Friday, September 29, 2017

Field hockey: HWS scoring leaders

(Through Thursday's games)

Minimum 10 points

Player
School
Goals
Assists
Points
Morgan Carr
Wallkill Valley
16
1
33
Rebecca Sigman
Warren Hills
12
9
33
Cassie Boyce
Voorhees
12
7
31
Samantha Dugan
Warren Hills
12
7
31
Kayla Cichar
Hackettstown
11
3
25
Brittany Bill
Hunterdon Central
6
11
23
Erin Shaw
Voorhees
8
5
21
Katie Yarussi
Pope John
8
4
20
Ashley Zellars
Hackettstown
7
4
18
Tali Popinko
Warren Hills
7
4
18
Megan Donnelly
Delaware Valley
6
6
18
Melissa Kosar
Phillipsburg
9
0
18
Jordan Vandermark
Hackettstown
7
3
17
Laura Chen
Voorhees
7
3
17
Colleen Barrett
Hunterdon Central
7
3
17
Emily Brandt
Hunterdon Central
8
1
17
Abby Bronico
Belvidere
8
0
16
Madison Hoskins
Hackettstown
4
7
15
Brooke Hyland
Voorhees
6
3
15
Gabby Dudek
Phillipsburg
7
0
14
Morgan Mendel
Newton
5
3
13
Mikayla Dugan
Warren Hills
5
3
13
Madeline Bill
Delaware Valley
3
6
12
Megan Doyle
Hackettstown
5
2
12
Fiona Blake
Wallkill Valley
3
5
11
Victoria Docherty
Newton
4
3
11
Angie Santini
Belvidere
5
1
11
Lauren Barbato
Newton
3
4
10
Kelsey O'Connor
Delaware Valley
4
2
10
Kristen Bill
Delaware Valley
5
0
10
Cameron Sacco
Pope John
4
2
10
Kali Huck
Hunterdon Central
5
0
10
Sarah Babcock
Delaware Valley
3
4
10
Alyssa Appleby
Warren Hills
4
2
10

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Field hockey: HWS schedule for Sept. 25-30

Monday, Sept. 25


(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Pope John at Sparta, 7 p.m.

Skyland Conference

Hunterdon Central at Bridgewater-Raritan, 3:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 26


(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Wallkill Valley at Hackettstown
Kittatinny at High Point
Newton at Lenape Valley
North Warren at Vernon, 7 p.m.

Skyland Conference

Delaware Valley at Bernards
North Hunterdon at Hunterdon Central, 5:15 p.m.
Phillipsburg at Hillsborough, 6 p.m.
Mount St. Mary at South Hunterdon, 3:45 p.m.
Voorhees at Bridgewater-Raritan, 3:45 p.m.
Warren Hills at Ridge, 3:45 p.m.
North Plainfield at Belvidere, 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 27


(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament

Lenape Valley at Warren Hills, 2:45 p.m.

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

North Warren at Morris Hills
Morristown at Sparta

Thursday, Sept. 28


(All first-round games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament

Belvidere at Newton
South Hunterdon at Wallkill Valley
Pope John at Hunterdon Central, 3:30 p.m.
High Point at Voorhees, 3 p.m.
Vernon at Phillipsburg

Friday, Sept. 29


(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

St. Elizabeth at Pope John
Sparta at Randolph
Jefferson at Wallkill Valley

Independent

Kittatinny at Belvidere
Hopewell Valley at Delaware Valley, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 30


(All games 10 a.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Butler at Vernon

Skyland Conference

Phillipsburg at Warren Hills, 1:30 p.m.

Independent

Blair Academy at North Warren, 1 p.m.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Field hockey: HWS Tournament seeds, pairings

The ninth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament gets under way on Saturday with four preliminary round games.

Here's is this year's complete schedule:

Prelims on Saturday at the higher seeds, with the winners advancing to the six pre-quarterfinal round contests on Thursday, Sept. 28 at the higher seeds. The quarterfinals are slated for Saturday, Oct. 7 at the higher seeds with the semifinals to be played on Saturday, Oct. 14.
Hunterdon Central celebrates with the HWS title trophy in 2016.

