Back in the 1960’s the Walpole girls field hockey team was known as the Hilltoppers, but at a field hockey camp that all changed. When the girls were running around, hunched over and fighting for possession of the ball they resembled pigs rooting around in the mud looking for food, so they called the team Porkers. After a successful season with the name Porkers, the team decided it was a good idea to keep it.The girls still show Porker pride every time they take the field. Now fifty years later the Porkers are starting their new 2013 fall season they hope to bring back another state title to their collection.

Last season, the team had a record of 22-1-0. So far this season, the record is 3-0. During the 2012 season the Porkers won the Bay State League along with the South Sectional Title, even though they had one loss in the North/South game to Acton Boxboro. The Porkers are being led by their Head Coach Marianne Murphy and the senior Captains Ashley Waldron, Caroline Feeley, and Brooke Matherson. The Porkers hope to become familiar with the new players and learn their positions for the 2013 season. The team has a few players moving up from the Jv team up to varsity to cover the loss of  12 seniors of whom seven were starters. Two of these up and coming players are freshmen, Melanie Weber and Taylor Matherson. Weber is going to replace one of the seven starters that the team lost last year.

So far this season there have been three non-league games added to the schedule, Coach Murphy said, “these games will help prepare us for postseason play”. The teams biggest threats are Hopedale, Beverly and Franklin, since these teams are at the top of their respective leagues. The team hopes to be able to play on deep into the postseason and be able to play in the State Championship. In order for the girls to win the State Championship the girls have to have certain qualities. Coach Murphy said “determination, drive and competitiveness will take teams far and we believe this team has these qualities”. With these qualities the team can lead themselves to victory and a successful post-season.  With over nine state titles the Porkers hope to bring back another for Walpole.