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Get to Know Northwestern University Field Hockey Commit, Kayla Joyce
Name: Kayla Joyce
Hometown: Wexford, Pennsylvania
High School: North Allegheny Senior High School
Sport: Field Hockey
Position: Goalie
Accolades: Four-time North Allegheny Scholar- Athlete, three–time Defensive Player of the Year for North Allegheny, four-time WPIAL semifinalist, two-time WPIAL finalist, two-time WPIAL all-star, all-WPIAL selection, 611 career saves, an 89 percent save percentage over her final two high school seasons, a career-high 48 saves against Magnificat (OH) in her junior season, and a ranking as a top 150 recruit in the country for the high school class of 2025.
Club Field Hockey Involvement: Joyce competes for Field Hockey Life (FHL) and Pittsburgh Venom. “FHL is a club I joined last spring in order to participate in National Club Championships (NCCs),, which is a fun and very competitive tournament. Although I have only been with this team for a bit and only see them for a short time, this club has had a very positive impact on me. The girls and coaches were all so sweet and welcoming when I first joined, and being able to play with them and click immediately was such a blessing that I am so grateful for. In terms of Pittsburgh Venom, they have been my home since day one. These coaches are a main reason for me falling in love with this sport, and they supported me every step of the way. Without this club, I would not be where I am today and I would not have been able to meet all of the amazing people who I am close with and know I will remain connected with over time. This club has also allowed me to play against top teams and improve my skills throughout many indoor tournaments.”
Commitment: Northwestern University. The private, research university is located in Evanston, Illinois are competes in the Big Ten Conference in athletics. Northwestern is known as one of the finest institutions of higher education in the world, while also doubling to compete in one of the premiere athletic conferences in NCAA Division I. The student population of the institution is nearly 23,000 students, but Northwestern features just a seven percent acceptance rate. Northwestern competes under the mascot the Wildcats. Presently, the field hockey program is 21-1 in 2024, are nationally ranked, and are in the national semifinals.
Why She Chose Northwestern: “When I toured Northwestern, I immediately knew it was home. Not only are they a top academic school, but their field hockey program is also one of the best in the nation. The coaches there are very friendly and welcoming, but also are very serious when it comes to the sport. I love this because I get a balance of being able to work hard and have coaches that will help me improve, while also being able to enjoy my sport. Not only this, but Northwestern’s location is absolutely perfect as it is right on Lake Michigan and very close to Chicago. It feels like I’m in my own little world in Evanston, but also close enough to Chicago that I can drive there whenever I’d like to enjoy all it has to offer.”
Intended Major and Career Plans: Joyce is deciding between a career and major in engineering or business.
Favorite Field Hockey Memories: “I have so many amazing memories it is hard to choose, especially since I started playing in the seventh grade, but I would have to say my top three are making 48 saves against Magnificent, which is in the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) record book, getting surprised by my team mid-game with a 500 saves celebration, and getting a shutout with my indoor team to qualify for nationals and win our bracket after having over 30 shots on goal.”
Her Support System: “I would definitely like to mention all of my Pittsburgh Venom coaches, especially coaches Rambo, Kyla, and Ben. They have all watched me grow since seventh grade. Rambo, my goalie coach, has taught me everything I know today and how to stay calm under pressure. She is such a great coach and adapts to every goalies’ different playing style; allowing all of them to reach their best potential. She is literally my saving grace and I would not trade her as a coach for the world. My other coaches, Ben and Kyla, have also been my biggest supporters. They have been my coaches almost every season and I have so much respect for them and their ability to have our team adapt our playing ability to any team we face. I would also like to mention my high school coach, Michelle Kessler, who has taught me how to be a leader and has been another one of my biggest supporters. She has also inspired me to continue my athletic career in college and helped me improve during my high school years. Finally, I would also like to mention my parents who were the ones who introduced me to this sport. Not only this, but they would drive me almost every single weekend to a new college clinic, tournament, or showcase to help me improve and get my name out there. Without any of these people I would not be the goalie or person I am today.”
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