Written by Lauren Roth
Emilee Wooten has been a member of the Roanoke College field hockey team since 2017, and in her four years she has developed into one of the best players in program history.
Since Wooten’s freshman year, she has played and started all her games. During her freshman year, she finished the season with 16 goals, ranking her the fourth-best in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. She was named to the All-ODAC second team after earning 38 points that fall. Her sophomore year brought her to the top five in the ODAC for goals once again and ranked fourth in the conference with 32 total points. This time around, she was given the honor of being named to the All-ODAC first team. Wooten’s third year brought her to success once again, when her 18 goals for the Maroons brought her to third place in the ODAC. She was second in the ODAC with 49 total points and third in the ODAC with five game-winning goals. She received the recognition once again of All-ODAC first team, in addition to being named to the All-Region second-team.
In the spring of 2021, Wooten started and played in all 9 games in an abbreviated schedule due to COVID-19. She tied for seventh in the conference with her 6 goals. At the beginning of the season, Emilee Wooten broke the Roanoke College career points record, previously held by Shelbi Holloman. Shelbi broke the record in 66 games, while Wooten broke the record in 57 games. She finished the season once again on the All-ODAC first-team and VASID All-State first-team.
Wooten returned to Roanoke College and the field hockey program for a fifth year this fall. In her third game of the season, Emilee Wooten scored the opening goal against Southern Virginia University. With that goal, Emilee Wooten became Roanoke’s all-time leader in goals. Last season, Wooten became the all-time leader in total points and the career leader in assists. Emilee Wooten, in the 66th game of her collegiate career, broke every single offensive record in the Roanoke College field hockey program. She also reached each record in fewer games than every other previous record holder.
Emilee began playing field hockey at 14 years old and committed to Roanoke in the fall of her senior year. When she arrived at Roanoke, Wooten found out she was starting during the lineup of her first game. She didn’t realize she could break any of the records until her junior year.
Most importantly, Wooten recognizes the impact that many individuals had in her field hockey career. Wooten gives special recognition to, “…my parents, who supported me by coming to almost every single game and always encouraging me to be the best athlete I can be. My sisters and family members also supported me in numerous ways and were my biggest fans every step of the way. My coaches, who pushed me to be a better player and person every single day and to never be satisfied with my play. They showed me there’s always room for improvement and that every day is a day to get better. My athletic trainer, Urb, who has helped me remain a healthy collegiate athlete over the past 5 seasons. And lastly, my amazing teammates and best friends. Without them, this would never be imaginable. Every single day they push me to be a better person – on and off the field. They have been my biggest support system and I will forever be grateful for their love and support over the years.”
Emilee Wooten’s career has been marked by excellence for the past five years, but she has one final season at dear old Roanoke. Come out and support her and her teammates on Saturday, September 25th against Wilson College at 2 PM and Wednesday, September 29th at 7 PM against the University of Lynchburg.
