Wednesday, September 4, 2013

2013 Field Hockey Preview: Hunterdon-Warren

Belvidere County Seaters

Coach: Kristin Gaitan (fifth season, 49-25-3)

2012 record: 9-7-1, 5-4 (third place Skyland Conference Valley Division)

Key returnees: F Erin Sassaman (5 goals), jr.; MF Meghan Laubach, sr.; MF Kaitlyn Robinson, sr.

Key losses: F Nicole DeHerde (8 goals, 8 assists); F Alexa Beaumont (7 goals); D Kristen Ostrzyzek; F Alison Bancroft; MF Sarah Edmiston; GK Amanda Fisher.

Top newcomers: GK Maddie Beaumont, so.

Outlook: After a 15-win season in 2011, the County Seaters finished above the .500 mark last season despite being hit hard by graduation. The losses of DeHerde and Beaumont make this year's offense a huge question mark, along with the loss of Fisher, who started all 17 games in the cage last season and posted five shutouts. Ironically, it was the same situation as last year for the Seaters, who lost their top scorer and goalie. In 2012, they were shut out on five occasions and scored a total of 30 goals. Needless to say, putting the ball in the cage will be key to this team's success.

Delaware Valley Terriers

Coach: Stephanie Cirino (third season, 12-20-2)

2012 record: 6-10-1, 2-7-1 (fifth place Skyland Conference Raritan Division)

Key returnees: D-MF Kristen Brokaw, sr.; F-MF Caroline Vath (5 goals), jr.; MF-D Alyssa Orrico, jr.; D Brianna Skripko, jr.; F Robyn Case, sr.; F Danielle Geoffroy, sr.; F Tess Apgar, sr.; MF Tina Crotty, jr.

Key losses: MF Olivia Brogan; D Caitlin Slusser; D Sawyer Warzybuk; GK Jackie Compta.

Top newcomers: F-MF Emily Affeld, so.

Outlook: Terriers have finished 6-10-1 the last three seasons, so needless to say, third-year coach Cirino is looking to get over that hump this season. Brokaw and Crotty are the team leaders and will anchor the defensive and offensive units, respectively. As has been the case in previous years, scoring goals will be the primary issue. Outside of Vath, no returning player has scored more than three goals in a season. Del Val also will have a new starting goalie with the loss of Compta. Playing in a rugged division leaves little margin for error, as the Terriers dropped from four division wins to two a year ago.

Hackettstown Tigers

Coach: Stephen Speirs (fourth season, 23-30-2)

2012 record: 9-9-1, 8-6 (fifth place NJAC Freedom Division)

Key returnees: MF Nicole Andes, sr.; F Sierramarie Fitzgerald, sr.; F Michelle Carlson, sr.; F Kelly Healy, jr.; MF Nicole Felicetti, sr.; D Marissa Siconolfi, jr.; D Allana Fitzgerald, jr.; D Michaela Sass, so.; F Samantha Strathern, so.

Key losses: D Julia Derco; F Stefania Swider; GK Jessia Huffman.

Top newcomers: GK Rose Bishop, so.; MF Kaitlyn Keiser, jr.; F Erica Salus, jr.

Outlook: Tigers are still looking to get above the .500 mark for the first time since 2009, but last season was a major step toward that goal. The loss of leading scorer Swider (12 goals) hurt, but Andes (team-high seven assists) and S. Fitzgerald (four goals) will look to pick up the slack. Continuity will also help as six seniors -- forward and midfield lines - on this year's squad have played together for three seasons. The defense also should be solid, though Bishop is untested in the cage on the varsity level.

Hunterdon Central Red Devils

Coach: Jenn Sponzo (15th season, 190-101-16)

2012 record: 13-9, 7-5 (third place Skyland Conference Delaware Division)

Key returnees: MF Allison Baligian (5 goals, 6 assists), sr.; F Taylor Barrett (5 assists), jr.; F Kendall Nickel (16 goals, 6 assists), jr.; MF Jane Higley, sr.; D Annie Hosler, sr.; MF Morgan Lojek, sr.; D Hailey Kohler, sr.; F Sarah Pulkowski (5 goals), sr.; F-MF Kailey Delgauer, jr.

