2020 Field hockey preview: Hunterdon-Warren

Belvidere County Seaters

Coach: Beth Franceschino (seventh season of second stint, 72-39-7).

2019 record: 10-9-1, 6-4 (second place Skyland Conference Mountain Division).

Key returnees: F Olivia Zmyewski (11 goals, 8 assists), sr.; D Kinsey Lockard, sr.; F Jordan Yeisley, sr.; MF Emma Dalrymple (3 goals, 7 assists), jr.; F Marianna Crisafulli (5 goals), sr.; D Nora Dornich (4 goals), jr.; D Autumn Banghart, jr.

Congratulations to Olivia Zmyewski on verbally committing to Pace University to continue her academic and athletic career! 🏑 Go Setters!! 💙🐾 pic.twitter.com/V2Wwj7f3TZ

— Lady Seaters FH (@ladyseatersfh) August 18, 2020

Key losses: MF Isabella Sera (5 goals); F Kyleigh Sturm (7 goals); GK Alyssa Rudd; GK Keira Gately.

Top newcomers: MF Mackenzie Hausamann, jr.; F Ellie Kardos, so.; GK Kaitlin Williams, so.; D Taylor Dultz, jr.; F-MF Rachael Rowe, jr.; F Kayla Connors, so.; MF-D Rebecca Ferrullo, so.; F Jenna Van Scoten, so.; F Kayleen Baylor, sr.

Outlook: County Seaters are coming off six straight winning seasons, capturing division titles in three of the previous six years, but their bid to reach back-to-back North 1, Group 1 sectional finals ended with a 1-0 loss to eventual champion Pequannock in last year's quarterfinals. The offense will again flow through Zmyewski, a Pace University commit and among the top forwards in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area. Replacing the tandem of Rudd and Gately, who combined for eight shutouts last season in the cage, will be the biggest challenge for a defensive unit that returns plenty of experience. Expect to see steady improvement with this group as it eyes another deep postseason run.

Delaware Valley Terriers

Coach: Stephanie Rifflard (10th season, 89-72-7).

2019 record: 15-5, 9-1 (first place Skyland Conference Valley Division).

Key returnees: F Kristen Bill (8 goals, 6 assists), sr.; MF Rachel McIntyre (4 goals, 6 assists), jr.; MF-D Emily Norgard, sr.; F Samantha Snowden (17 goals), jr.; F-MF Annabelle Neibuhr (4 goals), jr.; D Rachel Ferri, jr.; D-MF Natalie Heiser (4 goals, 3 assists), so. 

Key losses: MF Madeline Bill (9 goals, 16 assists); MF Kaleigh Higgins; F Debbie Nalesnik (9 goals); GK Shea Cinquemani (8 shutouts).

Top newcomers: GK Grace Jenkins, fr.; D Ava Dougherty, sr.; F Kylie Fleming, sr.; F Isabella Gohil, sr.

Outlook: The Terriers -- after reaching the North 2, Group 2 semifinals in 2017 -- are coming off consecutive quarterfinal losses in North 2, Group 1, including a season-ending 3-0 defeat to nemesis South Hunterdon in 2019. Offensively, this year's group should again be in good shape with Kristen Bill and Snowden, who led the team in goals last season, leading a unit that helped fuel a 7-0 start last fall and a run to the division title. The defense will need to step up with the loss of Cinquemani in the cage after allowing 26 goals a year ago, including five in a loss to North Hunterdon. If that happens, this team has enough talent to approach last year's wins total.

Hackettstown Tigers

Coach: Rachael Gorski (second season, 9-9-1).

2019 record: 9-9-1, 4-4 (third place NJAC Freedom Division).

Key returnees: F Megan Doyle (17 goals, 6 assists), sr.; MF Amy Wood, jr.; D Adriana Beam, sr.; F Emma Patton (5 assists), jr.; F Aaisha Taha, so.; F Ali Cetani, so.

