Masten Headed to Towson

By Kevin Eickman

Bailey Masten is heading to Towson

Choosing the right college is never easy, and Milford senior Bailey Masten had the additional pressure of wanting to play field hockey at a high level.

After weighing her options, the Milford captain and two-time All-State selection as a midfielder, the choice surprised her a bit.

“I had a lot of options, and I really wasn’t looking that hard at Towson University,” she said. “However, I took a visit there and absolutely fell in love with the school. The coaches were great and had a very positive and open conversation with me. As I looked around, I knew that was the place I wanted to be.” Masten said.

Asked about being selected two-time All-State, Masten hesitated a bit before answering.

“It really is a great honor and I’m proud of it,” she said. “But [the selection] is also a tribute to my teammates and coaches. They continually put me in a position to succeed, I look at it as if all of them were named along with me.”

Reflecting on the Milford program, Master said, “The coaches are fantastic here. They will work as hard as they can to make you a better player. There are no favorites either, If you’re good enough, you can come in here and play as an eighth grader. Not many programs allow you to do that.”

Her parents, Rob and Lisa, have also been a huge part of Masten’s rise as a player “They have been at every game without fail. They would take time off work, rearrange their schedules, whatever it took to make it to make games. I love them very much for all the guidance they have given me, I honestly don’t know where I would be without them.”

The one thing Masten will miss the most is the friendships she has developed both on and off the team.

“We are very close at Milford,” she said. “It’s not just about playing field hockey and sports. It’s about caring for each other and spending time together. College is a big place. It’s going to be a challenge. While I will make new friends, it’s not going to be like Milford where everybody knows and cares about each other, I’m really going to miss that.”

Masten also plays lacrosse and is on The Unified basketball team, which she really enjoys.

“It is so much fun to be a part of that group,” she said. “I can’t believe how rewarding it is for everyone involved. You could be having the worst of days and if we are practicing or playing we all get a big smile on our face, you just can’t help but love it.”

Milford field hockey coach Andrea McPike said Masten’s drive and commitment separates her from other players.

“From the minute she steps on the field, until the minute she steps off, she is in go mode,” McPike said. “She is extremely tough both physically and mentally. She does not let things get to her. At the same time, she just works very hard and makes sure her teammates are on point as well. She is a fantastic leader and ready for the next level.”