Field hockey Q&A with Massapequa's Mackenzie Conkling

Mackenzie Conkling is a junior midfielder on the Massapequa field hockey team. She said she has been playing field hockey since attending a camp in fifth grade. Since then, she has become a valuable two-way player for the Chiefs. When she's not on the field, Conkling, 16, enjoys playing the bass, an instrument she picked up around fourth grade, and keeping up with the Netherlands National soccer team. Conkling is a triplet with sister Courtney and brother Matthew. She and the Nassau Class A champion Chiefs play Ward Melville for the Long Island Class A crown Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Dowling Athletic Complex.

Q: What is your role on this team?

A: I feel like as a midfielder I kind of transition the ball between defense an offense and contribute to saving goals, but also scoring goals. Personally, I feel like I keep the team focused on the games while keeping it fun at practice.

Q: You cover the left side of the field, why is that difficult?

A: On the right side of the field, they're on the other team's weak side while l I'm dribbling against the strong side of the stick so it's easier for them to take the ball away from me. You have to see where they are and dodge to their weak side.

Q: How do you evaluate Massapequa's season so far?

A: We didn't do as well as we did last year and I feel since we lost key players we were kind of adjusting at first, but as the season went on we got stronger, especially in the playoffs.

Q: What was your first job?

A: Right now I'm a cashier at Waldbaums. I like it, but they're closing in two weeks so it's not going to last very long, I guess. For a while I'm probably just going to focus on school and field hockey and music.

Q: Who is your favorite musical artist?

A: That's kind of a tough question. I like country music, but I also like rap music…Josh Turner, I went to his concert over the summer in Westbury and that was good.

Q: What did you dress up as for Halloween?

A: Buzz Lightyear. Lindsey Reynolds, who's on the field hockey team with me, was Woody.