The championship game will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on the turf at Hackettstown's Morrison Field. Hunterdon Central scored a 2-1 victory over Warren Hills in last year's title game for its first tri-county title and the program's first county championship since winning the Hunterdon-Warren final in 2003. It also snapped the Blue Streaks' three-year HWS reign.

For the third straight year, all teams were seeded strictly on power points and housed in one 18-team bracket.

The top two seeds received byes into the quarterfinals.

Preliminary matchups for Saturday

16-South Hunterdon (1-4) at 13-North Warren (2-3)

17-North Hunterdon (0-6) at 12-Pope John (1-5)

18-Kittatinny (0-6) at 11-High Point (1-3-1)

15-Sparta (1-5) at 14-Lenape Valley (1-2-1)

First-round matchups for Sept. 28

9-Belvidere (3-3) at 8-Newton (4-3)

South Hunterdon-North Warren winner at 4-Wallkill Valley (7-0)

North Hunterdon-Pope John winner at 5-Hunterdon Central (4-1-1)

Kittatinny-High Point winner at 6-Voorhees (6-1)

Sparta-Lenape Valley winner at 3-Warren Hills (5-2)

10-Vernon (2-3-2) at 7-Phillipsburg (3-2-1)

Quarterfinal matchups for Oct. 7

Belvidere-Newton winner at 1-Hackettstown (6-0)

North Hunterdon/Pope John/Hunterdon Central winner vs. South Hunterdon/North Warren/Wallkill Valley winner

Kittatinny/High Point/Voorhees winner vs. Sparta/Lenape Valley/Warren Hills winner

Vernon-Phillipsburg winner at 2-Delaware Valley (6-0)

Field hockey: HWS scoring leaders

(Through Wednesday's games)

Player
School
Goals
Assists
Points
Morgan Carr
Wallkill Valley
15
1
31
Cassie Boyce
Voorhees
11
6
28
Samantha Dugan
Warren Hills
9
3
21
Rebecca Sigman
Warren Hills
7
7
21
Kayla Cichar
Hackettstown
8
2
18
Erin Shaw
Voorhees
7
3
17
Ashley Zellars
Hackettstown
6
4
16
Tali Popinko
Warren Hills
6
3
15
Morgan Mendel
Newton
5
3
13
Madison Hoskins
Hackettstown
3
6
12
Gabby Dudek
Phillipsburg
6
0
12
Jordan Vandermark
Hackettstown
5
1
11
Megan Donnelly
Delaware Valley
3
5
11
Brittany Bill
Hunterdon Central
3
4
10
Brooke Hyland
Voorhees
4
2
10
Laura Chen
Voorhees
4
2
10
Lauren Barbato
Newton
3
4
10
Kelsey O'Connor
Delaware Valley
4
2
10
Kristen Bill
Delaware Valley
5
0
10
Madeline Bill
Delaware Valley
2
5
9
Cameron Sacco
Pope John
4
1
9
Megan Doyle
Hackettstown
4
1
9
Fiona Blake
Wallkill Valley
2
4
8
Kali Huck
Hunterdon Central
4
0
8
Colleen Barrett
Hunterdon Central
3
2
8
Melissa Kosar
Phillipsburg
4
0
8
Katie Yarussi
Pope John
2
4
8
Emilee Hamler
Vernon
4
0
8
Sarah Babcock
Delaware Valley
2
3
7
Mikayla Dugan
Warren Hills
3
1
7
Victoria Docherty
Newton
2
3
7
Tara Brody
Wallkill Valley
2
3
7

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Field hockey: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings

Our debut of the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings comes in a big week with the 1 vs. 2 showdown between Voorhees and Warren Hills on tap for Friday in the 61st meeting of that storied rivalry, along with the county tournament seeds and pairings set to be released at some point on Wednesday.

Check back here for all of the tournament information as the ninth annual event gets underway on Saturday with the six preliminary matchups.

Voorhees (6-1) sits atop our first rankings as the Vikings are once again among the top teams in New Jersey, with their only loss to date being a 2-1 decision at perennial powerhouse West Essex on Sept. 9.

