JVF Dragons make history at RCC National Tournament

GREENWICH, Conn. — The James Vick Foundation Dragons entered this weekend’s USA Field Hockey Regional Club Championship Series (RCC) as pioneers as the first-ever 501(c)(3) nonprofit program to compete at the event.

They left having made history, competing with passion, toughness, and the type of competitive fire that left no doubt this team is no nolvety.

The Dragons defeated Delta Field Hockey 3–1 at Sacred Heart Greenwich, becoming the first nonprofit team to record a victory in RCC national tournament play.

Senior forward Lucy Dickenson, junior midfielder Brooke Ouellette, and senior forward Ava Raffone each scored in the landmark win, capping a breakthrough performance for a Dragons team that continues to redefine competitive access in elite youth field hockey.

Anchoring the defensive effort was JVF Dragons captain Kaitlyn Coughlin. The Senior goalie played the best field hockey of her career, both against CT Elite, and then in a potent encore against the Delta Field Hockey club. Leading the field defenders effort were Olivia Cavallaro, Larissa Martins, Lily Valentino Madison Thomas, Abby Thompson, and Lyla Patel, who consistently disrupted opposing attacks and created opportunities for the Dragons to push forward. The back line’s composure and cohesion were instrumental in limiting both offenses faced during tournament play.

This weekend also marked an emotional sendoff for the Dragons’ graduating seniors: Izzy Ash, Izzy Lee, Jillian Lydon, Kaitlyn Coughlin, Ava Raffone, Bella Raffone, Giada Broccoli, and Lucy Dickenson — a core group whose leadership helped propel the program to new heights, and now sets the table for a dynamic farm system that is coming of age.

Founded to provide athletic opportunities free of cost, the James Vick Foundation has quickly emerged as one of the sport’s most disruptive forces. This weekend’s performance at RCC marks another significant milestone in the program’s remarkable rise.