When Huron graduate Kit Masini joined Brown University’s women's field hockey, she was primed for instant success. Twice a first-team All-State selection, and three times a participant in USA Field Hockey’s National Futures Tournament, her accolades were impressive.

But Masini struggled. Transitioning to the college game proved no easy task, and Masini’s playing time was sparse. Following her freshman season, however, she worked hard, determined to realize her potential.

The work is starting to pay off. Masini, now a sophomore, was named to the Ivy League field hockey honor roll last week after registering at least one point in each of the Bears’ first four games this season.Despite not seeing much playing time as a freshman, Masini has quickly elevated from her reserve role to that of her team’s leading point scorer with four goals and two assists (10 points) so far this season.

“Kit is probably one of the hardest working young women we have had in our program,” said Brown coach Tara Harrington. “Though she didn’t see the playing field much as a first year player, mentally, she was in every practice and in every game, and truly was a sponge trying to absorb everything and came back this fall ready to contribute.

“She is the epitome of what it is to be a hard worker.”

Masini attributes her recent success to a multitude of factors.

“I think it was a combination of things, the transition to playing college field hockey, working hard in the offseason, I think I improved a lot then, and it was also kind of a confidence thing,” she said.

Masini hopes her team can continue their success Saturday when the Bears take on Dartmouth. Kit’s younger sister, Lisa Masini, is a freshman midfielder for the Big Green.

“That’ll be exciting. I’ve always played with her, it’ll definitely be strange to be on the other side of the field, but it should be fun.”

OTHER NOTES

• Huron graduate Ali Oatley, a forward on Albion College’s women’s soccer team, was named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s offensive player of the week last week after scoring and assisting on game winning goals in two overtime wins. Oatley, a senior, is the Britons’ leading scorer with two goals and two assists this season.

• Huron graduate Deion Pruitt, a freshman at Albion College, was the men’s cross country team’s top finisher (fifth overall) at an 8K race in Delaware, OH.

• Pioneer graduate Julie Cantelon, a freshman on Dennison University’s women’s cross country team, placed 15th out of 181 runners this weekend at the Cedarville University Friendship Invitational.

• After redshirting his freshman year, Manchester graduate James Hughes has burst on to the scene for the Eastern Michigan University men’s cross country team, placing 12th, and fifth at the Eagles’ first two Invitationals of the season.

• Pioneer graduate Lauren Metzger has been leading the pack for the Kenyon College women’s cross country team so far this season. Metzger, a junior, has been her team’s top finisher at each of their last two races.

• Pioneer graduate Sarah Drake scored two goals, including the game winner, for the University of Iowa women’s field hockey team in a recent 12-0 victory over St. Louis. Drake, a freshman, is the Hawkeyes’ co-leader in scoring with six goals and an assist (13 points) so far this season.

• Gabriel Richard graduate Kristen Concalves, scored the University of Michigan women's soccer team’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Southern Cal.

If you have information to share on other local athletes who have gone on to participate in college athletics, please send an e-mail to petercunningham@annarbor.com, or call 734-623-2561. Follow Pete Cunningham on Twitter @petcunningham.