Warren Hills (5-1), by comparison, dropped a 6-1 decision to West Essex at home on Friday. It was the Blue Streaks' most lopsided regular-season loss since a 10-1 waxing at the hands of Eastern on Sept. 27, 2014.

First-year coach Josie  Potter's team will be looking to avenge two losses to Voorhees a year ago -- 1-0 in overtime at home and 3-1 on the road -- that decided the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title. The Vikes own a 33-21-6 edge in a series dating to 1975. This is a huge week for the Streaks, who also have games against Madison (Wednesday) and unbeaten Hackettstown (Saturday).

Now, onto the rankings.

1. Voorhees (6-1) -- Sophomore forward Cassie Boyce (11 goals, 6 assists) is the team's leading scorer and had a hand in every goal scored through the first seven games. Sophomore forward Brooke Hyland (4 goals) and senior forward Erin Shaw (7 goals, 3 assists), along with senior midfielder Lauren Chen (4 goals) also help anchor a well-balanced attack. The defense, always a strength, allowed has pitched four shutouts.

Up next: Warren Hills at home on Friday; at Bridgewater-Raritan on Tuesday.

2. Warren Hills (5-1) -- Blue Streaks were overwhelmed in a 6-1 loss to West Essex at home on Friday, but rebounded with wins over North Hunterdon (7-0 on Saturday) and Hillsborough (4-1) on Tuesday. Senior forward Rebecca Sigman (7 goals and 7 assists) and sophomore forward Sam Dugan (9 goals, 3 assists), along with senior midfielder Tali Popinko (6 goals, 3 assists) are ones to watch.

Up next: Madison at home on Wednesday; at Voorhees on Friday; at Hackettstown on Saturday.

3. Hunterdon Central (4-1-1) -- Red Devils stumbled a bit out of the gate, going 1-1-1 before rattling off road wins against Ridge (3-0 on Sept. 12), Princeton (3-0 on Saturday) and Montgomery (3-1 on Monday). Senior forwards Brittany Bill (3 goals, 4 assists), Kali Huck (4 goals) and Colleen Barrett (3 goals) are the main threats for an offense that has produced three or more goals in four games thus far. The defense has been pretty solid outside of the 4-1 loss to Warren Hills on Sept. 9.

Up next: at Hillsborough on Saturday; North Hunterdon at home on Tuesday.

4. Hackettstown (5-0) -- Tigers have overwhelmed the competition so far, but coach Stephen Speirs' team will get its first major test at home against Warren Hills on Saturday. Hackettstown, which is 4-41-3 all-time vs. the Blue Streaks, including a 4-0 loss on the road last year, has outscored its opponents 24-1 through five games. Junior forwards Kayla Cichar (8 goals), Ashley Zellars (4 goals) and Jordan Vandermark (3 goals), along with junior midfielder Madison Hoskins (3 goals, 4 assists) anchor the offense.

Up next: Lenape Valley at home on Wednesday; Warren Hills at home on Saturday.

5. Phillipsburg (3-2-1) -- Stateliners are off to a solid start under first-year coach Toni Popinko, a former star player at Warren Hills, scoring a 3-0 win over Belvidere on Monday behind a pair of goals by junior midfielder Gabby Dudek, who leads the team with six overall. In their opener, the 'Liners earned a 2-2 tie with Hunterdon Central, which handed P'burg a 5-0 loss a year ago. Senior forward Melissa Kosar (4 goals) also has a nose for the ball, while senior goalie Lauren Viscione is a veteran in the cage.

Up next: at Lenape Valley on Thursday; at Hillsborough on Tuesday.

6. Wallkill Valley (6-0) -- Rangers are off to their best start since opening 5-1 in 2009 en route to a 14-win season. The 1-2 punch of senior forwards Morgan Carr (11 goals) and Fiona Blake (2 goals, 3 assists) is the main reason for the early success, as the offense totaled 17 goals in its six wins, while the defense allowed just three as senior goalie Kristina Yakkey recorded three shutouts. Coach Irene Chernati, who is closing in on 390 wins, has her team primed for a showdown with Newton on Wednesday, which could go a long way in determining this season's NJAC Colonial Division title.