Key losses: F Nicole Barrett (11 goals, 10 assists); F Carissa Benedickson (7 goals); MF Chloe Maurice; D Emily Grube; GK Fran Orella (8 shutouts).

Top newcomers: D Erin Vecchio, jr.; F Breanna Semanchik, jr.; GK Hannah Cecchini, jr; MF-D Emily Moore, jr.

Outlook: A year removed from capturing the North 2, Group 4 sectional championship (its sixth under Sponzo who is the school's all-time coaching wins leader) the Red Devils are back among the area's elite. This year's squad should challenge for another sectional title as state power Bridgewater-Raritan is back in North 1. Offensively, Central has gone from 11 goals in 2010 to 48 in '11 to 51 in '12. The loss of Nicole Barrett to graduation hurts, but Baligian and Nickel are potent scorers as is Taylor Barrett, who missed a majority of last season with a broken hand. Defense is usually the team's strength but the losses of Maurice, one of the top players in West Jersey, and Orella will be felt.

North Hunterdon Lions

Coach: Suzanne Toke (first season).

2012 record: 0-17-1, 0-12 (seventh place Skyland Conference Delaware Division)

Key returnees: F Madison Martino, sr.; MF-D Amanda Lambert, sr.; MF Emily Baldwin, sr.; MF Grace Plassche, jr.; F Jamie Ruggiero, jr.; F-MF Caroline Coleman, jr.

Key losses: F Keaton Gray; MF Sophia Latriano; D Isabella Desmaris; GK Bridget Walsh.

Top newcomers: F Molly Walsh, jr.; D Sarah VanDuynhoven, jr. D Alyssa Bennett, jr.

Outlook: After a winless campaign in 2012, there's nowhere to go but up for the Lions and new coach Toke, who inherits a program that's fallen on hard times and went 34-75-3 the last five seasons, including a a state playoff appearance in 2010. This will certainly be a rebuilding project, though Walsh, Ruggiero, Lambert and Baldwin are players to build around. Scoring goals will be key to a turnaround as last year's squad produced just seven in 18 games, scoring against just three opponents. Ruggiero was the leading scorer with three goals. The Lions also will have a new goalie, so keeping the heat off the cage also will be critical to any success.

North Warren Patriots

Coach: Laura Kasa (fourth season, 8-47-1)

2012 record: 3-16, 2-12 (seventh place NJAC Freedom Division)

Key returnees: F Jessica Towey (6 goals), jr.; D Kathleen Wadiak, sr.; F Rebecca Hendershot, sr.; MF Laura Gessler, sr.; F Megan Stevens, jr.; MF Laine Ivey, jr.;

Key losses: F Kayla Devaney.

Top newcomers: GK Ariana Kampfe, so.; MF Gianna Lorusso, so.; MF Kelsey Conlon, so.; MF Lauren Miano, sr.

Outlook: After a winless season in 2010, the Patriots rebounded with five wins in '11, before taking a slight step back a year ago. Towey, a three-year starter who has had back-to-back six-goal seasons, will be counted on again to lead an offense that produced just 16 goals last season, along with Stevens. Wadiak will anchor the defense, which has a new goalie in Kampfe. Hendershot donned the pads a year ago, but has shifted back to the forward line where she played two years ago. Kasa is excited for the season, so look for the Pats to improve on last year's win total.

Phillipsburg Stateliners

Coach: Jennifer Paulus (third season, 20-21)

2012 record: 10-10, 4-6 (fourth place Skyland Conference Raritan Division)

Key returnees: F Marissa Perino, sr.; F Kylie Marhold, so.; MF Gabby Jackson, sr.; F Janelle Jackson, sr.; MF Emily DiMarco, jr.; D Lacey O'Dowd, so.; D Sarah Grimm, sr.

Key losses: F Katie Decker; MF Molly Zgoda; GK Brittany Lavin; F Clare Smith; MF Mariya Saydek; D Allyson Butler; D Renee Custodio; MF Gabby Morena; F Katy Frey.

