Few people have been front and center for the resurgence of the Northwestern Lehigh field hockey program like Brooke Page and her family.

Page’s sisters Courtney and Taylor graduated in 2017 and 2019, respectively, and both went on to successful college careers. During the time the Page sisters played in the program, the Tigers went from a team that struggled to win a few games to one that now competes for and wins titles under head coach Lissa Opolsky, who took over the program in 2014.

“When [Opolsky] first started the team was 0-18,” said Brooke Page. “There wasn’t a district championship in sight. I’ve won districts three of my four years, and now it’s a bad year if we don’t do that. She’s really helped this program and gotten it to the point where it’s at.”

Brooke Page witnessed the growth of the program while her sisters played, and she got to be a part of it as a member of the team’s starting unit the past four seasons in a few different positions.

When she joined the team, Page was a forward. She scored five goals and assisted on three during her career on the Tiger varsity team. Halfway through her high school career, a change was made that impacted not just her final two years of high school, but also her college career.

“I played forward my whole life, then recently I played midfield and defense,” Page said. “It was a big transition, but if I wouldn’t have transitioned to that spot on the field, I don’t think I’d be where I’m at now so I’m thankful for that.”

She recently signed a letter of intent to play at Division 1 Central Michigan University, where she expects to remain in the backfield.

“I never dreamed of going that far away,” Page said. “About a year ago they reached out to me, and I went there and I immediately loved the school and the coach too. She’s really great. I’m thankful because I wouldn’t have gone there without coach Opolsky. Where I’m at now is all because of her.”

Both of Page’s sisters went to Slippery Rock University, and she was looking at a lot of PSAC schools before finding Central Michigan.

“I committed last year in April. It was a relief. The whole recruiting process is long,” Page said. “To know I’m committed to the place where I belong felt really great.”

Changing positions after two varsity seasons isn’t easy, but that’s the kind of leadership her college team will benefit from over the next four years.

“Brooke was a great teammate and progressively worked to lead by example,” said Opolsky. “She worked hard to become better each time she stepped on the field. She brought a solid defensive presence to the backfield, and was an effective offensive corner shooter.

“Brooke will look forward to playing at a quicker pace and against players who come from the best programs. She will bring a willingness to learn and understand her new team’s approach to the game.”

Page plans to major in political science.