the end. It was truly a special moment." 

There is a proud tradition of having sisters on the roster at Yale, and last year's team was typical: five players had sisters who either play or played for Yale. Comizio, though, is now part of a historic first. Her older sister Kiwi Comizio '18 captained the Bulldogs in 2017, so the Comizios are the first pair of sisters who both earned the captaincy. 

"Watching my sister play at Yale and enjoy her time here was a big reason why I chose the school," said Keely. "I saw how much she loved Yale and the incredible experience she had, and I wanted to do the same. My sisters [in addition to Kiwi, her sister Kirby Comizio played at Duke] are my biggest fans having watched all my games, and we debrief each game either in person or by texting while I'm on the bus ride home. They have improved my skills tactically, but also taught me lessons to be a leader. Kiwi was injured during her season as captain, but I learned from her the importance of supporting your teammates in any way you can." 

Comizio is a graduate of Oak Knoll, where she was captain and led the team to four state championships. She also played for New Heights Field Hockey. She is the fifth captain from New Jersey in Yale field hockey history. Her family includes multiple college athletes – in addition to her two sisters who were college athletes, her brothers Chet and T.J. played lacrosse at Villanova. Her mother, Keeneh, played field hockey and lacrosse at Penn and her father, Rob, played football at Penn. 

Yale returns 18 players for next season, the Bulldogs' third season with Melissa Gonzalez as the team's Caroline Ruth Thompson '02 Head Coach of Field Hockey. Comizio is one of nine returnees who made 12 or more starts this past year. 

Along with Comizio, next season's senior class also includes midfielder/forward Ellie Barlow (Dunmow, Essex, England),  forward/midfielder Julia Freedman (Greenwich, Conn.), midfielder/forward Nicole Gotthardt (Tarzana, Calif.), goalkeeper Alexa Pitts (Lancaster, Pa.), forward Lily Ramsey (Summit, N.J.) and back Colette Staadecker (Weybridge, Surrey, England). 

Gonzalez commended Comizio and her fellow seniors for their commitment to the program.

"We are incredibly excited for our rising senior class to step into leadership positions," said Gonzalez. "They have been united and consistent in their ability to better their best, support, challenge, compete and drive the collective standard within the squad. Each senior has a unique perspective and leadership style that suits the team as a whole. They have a big vision for what they want to accomplish and have worked tirelessly to lay the foundation. For Keely to be elected as captain is a true testament to the team's respect and trust in her abilities. Keely is passionate, competitive, open to feedback and a wonderful representative of Yale Field Hockey. We are proud of each and every player for their commitment to the process so far and look forward to the work ahead of us."

Yale won three of its final four games this past season. The Bulldogs entered the last day of the season in contention for a spot in the Ivy League Tournament before ultimately falling short with a heartbreaking overtime loss. 

With the lessons of 2023 learned, Comizio is already looking forward to 2024.

"I'm incredibly excited for next season," said Comizio. "Our team feels we did not get all the results we wanted this year, but we now have a collective understanding that we are ready to work to ensure what happened last season doesn't happen again. I love the drive we have right now and I can't wait until next season to see the result of our hard work."

Yale Field Hockey Captains from New Jersey
1985 Colleen Carberry (Pine Brook)
2005 Marly Gillece (Moorestown)
2015 Noelle Villa (Green Brook)
2017 Kiwi Comizio (New Vernon)
2024 Keely Comizio (New Vernon)