Up next: Newton at home on Wednesday; at Hackettstown on Tuesday.

7. Delaware Valley (6-0) -- Terriers, off to one of the best starts in recent program history, are picking up where they left off after a 10-win season in 2016. Offense has been the key for their resurgence, as sophomore forward Madeline Bill (2 goals, 5 assists) and junior forwards Kelsey O'Connor (4 goals) and Megan Donnelly (3 goals, 5 assists), along with freshman Kristen Bill (5 goals) have helped lead a unit that produced 22 goals in six games.

Up next: South Plainfield at home on Saturday; at Bernards on Tuesday.

8. Belvidere (3-3) -- County Seaters are coming off a tough 6-1 loss at Bernards, which is favored to win the Skyland Conference Valley Division, on Tuesday. Coach Beth Franceschino's team has suffered back-to-back losses -- also dropping a 3-0 decision to Phillipsburg on Monday -- after a 3-1 start that included a 3-0 win over Skyland Conference Mountain Division rival South Hunterdon in the season opener. Junior forward Abby Bronico (3 goals) and junior midfielder Melanie Clark (3 goals) lead an offense that is still searching for consistency.

Up next: at Sparta on Friday; North Plainfield at home on Tuesday.

9. Newton (4-2) -- Braves were hit hard by graduation coming off three straight North 1, Group 1 titles. But veteran coach Lisa Bechtel's team has reeled off three consecutive 5-0 wins after a tough start, which included a 1-0 loss to Mountain Lakes in a rematch of last year's sectional final. On Monday, senior forward Morgan Mendel scored three goals in a win over Kittatinny, giving Bechtel her 400th career victory. Mendel (5 goals, 3 assists) and junior forward Lauren Barbato (3 goals, 4 assists) anchor the offense, while the defense has recorded four shutouts.

Up next: at Wallkill Valley on Wednesday; Sparta at home on Saturday.

10. South Hunterdon (1-4) -- Eagles are off to a slow start, but they got into the win column with a 3-0 victory over North Plainfield on Thursday. Senior forward Brooke Tumler scored a pair of goals in that one as the offense looks to improve. Junior goalie Kerry Coleman made two saves for the shutout.

On the bubble: Vernon (2-3-1); High Point (1-3); Lenape Valley (1-1-1).

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Field hockey: HWS schedule for Sept. 18-23

Monday, Sept. 18


(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at High Point
Newton at Kittatinny
Vernon at Lenape Valley
Wallkill Valley at North Warren

Skyland Conference

Hunterdon Central at Montgomery, 6 p.m.
Belvidere at Phillipsburg, 3:45 p.m.

Independent

Delaware Valley at Lawrence

Tuesday, Sept. 19


(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Jefferson at Sparta

Skyland Conference

North Plainfield at Delaware Valley, 3:45 p.m.
South Hunterdon at Somerville, 3:45 p.m.
Ridge at Voorhees, 3:45 p.m.
Hillsborough at Warren Hills, 5:15 p.m.
Belvidere at Bernards
Pingry at North Hunterdon

Wednesday, Sept. 20


(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Lenape Valley at Hackettstown
Vernon at High Point
Kittatinny at North Warren, 3:45 p.m.
Newton at Wallkill Valley
Pope John at Mendham

Independent

Madison at Warren Hills, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 21


Independent 

Phillipsburg at Lenape Valley, 4 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 22


(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

North Warren at Whippany Park

Skyland Conference

Warren Hills at Voorhees, 3:45 p.m.

