NEWBURYPORT — The seniors on the Newburyport field hockey team appear to be reaping the rewards of good fortune, and their current success is not exclusively attributed to helping hands and thoughtful gestures.

The Clippers have earned their record of 4-2-2, and no one knows this better than second-year coach Lauren Hefferan, who explains that two shining staples of team play — determination and skill — have helped them reach the next peg on the ladder.

"These girls have played indoor, outdoor, year-round, and since I joined this program three years ago (initially as a junior varsity coach), the foursome of Callie Hefferan (daughter), Trisha Grasso, Nicole Thurlow and Taylor Damon has put more time into the sport than anyone else on the team.

"I'm fortunate to have this many girls who want to do so well and do everything in their power to excel in the sport," coach Hefferan said. "They put it upon themselves to train and improve. They're absolutely leading by example."

This group of girls all started to play field hockey within mere months of one another, and three of them at the same time.

"Lauren introduced the sport to us, and not long after that we were all playing for the high school," said Grasso, a senior/captain midfielder. "We all really liked the game, so we started to play year-round."

The four girls have made the sport a year-round obligation since they were sophomores. The girls have been involved with club teams like the Cape Ann Coalition and Seacoast United (which have brought Thurlow and Hefferan to Palm Springs, Calif., for the National Field Hockey Festival), went to camps at schools like Bentley College, Northeastern University, and the Governor's Academy, and qualified for the USA Field Hockey Futures Program, which evaluates and identifies talented young athletes with the potential to become future Olympic participants.

"The girls that I'm with right now have been playing together for so long, and we're a more united team than we've ever been," said Hefferan, a senior/captain middle/forward. "We all get along so well. We're a better team because of our strong friendships."

The unity that the team shares runs deep — pasta parties and friendships that transcend the field can hopefully become an enduring tradition, Damon said.

"I think the girls look up to us, and I hope we can serve as an inspiration for them," said Damon, a senior/captain defender. "It would be great if we could instill a sense of pride and dedication in them so they can further along Newburyport High field hockey."

The team, of course, isn't just a handful of strong-minded seniors, but in fact a collaboration of girls who are all working together and finding a way to win.

"I think they're all more relaxed and confident with their skills this season, and we have a nice handful of talented sophomores and juniors who are stepping up," coach Hefferan said. "I believe it's because they witnessed the caliber the seniors have been showing and have wanted to emulate that.

"In turn, the underclassmen want to help the older kids to reach their goal of a state tournament spot."

Girls like Najah Ali, Haley Morris, Leah Svoboda, Haley Johnson, Gabby Quarantiello, Rachel Notargiacomo, and Taylor Purcell are just a few names that will help the Clippers attain the one goal that has eluded this group of seniors since joining the varsity ranks: a state tournament bid.

"We just want it so bad. Since we've been a team, we haven't been able to make the tournament," said Thurlow, a senior midfielder. "That's what we want the most and that's why we put so much time and effort into getting ready for the season."

Coined by Grasso as a team made up of determination, intensity and togetherness, the Clippers need 19 points to make the postseason. With the year nearly halfway through, Newburyport — a team that missed the states by a point last year — already has 10.

"This year, it's been more of a team uniting than winning," Callie Hefferan said. "For the three years that I've played on varsity, this has easily been our best year."

Regardless if the Clippers make the playoffs or not, coach Hefferan was clear in admitting that this year's team seems special.

"All the seniors have been so dedicated," coach Hefferan said. "And I'm not sure I'll ever get another team of seniors like this again. They truly love playing field hockey."

The Fearsome Foursome

Four seniors have Newburyport on pace to qualify for its first state tournament in five seasons. Meet the seniors in the words of coach Lauren Hefferan.

Name: Callie Hefferan

Position: Midfield/Forward

In coach's words: "She's an in-betweener. She brings the ball up and finds snipers like Ashley Karelis and Cassandra Davis.

Name: Trisha Grasso

Position: Midfield

In coach's words: "She has improved the most this season thanks to her great defensive play."

Name: Taylor Damon

Position: Defense

In coach's words: "She is a tenacious player who you can count on to get the ball out of the defensive circle and send up to the midfield."

Name: Nicole Thurlow

Position: Midfield

In coach's words: "She's an ever-ready bunny, a player you don't want to go against because she's always chasing the ball."