Key losses: MF-D Melanie Luke; GK Sophia Mallozzi (7 shutouts); F Madison Billows (8 goals); F Sydney Smith (4 goals); MF Madison Trotter (injured in 2019); D Maya Hassan.

Top newcomers: GK Megan Kerwin, fr.; GK Emily Newton, fr.; F Kiara Koeller, fr.; MF Erin Magnotta, so.; F Skyler Sciaretta, fr.; MF-D Sophia Smith, so.

Outlook: As expected, last year was a bit of a struggle coming off a celebrated 19-win campaign in 2018. This year's group will also have to overcome some key graduation losses, particularly on defense. Doyle has been among the area's top scorers and will anchor a unit that should be able to put the ball in the cage. Keeping it out will be the challenge as Mallozzi did a fine job the previous two seasons. This is a young group, but if the newcomers can contribute, then approaching last year's wins total is a reachable goal. 

Hunterdon Central Red Devils

Coach: Jenn Sponzo (22nd season, 298-149-20).

2019 record: 13-10-2, 7-4-2 (first place Skyland Conference Delaware Division).

Key returnees: MF Sarah Woods (3 goals), sr.; D Jordan Sponzo (5 assists), sr.; D Rebecca Woods, sr.; GK Alexea Karpinski (8 shutouts), jr.; F Sarah DeStefano (5 goals), jr.; F Jennifer Tokash (3 goals, 3 assists), jr.; D Shannon Parker, sr.

Key losses: MF Sammy Freeman (12 goals); F Ashleigh Paulik; D Elizabeth Stevenson; F Lexi Finkelstein (5 goals).

Top newcomers: MF Abigail Lantos, sr.; F Mary Weaver, sr.; D Sierra Probst, sr.; MF Maria Ippolotio, so.; F Tessa Brunetti, sr.

Outlook: Red Devils captured their first sectional title in seven years with a thrilling 2-1 win against North Hunterdon in last year's North 2, Group 4 final after being eliminated the five previous seasons with losses to nemesis Bridgewater-Raritan in title games. Central, which won eight of its last 10 and saw its season end with a 9-0 loss to Eastern in the Group 4 final, exacted sweet revenge with a 2-1 win over the Panthers to start the championship run. Last year's group relied on timely offense and a bend-but-don't-break defense, and it could be the case again this fall. There isn't one big scorer so it will take a collective effort up front to get the ball in the cage. Defensively, Karpinski returns in goal and she'll have plenty of help in front of her from some talented backs, including Sponzo and Rebecca Woods. Central is always well coached (Jenn Sponzo enters two wins shy of 300) and will play up to the competition, so expect this team to improve and contend for another sectional title.

North Hunterdon Lions

Coach: Maria Bachert (fourth season, 21-39).

2019 record: 15-8, 9-6 (fourth place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).

Key returnees: F Lauren Masters (30 goals, 15 assists), so.; F-MF Olivia Reeder (10 goals, 7 assists), jr.; F Ryan Anderson (16 goals, 26 assists), jr.; MF-D Marley Hoffman, sr.; MF Ava Laible (5 goals, 6 assists), jr.; D Katie Roberts (3 goals, 3 assists), jr.; F Jamie Skeffington (3 goals), jr.; MF Beth Kastrud, jr.; D Amanda Lucy Bachert, jr.; GK McKenna Laman (7 shutouts), jr.; GK Stephanie Teipel, so.; F Kelly Sautner, sr.; D Ava Perotti, jr.; F Sara Roberts, so.

Good luck to our Varsity, Jv and Freshmen teams today vs Ridge. Grateful to be able to play! Go North! #LionPride #Un1ted pic.twitter.com/pKYk3Ajbry

— NHHS_Field_Hockey (@NhhsField) October 1, 2020

Key losses: F-MF Emma Landis (9 goals, 6 assists); F-MF Sana Sarker (5 goals, 3 assists); D Mira Carver (3 goals).