Independent

Belvidere at Sparta

Saturday, Sept. 23


(All games 10 a.m., unless noted)

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament

South Hunterdon at North Warren
North Hunterdon at Pope John
Kittatinny at High Point
Sparta at Lenape Valley

Skyland Conference

Hunterdon Central at Hillsborough

Independent

Warren Hills at Hackettstown, 11 a.m.
South Plainfield at Delaware Valley

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Field hockey: HWS schedule for Sept. 11-16

Monday, Sept. 11


(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

High Point at Morristown-Beard, 4:30 p.m.
Montville at Newton, 7 p.m.
Vernon at Jefferson

Independent

Hackettstown at Belvidere
Kittatinny at Blair Academy, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 12


(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Pope John at Morris Hills
Mount Olive at Sparta

Skyland Conference

Delaware Valley at Mount St. Mary
Hunterdon Central at Ridge
Phillipsburg at Voorhees, 3:45 p.m.
Bernards at South Hunterdon, 4:15 p.m.
Warren Hills at Watchung Hills, 3:45 p.m.
Franklin at Belvidere
Montgomery at North Hunterdon, 5:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 13


(All games 4 p.m.)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at Vernon
High Point at Lenape Valley
Wallkill Valley at Kittatinny
North Warren at Newton

Thursday, Sept. 14


(All games 3:45 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Pope John at Jefferson, 4 p.m.
Sparta at Morris Hills, 4 p.m.
Mount Olive at Wallkill Valley, 4 p.m.

Skyland Conference

Franklin at Delaware Valley
North Plainfield at South Hunterdon
Voorhees at Hillsborough
Mount St. Mary at Belvidere
North Hunterdon at Bridgewater-Raritan

Friday, Sept. 15


(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Pequannock at Kittatinny

Independent

West Essex at Warren Hills, 5 p.m.
North Warren at Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg (Pa.)

Saturday, Sept. 16


(All games 10 a.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Mount Olive at Pope John, 9:30 a.m.
Sparta at Vernon

Skyland Conference

Phillipsburg at Montgomery, 11 a.m.
Watchung Hills at Voorhees
North Hunterdon at Warren Hills, 1:30 p.m.

Independent

Somerville at Newton, 12:30 p.m.
Wallkill Valley at Blair Academy, 2 p.m.
Hunterdon Central at Princeton, 11 a.m.

Friday, September 8, 2017

2017 Field hockey preview: Hunterdon-Warren

Belvidere County Seaters

Coach: Beth Franceschino (fourth season of second stint, 35-18-5).

2016 record: 13-3-2, 7-1-2 (first place Skyland Conference Mountain Division).

Key returnees: F Maddie Call (6 goals, 4 assists), jr.; F Abby Bronico (9 goals, 6 assists), jr.; F Angie Santini (8 goals), jr.; MF-D Sam Bittenbender (5 goals), sr.; MF-D Alex Navarra, sr.; MF-D Mallory Keenan, jr.; GK Anya Logan (10 shutouts), jr.

Key losses: F Kara Tipton; D Erin Bronico; D Rachel Dultz; MF Traci Kieffer.

Top newcomers: MF Melanie Clark, jr.; D Sam Dultz, jr.; F Olivia Zmyewski, fr.; MF Kinsey Lockard, fr.; MF Jackie Richardson, jr.; F Allison Deisenroth, jr.; MF Isabella Serra, so.; MF Hailey Rowe, so.; D Marietta McCray, sr.

Outlook: The County Seaters are coming off three straight winning seasons, winning the division in 2014 and '16, and back-to-back runs to the North 1, Group 1 semifinals where last season ended with a tough 1-0 loss to Mountain Lakes. The defense, which was solid last year, returns Logan in the cage, but the losses of Bronico and Dultz are huge for a unit that yielded only 15 goals (six to Hunterdon Central in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex quarters) last season and two or fewer in 17 contests. The offense should be a strength with the return of leading scorer Abby Bronico. If this team can hold tight on the defensive end, it should make another deep run in the postseason.

Delaware Valley Terriers

Coach: Stephanie Rifflard (seventh season, 49-56-6).

2016 record: 10-6-1, 6-3-1 (second place Skyland Conference Valley Division).

Key returnees: F Megan Donnelly (4 goals), jr.; F Sarah Babcock (6 goals, 5 assists), sr.; MF Rachel Orrico, sr.; F-MF Madeline Bill, so.; MF Jillian Ethern, sr.; GK Ellis Stanton, sr.

