Upcoming Event: Field Hockey at Old Dominion on August 15, 2026 at 1 p.m.
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1 p.m.
Field Hockey
at Old Dominion
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Signee Spotlight: Alaina McVeigh
2/1/2022 5:30:00 PM | Field Hockey
DURHAM – Duke field hockey head coach Pam Bustin is excited to announce the 2022 Blue Devil freshman class this spring. Over the coming weeks, we will profile each of the incoming Blue Devils, starting with Alaina McVeigh.
"Alaina's speed and goal scoring skills will undoubtedly have a positive impact on our attacking game," said Bustin. "Her incredible determination and athletic ability consistently make her a feared opponent. She has benefitted from the additional competitive levels provided by her international experience with both her WC Eagles club and our National Indoor and Outdoor teams. The impact she has had on her Gwynedd Mercy Academy HS team has been incredible as she led the Monarchs to a district championship and state championship run. I cannot wait to begin and support Alaina's collegiate journey!"
Tabbed a top-10 player in the Class of 2022 by Max Field Hockey, McVeigh is a three-time first team all-state selection and a 2022 first team All-American. Playing her school hockey at Gwynedd Mercy, the talented forward led her squad in scoring all four seasons. She completed her scholastic career with 173 goals and 74 assists, a Gwynedd Mercy record. McVeigh racked up 71 goals and 25 assists her senior year en route to leading her team to the District 1 title and the state championship runner-up. She was named to the NFHCA all-region first team for her efforts.
McVeigh was voted captain at Gwynedd Mercy her junior and senior seasons and garnered the team's Most Valuable Player Award as well. Tabbed Gwynedd Mercy's Offensive Player of the Year in her first two seasons, McVeigh also was a second-team all-state selection as a rookie.
Playing her club hockey with the WC Eagles Field Hockey Club, McVeigh won four national club championships and a total of nine national indoor tournament titles. She earned an invitation to be on the WC Eagles international travel team to Holland and England where they won a pair of championships.
A mainstay on the USA Field Hockey scene, she was selected to take part in the 2021 Rise Selection Camp and as an alternate for the U.S. Pan Am Indoor team. McVeigh is a member of the U.S. Senior National Indoor Team as well as the Junior National Team.
Get to know Alaina
When did you start playing field hockey?
I started playing field hockey when I was six years old. My mom played field hockey in high school and my family encouraged me to try a bunch of different sports.
Favorite subject in school
My favorite subject in school is math because I like problem-solving and eventually getting to the right answer.
Who has had the biggest impact on your life and why?
My family has had the biggest impact on my life. My parents always encouraged my brother and me to work hard, do well in school and to go the extra mile to improve our skills on the field. Watching my brother and the way he prepares to play D1 baseball each season is also highly motivating.
If you were to play another sport, what would it be
If I didn't play field hockey, I would probably play lacrosse. I prefer team sports on a field, and I like how fast the game moves and the wide variety of shots.
Best field hockey memory
My best field hockey memory is winning the District 1 Championship with my high school team during my senior year. We played the team that beat us in the Championship the year before. Our student section was amazing, and everyone sang our alma mater after, which was such a special and memorable moment for my high school.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I am a really good speed-walker.
You win a chance to host a small concert with 5-10 of your closest friends, what musical artist do you ask to perform?
Taylor Swift
#GoDuke
"Alaina's speed and goal scoring skills will undoubtedly have a positive impact on our attacking game," said Bustin. "Her incredible determination and athletic ability consistently make her a feared opponent. She has benefitted from the additional competitive levels provided by her international experience with both her WC Eagles club and our National Indoor and Outdoor teams. The impact she has had on her Gwynedd Mercy Academy HS team has been incredible as she led the Monarchs to a district championship and state championship run. I cannot wait to begin and support Alaina's collegiate journey!"
Tabbed a top-10 player in the Class of 2022 by Max Field Hockey, McVeigh is a three-time first team all-state selection and a 2022 first team All-American. Playing her school hockey at Gwynedd Mercy, the talented forward led her squad in scoring all four seasons. She completed her scholastic career with 173 goals and 74 assists, a Gwynedd Mercy record. McVeigh racked up 71 goals and 25 assists her senior year en route to leading her team to the District 1 title and the state championship runner-up. She was named to the NFHCA all-region first team for her efforts.
McVeigh was voted captain at Gwynedd Mercy her junior and senior seasons and garnered the team's Most Valuable Player Award as well. Tabbed Gwynedd Mercy's Offensive Player of the Year in her first two seasons, McVeigh also was a second-team all-state selection as a rookie.
Playing her club hockey with the WC Eagles Field Hockey Club, McVeigh won four national club championships and a total of nine national indoor tournament titles. She earned an invitation to be on the WC Eagles international travel team to Holland and England where they won a pair of championships.
A mainstay on the USA Field Hockey scene, she was selected to take part in the 2021 Rise Selection Camp and as an alternate for the U.S. Pan Am Indoor team. McVeigh is a member of the U.S. Senior National Indoor Team as well as the Junior National Team.
Get to know Alaina
When did you start playing field hockey?
I started playing field hockey when I was six years old. My mom played field hockey in high school and my family encouraged me to try a bunch of different sports.
Favorite subject in school
My favorite subject in school is math because I like problem-solving and eventually getting to the right answer.
Who has had the biggest impact on your life and why?
My family has had the biggest impact on my life. My parents always encouraged my brother and me to work hard, do well in school and to go the extra mile to improve our skills on the field. Watching my brother and the way he prepares to play D1 baseball each season is also highly motivating.
If you were to play another sport, what would it be
If I didn't play field hockey, I would probably play lacrosse. I prefer team sports on a field, and I like how fast the game moves and the wide variety of shots.
Best field hockey memory
My best field hockey memory is winning the District 1 Championship with my high school team during my senior year. We played the team that beat us in the Championship the year before. Our student section was amazing, and everyone sang our alma mater after, which was such a special and memorable moment for my high school.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I am a really good speed-walker.
You win a chance to host a small concert with 5-10 of your closest friends, what musical artist do you ask to perform?
Taylor Swift
#GoDuke
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