Field Hockey | 11/13/2026 10:01:33 AM
Peyton DeMaio recently wrapped up her junior season as a member of the Elmira field hockey team. DeMaio, a defender, has started 44 games for the Soaring Eagles and was a 2026 Empire 8 All-Conference third team selection.
What Drives Me - Peyton DeMaio
Hometown/High School: Weedsport, NY/Weedsport
Class Year: Junior
Insitution: Elmira College
Sport: Field Hockey
Major: Early Childhood Education
GPA: 3.056
What is your most memorable collegiate athletics moment?
My most memorable Collegiate Athletics moment is the team's first win during my career. We won in double overtie 3-2 and it was the most rewarding moment not only for me, but the whole team. It showed our improvement and made us want to work towards feeling that way even more.
What motivates you to keep pushing yourself as an athlete?
I'm motivated by the goals I have set for myself and the desire to make myself, and the people who support me, proud. I want to look back and know that I gave everything I had, took advantage of every opportunity and never let a challenge stop me from reaching my potential. My mom us my biggest motivator. She is always supporting me at every game and is my biggest cheerleader.
What gets you excited to show up to practice every day?
Seeing my teammates and getting to play my favorite sport gets me excited to show up to practice every day. I also like seeing how much the team improves on a day-to-day basis. I enjoy the little moments that my team shares on the giedl when we are having fun, laughing and pushing each other to our full potential.
When you're having a difficult day, what keeps you going?
When I am having a difficult day, I think about the people who support me and cheer for me. I like to remind myself that one bad day, practice or game does not define the player that I am. My teammates keep me going because I know that I am probably not the only person on the team who had a bad day and we are all going through this together.
What makes all the time and effort you put into your sport worth it?
What makes all the time and effort I put into my sport worth it is all the memories, friendships and experiences that I have gained while playing. It's knowing that all the hard practices and challenges help our team grow both as a team and as individuals. Seeing how our team has grown over the past three years have been the most rewarding thing.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me means that I gave my best effort and never gave up, even when things got hard. It isn't always about winning or being the best athlete, it's about improving and making my teammates and coaches proud.
What is your favorite aspect of being a student-athlete/favorite most rewarding aspect of college life?
My favorite part of being a student-athlete is the friendships and connections that I have made while playing field hockey. I get to do something I love with some of my favorite people. It is rewarding to see myself grow, both on and off field field, while making memories that I will carry on long after I graduate.
What are you working toward right now?
Right now, I am working toward becoming the best version of myself both as a player and in the real world. I'm focused on improving as a field hockey playerm succeeding in my classes, building relationships and preparing myself for my future career as an educator. I want to make the most of my college experience and be proud of everything I accomplish along the way.
Career goals after college?
My career goals after college are to teach elememtary school, preferably kindergarten, and make field hockey more available to younger players, like coaching an elementary level team.
Empire 8 Quick Hits
Pregame ritual: Dancing and singing in the locker room with my team and hanging out with the trainers/coaches before we walk onto the field
Song that gets you hyped before a game: Hot Wings - Rio
Favorite sports movie (or movie in general): Marlie and Me or Miracle on Ice
Favorite professional athlete: Phia Gladieux - USA Olympic Field Hockey Player
Favorite professional sports team: New York Yankees
Favorite meal: Steak and pasta
Biggest sport "ick" or pet peeve: Playing with your mouthguard and talking back to the refs
What is your most unpopular opinion about your sport: Not every loss is a bad game and not every win is a good game
Guilty pleasure: Tiger balm