Key losses: MF Ann Bill (10 goals, 5 assists); D Jeanne Harabedian (5 goals); F Riley Ferrara (6 goals, 8 assists); GK Jillian DePinto (8 shutouts).

Top newcomers: F Kelsey O'Connor, jr.; D Clare Nugent, jr.; F-MF Madison Scott, jr.; D Megan Bill, jr.

Outlook: The Terriers, who posted three straight nine-win campaigns before upping that total by one and reaching the North 2, Group 2 quarterfinals last season, will have to replace some heavy losses on the offensive side, where 22 of their 36 goals from last season have graduated. Babcock and Donnelly will have to anchor that group. Defensively is where the biggest challenge lies this season, though Stanton did see time in the cage in 2016. This team should challenge for the division title, but defense against the stronger opponents will be key to pushing past the .500 mark.

Hackettstown Tigers

Coach: Stephen Speirs (eighth season, 80-51-3).

2016 record: 16-5, 6-0 (first place NJAC Freedom Division).

Key returnees: F Jordan Vandermark (19 goals), jr.; MF Madison Hoskins (10 goals, 11 assists), jr.; F Kayla Cichlar (10 goals), jr.; F Ashley Zellars (10 goals), jr.; MF Kayla Nicholls, sr.; D Megan Baker, jr.; D Sierra Castiglia, jr.; MF Jessica Scheper, jr.; MF Lexie Castellano, sr.; F Kyleigh Dawson, jr.; GK Bridget Kenny (11 shutouts), jr.; D Jodie Pryslak, jr.; MF Madison Trotter, so.

Key losses: MF Molly Gorczyca (8 goals); D Nicole Jerome.

Top newcomers: F Madison Billows, so.; MF Malanie Luke, so.; F Sydney Smith, so.; F Megan Doyle, fr.

Outlook: Tigers are coming off four straight seasons over .500, winning back-to-back division titles and dropping a 1-0 decision to Voorhees in the North 1, Group 2 final, the program's first title game since 2007. This bulk of last year's team returns, including most of a balanced offense that saw Gorczyca's goals total dip from a program-record 31 in 2015 to just eight in '16. Vandermark, Hoskins, Zellars and Cichar were the team's top four scorers last year. Castiglia and Baker, both all-conference selections, will anchor a defense that yielded 17 goals last season, including seven in the first four games. Only Warren Hills, which scored four, put up more than three on the Tigers in 2016. This is a talented group that should make another deep run in the playoffs and is a heavy favorite for a third division title.

Hunterdon Central Red Devils

Coach: Jenn Sponzo (19th season, 256-128-16).

2016 record: 15-7, 9-5 (second place Skyland Conference Delaware Division).

Key returnees: F Brittany Bill (9 goals, 16 assists), sr.; F Emily Brandt (7 goals), sr.; F Kali Huck (4 goals), sr.; D Lauren Howarth, sr.; MF Nikki Peppe, sr.; F Colleen Barrett (4 goals), sr.; MF Alexa Zubalake, sr.

Key losses: MF Nikki Freeman (17 goals); F Liza Higley (11 goals); D Dayna DeVincentz (4 goals, 5 assists); GK Elizabeth O'Brien (8 shutouts).

Top newcomers: F Rachel Stone, jr.; MF Emily Bill, jr.; D Sadie Strober, sr.; GK Gabby Puskas, jr.; D Jenna Dugan, jr.; D Lauren Nawrotzki, jr.; D Brooke Riedy, sr.; F Alyssa Magliaro, jr.; F Sammy Freeman, fr.

Outlook: Red Devils, after winning back-to-back North 2, Group 4 titles in 2012 and '13, have ended the last three campaigns with losses to nemesis Bridgewater in the sectional finals. Another rematch at season's end seems likely. Central opened its season with a tie against Phillipsburg after a 5-0 blowout win against the Stateliners a year ago. Offensively, this team should be in good shape with Bill and Barrett, while Brandt scored seven goals off the bench in 2016. Defensively, Puskas takes over full-time duties in the cage after spot action as a sophomore. Central, which won the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex title last year, is always well coached, so expect this team to improve as the season wears on.

