Photographs courtesy Gunston School
Grace Shepherd thought her former Team Chesapeake Shore Field Hockey Assistant Coach Kelly Hynan “was kind of crazy” for something she did on the recent Gunston School graduate’s behalf.
Hynan gave Shepherd a list of Division I field hockey programs to contact about playing for them, but the 18-year-old was skeptical that they would be interested in her. Shepherd says Hynan, who played at Division I Davidson College, always pushed her to consider schools that compete at that level.
Shepherd has the type of skills coaches covet outstanding speed, high field hockey IQ, a great shot, knack for scoring goals, and strong leadership qualities. The only thing Shepherd doesn’t possess was ideal height. She stands 5-foot-2.
“I was so surprised when a Division I school (Central Michigan University) reached out to me during my junior year,” Shepherd explains. “I was so thrilled. I talked to coach (Jennifer Johnstone), and she offered me a spot on the team.”
Shepherd, a forward, ended up signing a National Letter of Intent for an academic scholarship with the Chippewas in January.
Another Division I school, Stonehill College in Massachusetts, recruited Shepherd, a Church Hill resident, along with a few Division III schools. She didn’t take a visit to Stonehill because Central Michigan had everything she looked for regarding academics and field hockey. She plans to major in health sciences with a strong interest in graduate school.
“She is very athletic,” Johnstone says. “Every time I see her, she continues to get better. When we see our commits play, we tell what they do well and what they need to work on. She is always committed to growth. I am excited to see how good she gets at the next level.”
Shepherd adds: “I like how they were super interested in me. It really caught my eye.”
Shepherd had a stellar career at Gunston and she received recognition from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association and the Field Hockey Coaches Association of Maryland.
Shepherd was a well-respected player as an underclassman, making the all-state team. She received another great honor, being put on a national high school watch list.
Shepherd, a four-year starter for the Herons, put up impressive goal totals. She racked up 30 goals over her last two seasons and led Gunston with 14 as a junior. The Herons went 16-7 during that span and advanced to the league championship both years.
Photographs courtesy Gunston School
“She is very fast,” Gunston Field Hockey Coach Yvonne Gazelle says. “I am sure the girls are a little frustrated (trying to keep up), but not in a bad way. Her teammates kid around with her about it.”
Shepherd also excelled in girls lacrosse. She started for four years at midfield and defense and earned Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference honors as both a junior and senior. She co-captained her school’s lacrosse and field hockey teams.
When Shepherd wasn’t busy with sports, she participated in activities inside and outside of school while carrying a 3.8 grade-point average. Shepherd belonged to Gunston’s Christian Athletic Club and Mental Health Club and refereed pee wee players for Kent County Shore Sticks Field Hockey Organization in 2023 and 2024.
In addition, she was a U12 assistant coach for Team Chesapeake Shore and an employee for the local YMCA’s childcare center for the past two years.
One of the awards that meant the most to Shepherd: making the National Hockey Coaches Association All-Academic team two years in a row.
“I know she is very smart,” Johnstone says. “She was in the running for one of our top academic scholarships. It would have potentially gotten her into the honors program. She passed up that opportunity. She didn’t want to forgo living in the student-athlete dorms with her teammates.”
