Libby Flaisher ‘25
Charly Bruder ‘23 started playing field hockey in sixth grade to fulfill EA’s sports requirement but ultimately discovered an immense love and passion for the game. This led to her playing on the varsity team for all four years of high school and committing to playing for the University of North Carolina team. Whether she is wearing the EA, WC Eagle, or US National Team uniform, Bruder exudes confidence and encouragement on the field.
Bruder uses her position of center midfielder to lead on the field, explaining that “I can pass and connect with teammates both in front of me and behind me. I get to communicate with everyone, and I’m in the middle of the action all the time.” Her presence on the field enhances her skills. She explains, “I’m a pretty loud and aggressive player, so you’ll see me all around the ball.”
In his first year as head coach, Paul Zelenak praises Bruder’s abilities, saying, “She [is] a very explosive athlete. She separated herself immediately with her athleticism overall. But as a field hockey player, Charly is highly skilled and ball-dominant. She’s confident and comfortable while utilizing her toolbox of shooting skills. She doesn’t doubt herself.”
Photo courtesy of Charly Bruder ’23
Bruder describes the EA field hockey team as a sisterhood, of which she is one of the captains. Caroline Powell ‘25 remarks that Bruder contributes to the team by “talking a lot on the field and always being positive. She is always pushing everyone to elevate their game.” Zelenak adds, “Charly exemplifies what it means to be an Episcopal field hockey player. She leads by example on the field with her intensity while competing for the full four quarters. Her younger teammates see her determination and her high-level abilities, which gives them confidence knowing that they’re playing on the same field as that type of athlete.”
Reflecting on her goals for the season, Bruder comments, “We could definitely go to the PAISAA championship this year, and if we do make that it will most likely be against the Hill School… and give [them] another run for their money.” Zelenak knows that Charly will play a huge role when the time comes to compete for the InterAc title. He notes that when the team played competitive opponents from Virginia and New Jersey, “Charly helped us assert ourselves on the offensive end of the field and compete with very high-level opponents. In the second game, she scored two goals in the last five minutes. I can trust her on the field.”
Bruder plans to receive her high school diploma in December, and afterward, she will leave for Chapel Hill, North Carolina to be a student-athlete for the second semester at UNC. She reflects that “I never thought I would go to UNC. I actually wanted to go to Duke, but once I visited UNC, I instantly fell in love.”
Bruder looks forward to beginning her college career, especially with her former teammate, Ashley Sessa ‘22. Bruder says, “She’s one of my best friends, and we’ve played together for my entire high school career, so I’m excited to play with her again and hopefully win a national championship. But I’ll definitely be back in the spring for graduation to walk.” Coach Zelenak has no doubts that Bruder will be “given an opportunity to make an impact right away at UNC. She by no means is going to limit herself out there.”