Outlook: The Lions were the feelgood story of 2019 -- posting the program's first winning season in 10 years and reaching a sectional final, a 2-1 loss to Hunterdon Central in the North 2, Group 4 title game, for the first time since 1993. All of that after the program went 47-171-5 over the previous 11 seasons. The key to the turnaround was a potent offense as Masters (area-best 30 goals) and Anderson (area-high 26 assists) -- a speedy 1-2 punch -- led a unit that averaged 3.8 goals per game and recorded a total of 88 in 23 games. Reeder led the team in goals in 2018, so there is plenty of punch in throughout this lineup. Defensively, Laman did a nice job in her first season in the cage and North yielded only 11 goals in its final nine games down the stretch a year ago. Along with Warren Hills, this is a team to watch in the area and statewide this season.

North Warren Patriots

Coach: Brian Gravatt (sixth season, 24-64-6).

2019 record: 5-11-3, 1-5-2 (fifth place NJAC Colonial Division).

Key returnees: F Maddie Allen (3 goals), sr.; MF Alexis Ashton (3 assists), sr.; F Alexis Wohlers (8 goals), sr.; F Heather Kemper (4 goals), sr.; D Erin Dimaio, sr.; MF Kerry Castles, sr.; D Sadie Forbes, sr.; MF Devon Benzaia, jr.; MF Aubrey Deldin, jr.; GK Kathryn Swistak (4 shutouts), jr.; F Rachel Eitner, jr.; D Devon Curreri, so.; D Kate Gerkhart, so.

Key losses: MF Julianne Metzgar; D Katarina Grogan.

Outlook: Patriots have been around the five-win mark every year since their last winning season (10-9-1 in 2014). But that may change this fall with plenty of returning experience. The offense has been a major reason for the recent struggles as the unit produced just 20 goals in 2019. Allen was among the team leaders in scoring the previous two seasons so any improvement starts up front with her, along with Wohlers. The defense showed improvement last year -- allowing 42 goals, which was down from 54 in 2018. The Pats could approach the .500 mark this season if the offense can generate a few more goals.

Phillipsburg Stateliners

Coach: Toni Popinko (fourth season, 21-40-3).

2019 record: 4-15-2, 2-12-1 (sixth place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).

Key returnees: MF Allison Devlin (3 goals, 3 assists), sr.; MF Morgan Cherry (5 goals, 4 assists), sr.; MF Emilia Lopes, jr.; D Madison Darmstadt, jr.; F Samantha Helman (4 goals), so.; F Grace Merrick, so. 

Key losses: MF Morgan Barna; GK Tatum McVey; D Erin Fisher; D Samantha Donnelly. 

Top newcomers: F Julia Butler, fr.; MF Avery Ritt, fr.; D Jillian Miller, fr.

Outlook: Stateliners struggled the previous two seasons since winning 10 games in 2017, but they did finish strong a year ago and won a playoff game -- 3-1 over Livingston behind a pair of goals from Barna -- before bowing out in the North 1, Group 4 quarterfinals. Inconsistency on offense has been a major factor as the team scored just 28 goals in 2019 and 29 the previous year. Devlin and Cherry will again be counted on to help boost those numbers. The defense will also need to improve in front of a new goalkeeper. The 'Liners play in one of the toughest divisions in the state, but this is always a scrappy team so reaching the .500 mark seems realistic.

South Hunterdon Eagles

Coach: Stephanie Davis-Hart (seventh season, 60-44-3).

2019 record: 17-3, 9-1 (first place Skyland Conference Mountain Division).

Key returnees: F Chandler Storcella (14 goals, 3 assists), sr.; MF Rebecca Phillips (16 goals, 13 assists), sr.; F Natalia Oprzadek (14 goals), jr.; MF-D Zoe Horan (5 goals, 4 assists), jr.; D Skyler Badessa, jr.; D Bianca Gambino, jr.; D Sofia Gambino, jr.; GK Tiernan Swayhoover (9 shutouts), jr.; MF Kylie Masterson, so.

