College field hockey: Hynes sisters of Auburn boost WPI, Assumption to shining starts

The WPI and Assumption field hockey teams scrimmaged early this preseason and, for the first time, sisters Shannon and Kileigh Hynes of Auburn were opponents.

“It was different,” said Shannon, WPI’s senior center back, “but it was fun. We know each other very well because we’ve played together for so long. It was funny trying to make a move on a girl who knows exactly how to stop you.”

Shannon and Kileigh, who is a junior midfielder for the Greyhounds, helped lead Auburn High to three straight (2013-15) Central Mass. Division 2 titles and three consecutive state final appearances.

This fall, Shannon and Kileigh are continuing to have success at their respective colleges. At 9-0, WPI is off to its best start in more than 25 years. Assumption is 7-1 and nationally ranked.

“We’re all really playing as a team and seeing the one goal at hand and accomplishing it every game,” Kileigh said. “We’ve been really good about finding the passing options and executing on the opportunities we get in front of the goal.”

Heading into Tuesday’s game against Bentley, the Greyhounds led the Northeast-10 Conference with 34 goals. In its first seven wins, AC outscored its foes, 34-5. The Greyhounds’ leading goal scorer is junior Deirdre Burchill with five.

“It’s tough to mark us,” Assumption coach Annie Lahey said. “We have multiple threats.”

Kileigh has two goals and two assists. She scored on a penalty corner in the Hounds’ 5-0 win over St. Thomas Aquinas on Sunday.

Kileigh transferred to Assumption last year after spending her freshman year at UMass and playing on the club field hockey team.

“Assumption is a perfect fit,” Kileigh said. “It felt like coming home. It was a great transition.”

Kileigh played in 18 games last year with 13 starts. She totaled four assists while helping the Greyhounds to the semifinals of the NE-10 tourney.

Lahey said Kileigh was on her radar when she played at Auburn, and she also recruited Shannon.

“Kileigh came in last year and instantly gelled with the team,” Lahey said.

This season, Kileigh is one of the first off the bench and part of AC’s deep rotation.

“When she goes in she makes a difference right away,” said Lahey, noting Kileigh’s skill, stick work, vision and poise on the left side. “She goes through people left and right, she’s able to eliminate and go forward and take one step into the circle. Having our low middies carry right into the circle has been a huge benefit to us. We’re able to get shots off and then get rebounds.”

While playing for coach Bethann Cormier at Auburn, the Hynes sisters combined on many big goals, including in the Rockets’ 1-0 win over Hopedale in the 2014 Central Mass. final.

“She always knew where I was going to be and I knew where she was, so we fed off each other really well,” Kileigh said. “I loved playing with her.”

On Assumption non-game days or after practice, Kileigh and some of her teammates will travel the mile or so to WPI to watch Shannon and her team. Shannon and the Engineers reciprocate the support.

“It’s fun,” Kileigh said. “We get to see each other a ton.”

Shannon is happy to have her sister close by again. The Hynes’ parents, Susan and Kenneth, are at every game. Youngest sister Erin, a junior at Auburn High and an aspiring pastry chef, brings the postgame tailgate treats. Word is her apple cupcakes are delicious.

“They’re a wonderful family,” said WPI coach Lisa Moreau, who tried to recruit Kileigh. “They’re very supportive of our program.”

Shannon, who was a T&G Hometeam Super Team selection, is a four-year starter for WPI. Last season, she earned All-NEWMAC and National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-New England East honors after leading a defense which ranked second in the conference with a 1.72 goals against average and posted four shutouts.

This year, WPI is allowing 0.44 goals per game and has held six teams scoreless.

“She’s been phenomenal for four years,” Moreau said. “She’s helped change the culture of our program through her hard work. She’s been a starter since her freshman year, and she’s been a leader since her freshman year. This year, I use her as an assistant coach on the field. She just is really good at helping others, instructing them.”

Shannon has a goal and four assists this season.

WPI won 12 games last year and played in the NEWMAC quarterfinals.

“This year we have pretty much the same team as last year with more experience,” Shannon said. “We know how each other plays. That’s been a key factor. We’re very close as a team and I think that shows.”

Like Assumption in its game against NE-10 foe Bentley on Tuesday, WPI will get into the heart of its conference schedule when it hosts Springfield Saturday morning.

—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenTandG.