When she was in sixth grade, Catasauqua’s Abby Antipas started going to field hockey practices with her older sister, Bailey.

A year later, Antipas started playing the sport, and she developed into one of the current Rough Riders’ stalwarts.

“I started playing field hockey in seventh grade, and my sister introduced me to the sport,” said Antipas. “I used to go to practices with her and would practice with the team sometimes.”

Antipas has credited her coaches for her current state.

“My biggest influences have been my coaches,” added Antipas. “They’ve always seen something in me that I couldn’t see in myself and motivated me constantly as well as pushed me to be a better player.”

Head coach Amanda Freiler has watched Antipas develop into an integral part of the team.

“She is very skilled,” said Freiler about her senior. “She has that finesse to weave in and out of defenders easily. She has the grit and intensity to hustle all over the field to help ensure a win or make a difference in the outcome of the game.

“She’s a leader whom the underclassmen look up to and idolize.”

Antipas has a positive outlook and has relished a leadership role.

“I see our team as a hardworking team, even though we had a rough start,” said Antipas. “Everyone used that as a motivation to get better, and we started working very well together. We finally figured out how to work as a team.

“I see myself having an important role being an upperclassmen. I believe my job is to be someone that underclassmen can look up to, and I try my best to guide them in any way I can. Whenever they have questions, want me to teach them a new skill, or whatever it is, I try to do my best for them.”

As for the team, Freiler is confident her team can secure a district berth. The Roughies began the week with a 5-7 record and six regular-season games left.

“The team is in good spirits,” she said. “They know the opportunity of making districts is not out of reach.”