Top newcomers: GK Rachael Horun, jr.; F-MF Ellie Zgoda, so.; MF Viktoria Schultz, jr.; F-MF Kerianne Vianden, jr.

Outlook: Stateliners were hit hit hard by graduation -- the biggest losses were Decker (7 goals), Zgoda (10 assists), Lavin (8 shutouts) and defensive leader Custodio. Replacing Lavin (four-year starter in the cage) will be the biggest challenge, but this group has talent. Marhold and Perino will be expected to pick up the slack on offense, which was inconsistent last year as the 'Liners scored a total of eight goals in their final nine games and were blanked in the North 1, Group 4 loss to Ridge, a team that P'burg beat, 2-1, earlier in the season. DiMarco is a solid player and has big shoes to fill in the midfield, according to Paulus with the loss of M. Zgoda. This team could surprise if it can be consistent on both ends of the field.

Voorhees Vikings

Coach: Taylor Webb (third season, 27-9-1)

2012 record: 13-5-1, 6-3-1 (third place Skyland Conference Raritan Division)

Key returnees: MF Tori Crans, sr.; F Ashley Kerekgyarto (5 goals), sr.; D Alex Barish, sr.; MF Hannah Ryan, jr.; F Kathryn Roncoroni, so; GK Lauren Pianucci, jr.; GK Kathryn Boyce, sr.; F Abby Flagler, jr.; D Maggie Freibergs, sr.; D Haley Irving, sr.; MF Emily Scheier, sr.

Key losses: D Anna McLees; F-MF Sara Diacik; D Michelle Gaykowski; F Rachel Lewis; D Angie D'Armiento; F Kelsey Fischer.

Top newcomers: Fr. Hannah Schiavo, fr.

Outlook: Vikings captured the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex title last season and made a run to the North 1, Group 2 semifinals, despite a third-place finish in a very tough division. Biggest win was a 2-0 blanking of archrival Warren Hills, the Group 3 runner-up which had beaten Voorhees in two regular season meetings. Roncoroni burst onto the scene last year and will anchor the offense with Kerekgyarto. Crans is a solid midfielder, while Barish and Scheier are strong defenders in a program that's known for playing tough defense. Warren Hills and West Essex were the only opponents to score more than two goals against this group last year. Pianucci and Boyce are an excellent combo in the cage, an area in which most locals lack experience. Annually one of the top programs in New Jersey and extremely well coached, expect the Vikes to contend for championships this fall, though the move to North 1, Group 2 where West Essex resides, makes the postseason goals a lot tougher.

Warren Hills Blue Streaks

Coach: Laurie Kerr (14th season, 219-63-11)

2012 record: 22-3, 10-0 (first place Skyland Conference Raritan Division)

Key returnees: MF Nikki Schott (5 goals, 6 assists), sr.; F Sydney Muntone (19 goals, 13 assists), jr.; F Nikki Profita (19 goals, 15 assists), jr.; F Jessica Nissen (16 goals, 8 assists), jr.; D Amanda Crampton, jr.; F Shannon Zignoli (5 goals), sr; D Melanie Loth, sr; D Allie Brouhard, jr.

Key losses: MF Niki Miller (25 goals, 29 assists); GK Katie Wintersteen (13 shutouts).

Top newcomers: F Dani Profita, fr.; GK Kylie Guidi, jr.; GK Emma Frost, jr.; GK Taylor Austin, so.

Outlook: Blue Streaks, annually in the championship discussion, are coming off their second straight division title and a run to Group 3 state title game. Normally, the huge loss of a prolific player and scorer like Niki Miller (now playing at UMass) would force a team to take a step back, but this year's squad is once again loaded with talent. The forward line is brimming with star players, as Muntone and N. Profita combined for 38 goals a year ago. Nissen also chipped in with 16. As if dealing with one Profita was tough enough, wait until opponents get a look at Dani, a star in the making as a freshman, who Kerr deems "a difference maker." Captain Nikki Schott is an exceptional distributor, though her assist totals have dropped each year from a career-high 16 in 2010. If there's one question mark it's at goalie with the graduation of Wintersteen, a four-year starter. Crampton and Loth are two of the top backs in the area.

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