Meet Elizabeth (Stankiewicz) Neaton! She is a speech language pathologist working with students with autism in Howell, NJ. She began her athletic journey playing T-Ball and taking dance classes as soon as she was old enough. Liz found her love for field hockey around 5th grade and chose to be a goal keeper. Early on in her field hockey career in high school, she decided to pursue playing in college. She also played softball, basketball, and even made a switch to join the bowling team, but field hockey was her favorite sport that she put her passion into.
Elizabeth continued her field hockey career at the collegiate level at Stockton University. She was a four year starter and played 4 years at Stockton. Even though Liz has had various championships and accolades, her most proud moment was winning the “Monmouth County Sportsmanship Award”. Others include a school-record 12 games, she ranked fourth in the NJAC in shutouts, and for the goals against average . She recorded the second-best single-season shutout total and goals against average in school history and was part of the NFHCA National Academic Squad. Liz currently coaches for the Freehold Township High School Field Hockey team. She brings her love of field hockey and athletics to the next generation.
Q: What sports did you play growing up?
I played several sports, I was always involved. Sports have always been a part of my life. My parents started me with T-Ball and dance classes as soon as I was old enough. I played Basketball and Softball starting in 3rd grade. In middle school I played Basketball, Field Hockey and Softball. When I went to high school, I was selected to play with the varsity field hockey team my freshman year. I also played softball, all four years of high school. I continued to play basketball, but after two years, everyone was tall and I was small, so I switched to the Varsity Bowling team. I was always playing a sport no matter what season! I found my love for Field Hockey around 5th grade and chose to be a goal keeper. I decided in high school that I would pursue playing in college. I landed at Stockton University in South Jersey. There I was able to start as a freshman and play for 4 years at the collegiate level. Other sports I enjoyed in high school included softball, basketball and then I made a switch to join the bowling team.
Q:Was there anything that made you hesitant about starting your sport(s)?
I had an awesome support system, my parents were always supporting me keeping busy and trying new sports. New sports meant new friends. They were the reason I was so involved and so successful!
Q: What female athletes did you look up to?
I loved the olympics, I would always watch Misty May. Venus and Serena Williams were the female athletes that my generation grew up with !
Q: What is your favorite memory associated with sports?
I have so many memories. We had some amazing championship wins during high school, I have memories with my friends that I cherish to this day. My favorite memory is winning a field hockey state championship, winning a softball division championship and earning a spot on a college team as a freshman.
Q: How has playing sports helped shape your life?
Playing sports teaches you so much beyond just the sport. It teaches you to respect others, it teaches you sportsmanship, it helps you balance time. It makes you a stronger, and tougher woman. It keeps your mind healthy as well as your body. Sometimes, it teaches us to stand up for ourselves, and I always had amazing coaches to help with growing up as well as being a good “player”.
Q: What advice would you give to young girls who are just starting off in sports?
Try as many sports as you can! Try not to just pick one! It will help you make friends, as well as learning different fundamentals of each sport. Go to camps, participate, just try it out! Don’t be scared! Everyone has a place where they start from scratch!
Coach Rachel 