North Hunterdon Lions

Coach: Maria Bachert (first season).

2016 record: 1-17-1, 1-13-1 (fourth place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).

Key returnees: MF Lexi Poniatowski, sr.; D Lauren Wagner, sr.; GK Caroline Petrie, jr.; F Caroline Witte, jr.

Key losses: F Courtney Nealon; MF Nicole Perez; D Jenn Sroka; F Hannah Palahnuk; GK Wesley Taylor.

Top newcomers: N/A

Outlook: Lions have gone 41-140-5 over the last nine seasons, and they are coming off back-to-back one-win campaigns. Bachert, a former head coach at Watchung Hills, inherits a program that went 7-65-3 under Suzanne Toke the past four seasons. The rebuilding, as always, will start with offense, as last year's unit scored just nine goals in 19 games for the second straight year. That makes it tough to win. Defensively, Petrie saw limited varsity action in the cage in 2016. This unit will look to improve as well after yielding 76 goals in 19 games.

North Warren Patriots

Coach: Brian Gravatt (third season, 10-25-2).

2016 record: 5-12-1, 0-5-1 (fourth place NJAC Colonial Division).

Key returnees: F Julia Wetzel, sr.; F Sydney Janerio, sr.; MF Dani Towey, jr.; MF Lauren Cooke, jr.; F Drew Benzaia, jr.; MF Kat Grogan, so; MF Jules Metzgar, so.

Key losses: GK Jenna Sagan (6 shutouts); MF Sydney MacDonough; F Kassandra DePaolis; F Danielle Pergola; D Elinor Dowd; D Sophia Hinchman; D Moira Love.

Top newcomers: MF Maddie Allen, so.; MF Alexis Ashton, so.; MF Paige Smedira, so.; MF Felicia Ahlers, so.

Outlook: After going 10-9-1 in 2014, the program's first winning season in recent memory, the Patriots are coming off back-to-back five-win seasons. The loss of Sagan, one of seven starters to graduate and a three-year starter in the cage, hurts a defense that struggled to contain the tougher teams on the schedule last season. The offense is a question after scoring just seven goals in 18 games a year ago, down from a total 17 in '15. If the offense can step up, finishing near the .500 mark would be a reasonable goal.

Phillipsburg Stateliners

Coach: Toni Popinko (first season).

2016 record: 4-14-2, 2-10-2 (fourth place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).

Key returnees: F Abby Evans, sr.; MF Gabby Dudek (9 goals, 4 assists), jr.; F Emily Yanes, jr.; GK Lauren Viscione, sr.; F Melissa Kosar, sr.; D Allison Yanes, sr.; D Carsen Drake, so.; D Michelle Moss, sr.

Key losses: GK Samantha DeRogatis; D Katy Perino; F Julia Dalrymple.

Top newcomers: MF-D Allison Devlin, fr.; MF Morgan Cherry, fr.; MF Morgan Barna, so.

Outlook: Stateliners, who have a new coach for the first time in seven years, have been up-and-down the past four years, going from two wins in 2013 to 11 in '15. Popinko, a former assistant coach for the 'Liners and a star player at Warren Hills, takes over the head coaching duties after a tough four-win season in '16. Finding consistency on the offensive side will be the major challenge after the goals totals dropped from 44 in '15 to 24 in '16. Evans, who scored three after a 10-goal sophomore season, and Dudek will lead that unit, while Viscione takes over full-time duties in the cage. If this team can put the ball in the cage on a regular basis, it could surprise this season, much like it did with a tie against Hunterdon Central in the season opener.

South Hunterdon Eagles

Coach: Stephanie Davis (fourth season, 29-26-2).

2016 record: 9-7-2, 6-3-1 (second place Skyland Conference Mountain Division).

Key returnees: F Julia Kreider (5 goals, 4 assists), sr.; F Brooke Tumler, sr.; D Claire Greenwood, sr.; MF Alana Cantanzareti, so.; GK Kerry Coleman, jr.; D Nicole Costantini, jr.; F Jada Kauth, jr.; F Ashley Lucarini, so.; MF Sophia Petrucci, jr.

