Michela Brown-Mayfield was voted Suffolk News-Herald Player of the Week after scoring two goals in a Lakeland High School field hockey win over Indian River High School.

The Lady Cavs field hockey team has gotten off to a strong start this season. They have been in some close battles with some good teams and have defeated some of those good teams as well. Brown-Mayfield has played a big role in the success the Lady Cavs have been able to have this early part of the season. Last week, Lakeland picked up a 5-1 win over Indian River. During the game, Brown-Mayfield led the team in scoring with two goals.

“I feel like we all played a good game, and we played as hard as we could,” Brown-Mayfield said. “I did my part to make sure things happened with all the opportunities I had on the field. There were some things I could have fixed, but I just kept playing to best of my ability.”

Brown-Mayfield is a junior on the team and is looked at as one of the leaders. She is one of the very few returners from a team that went to the Class 3 state tournament last season. With so many contributors having graduated from last year’s team, Brown-Mayfield saw an opportunity for her to raise her game to the next level, as she knew the Lady Cavs needed it for this season.

“I just wanted to take this opportunity to be a leader and set an example.” She said. “I just want to play my role and make sure I’m at my best for my teammates.”

Brown-Mayfield normally gets into her zone for the game after she and her teammates do their pre-game chant. Her teammates inspire her. Most of her teammates have been playing field hockey their whole lives, but she didn’t get started until seventh grade. She learns from her teammates daily, which in turn helps her be successful — that, along with hearing her mother screaming for her in the stands, motivates her during the game.

The junior Lady Cav believes that this young Lakeland team has a lot of potential. After a state tournament appearance last season, she hopes for a chance to get back there again this season.

Brown-Mayfield is never satisfied, so she wants to make sure she keeps progressing throughout the season. She credits her coach, Jamee Albright, a former Lakeland standout, for always pushing her.

“There is a lot left I need to work on, and I feel like as the season goes on, I’ll continue to get better,” she said. “I’m glad to have Jamee as my coach. She pushes me and helps me with everything I need and never expects less of me.”

The Lady Cavs will be back in action Monday afternoon when they go on the road to take Southampton High School.