“Hockey is one of the most dangerous sports you could play,” Liberty freshman Darby Marshall said. 

But she loves it more than anything. 

“I grew up around hockey and started playing when I was about three or four years old,” Marshall said. “But when I moved to Washington, that’s when my love for hockey started really growing.”

Marshall’s love only increases as she racks up victories and improves her skills.

“Last year, my team won the USA Hockey Pacific Districts Tournament, so we got to go to nationals. We’re hoping to pull that off again and go to nationals this year too,” Marshall said.

Winning isn’t all that Marshall has learned to do during her time playing. 

“You have to learn to trust your teammates,” Marshall said. “You’re on a very thin piece of metal, skating around ten other people, and whacking around a little rubber puck.” 

Trust is the foundation of every team that Marshall has played on, and that’s only propelled her love of the game and its excitement. 

“Hockey can be terrifying, but it’s really fun. The adrenaline creates this amazing rush, and you just have to let the game happen,” Marshall said. “If you lose, you lose; if you win, you win.” 

It hasn’t been easy for Marshall to play in a male-dominated sport though. With only six girls’ teams in her association, Marshall started out on a boys’ team that raised unique challenges.

“I had to work harder to keep up with guys who were naturally stronger and taller, and they can be selfish,” Marshall said. “When I played on an all-boys team as the only girl, I didn’t get many points that season, but it forced me to play harder the next season.” 

New challenges came about when Marshall transitioned to an all-girls team two years ago, but she’s adjusted quickly to the new dynamic.

“Girls’ hockey is extremely physical but less so than boys’, so I had to adjust to the new pace,” Marshall said. “I’m grateful for my experience in boys’ hockey, but I love my teammates. I feel like I can trust them more, and it’s comforting to play with people I have a lot in common with.”

Now, as a role model for her team, a strong player, and an optimistic Liberty student, Marshall has high hopes and goals for her future in hockey. 

“I’m hoping to go to a hockey academy or go to a U18 USA National Hockey camp, but ultimately I want to play Division 1 college hockey in the NCAA for Wisconsin,” Marshall said. “My biggest goal that I’m shooting for is making it to the 2026 or 2030 Olympics.”

Marshall hopes to inspire other girls to pick up a stick and try out hockey. That’s how she discovered her passion, and she’s grateful to do what she loves.

“You should always do what you love to do. I love hockey, I love playing on a team, and I’ll continue shooting for my goals,” Marshall said.