Key losses: F Carly Leary (10 goals, 6 assists); F Kate Shaffer (5 goals); GK Giovanna Rubino (6 shutouts); D Kendall Storcella; D Emily Carrier; MF Mae Dienes; MF Rebecca Godown (7 goals).

Top newcomers: F Chandler Storcella, fr.; MF Rebecca Phillips, fr.; GK Brenna McCloughan, jr.

Outlook: The Eagles are coming off-back-to-back winning seasons, but they will have to overcome heavy graduation losses to make another run at the Mountain Division title. Kreider and Tumler are back on the forward line for an offensive unit that produced 29 goals (22 have graduated) last season, down from 37 in 2015. Defensively, the loss of Rubino, a three-year starter in the cage, may be the toughest to overcome.

Voorhees Vikings

Coach: Taylor Webb (seventh season, 98-26-4).

2016 record: 18-4-1, 14-1 (first place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).

Key returnees: D Sarah Matyas (4 goals, 5 assists), sr.; MF Laura Chen (4 goals, 6 assists), sr.; MF Lauren Kokoskie, so.; F Brooke Hyland (17 goals), so.; F Cassie Boyce (9 goals), so.; MF Madison Ogorzalek, so.

Key losses: MF Hannah Schiavo (9 goals), sr.; GK Annie Weiler (11 goals); D Danika Berman.

Top newcomers: GK Courtney Wellet, so.; D Ryleigh Cameron, so.; F Erin Shaw, sr.; D Grace Schiavo, fr.

Outlook: Vikings made the successful transition back to the Skyland Conference Raritan Division, winning their third straight division title, while avenging consecutive losses in the North 2, Group 2 sectional final with a 1-0 win in overtime against Hackettstown in last year's title game. The offense should be in very good shape with Hyland, last year's leading scorer, and Boyce, who saw spot action as a starter in 2016, but should be a major contributor this fall. Defense is always the glue, but the loss of Weiller, a two-year starter, means a new face in the cage. Expect this group to get better each game and challenge for division, county and sectional titles. Speaking of the section, it got a whole lot tougher with the addition of state powerhouse Rumson-Fair Haven, which was in Central Jersey, Group 2 in '16.

Warren Hills Blue Streaks

Coach: Josie Potter (first season).

2016 record: 20-5, 12-3 (second place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).

Key returnees: MF Tali Popinko (13 goals, 9 assists), sr.; F Rebecca Sigman (17 goals, 10 assists), sr.; MF-D Mikayla Dugan (6 goals, 4 assists), sr.; D Sydney Moskal, sr.; F Alyssa Appleby (14 goals), sr.; MF Rebecca Lezon, sr.; F-MF Samantha Dugan (6 goals), so.; D Kate Fenner, so.; GK Maggie Titus, sr.

Key losses: F Dani Profita (14 goals); D Caroline Cotte (11 goals); D Brie Schwab (7 assists); GK Jackie de Raismes (14 shutouts).

Top newcomers: D Ashley Moskal, fr.; D Liz Schlaffer, fr.; F-MF Sarah Korczukowski, fr.; F Paulina Georgoutsos, so.; D Jess DeSanto, so.; GK Julia Webber, so.

Outlook: For the second time in three years, the Blue Streaks, who were denied a sixth straight division title and dropped a tough 5-0 decision to Ocean City in the Group 3 final after back-to-back state championships for the first time in program history, have a new coach in Potter, a former star player and assistant coach at the school. Solid returning core with Popinko, a four-year starter, along with Sigman and Appleby, who will lead the offense. Mikayla Dugan was solid in the midfield last season, while sister, Sam, saw starting action as a freshman. Fenner is another talented young player, who shifts from the forward line to defense. Ashley Moskal is one to watch as well, a blue-chip freshman who many felt would have been a varsity starter last year as an eighth-grader. Defense was an issue at times last season, especially vs. Ocean City. Titus, who saw spot action last year, takes over the full-time duties in the cage. The talent is there once again to challenge for championships.