Key losses: F Alana Catanzareti (17 goals); F Martine Paerg (7 goals).

Top newcomers: D-MF Willa Ludwig, so.; F-MF Briana Tumler, so.; F Sarah Faherty, so.; D Katie Costantini, so.  

Outlook: Eagles, who were a round shy of reaching the North 2, Group 1 final, return a wealth of talent to foster another postseason run. Offensive production was the key to success in 2019, as the unit tallied 76 goals -- up 32 from '18. Phillips and Storcella, along with Oprzadek, were among the area scoring leaders a year ago, while Horan was solid in the middle of the field. Swayhoover returns after helping to anchor a defense that permitted 26 goals (five in a loss to Valley Division champion Delaware Valley and seven in a loss to powerhouse Shore Regional in the sectional final). The goal this season is to be more competitive against the tougher teams on the schedule (South did avenge a loss to Del Val in the sectional quarterfinals).

Voorhees Vikings

Coach: Shannon Hughes (third season, 33-12).

2019 record: 18-5, 13-2 (second place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).

Key returnees: F Katie McLean (6 goals, 7 assists), sr.; D Grace Schiavo, sr.; MF Sadie Eichlin, jr.; GK Noelle Gabrish (9 shutouts), sr.; F Tess Rodenberger, sr.; D Mackenzie Vreeland, sr.

Key losses: F Cassie Boyce; F Brooke Hyland (16 goals, 10 assists); MF Madison Ogorzalek (11 goals, 7 assists); MF Lauren Kokoskie (8 goals, 10 assists); MF-D Ryleigh Cameron (10 goals, 7 assists).

Top newcomers: MF-F Kate Cookson, fr.; MF Alexa Barkman, fr.

Outlook: Vikings aren't accustomed to what most would deem a rebuilding season, but considering this is annually one of the state's top programs, this fall may be one by their lofty standards. The graduation losses on offense were huge and this group overcame some adversity last year as Boyce and Kokoskie sustained season-ending knee injuries. McLean will need to take on more of a lead role up front, while Eichlin, who was stellar on defense a year ago, moves to the center midfield spot. Schiavo is one of the best backs in the area and in the state, and Gabrish is seasoned in the cage so the defense should be in good hands. It will be interesting to see how things play out, but conventional wisdom would dictate that this group to be better by season's end and possibly make some noise in the postseason.

Warren Hills Blue Streaks

Coach: Josie Potter (fourth season, 66-11-1).

2019 record: 23-2, 14-1 (first place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).

Key returnees: F Simryn Desai (20 goals, 5 assists), sr.; MF Ashley Moskal, sr.; F Jenna Wyckoff (9 goals, 6 assists), sr.; MF Sarah Korczukowski (11 goals, 8 assists, HWS MVP), sr.; F-MF Maddie Summitt (6 goals, 3 assists), jr.; D Emily Dvorsky, jr.; D Liz Schlaffer, sr.; MF Olivia Chomut, sr.; D Kylie Compton, sr.; F Julianna Valli (9 goals, 4 assists), sr.; GK Emily Schlessinger, sr.; F Grace Kerner, sr.; MF-D Angela Pawloski, sr.

Warren Hills eyes a 10th straight sectional title.

Key losses: F Samantha Dugan (20 goals, 10 assists); MF Kate Fenner (3 assists); GK Julia Webber (14 shutouts); MF Paulina Georgoutsos (7 goals, 11 assists); D Jess DeSanto.

Top newcomer: Ryleigh Reagan, jr.

Outlook: Blue Streaks, who are coming off their fourth straight Group 3 final setback, captured the program's ninth straight sectional title last year and the HWS Tournament championship. With 10 seniors on the roster, this team is experienced and hungry to keep up a great tradition of winning field hockey. Desai (Hofstra), Wyckoff (Ball State) and Valli (Ithaca) will lead a potent and speedy forward line and an offense that racked up 89 goals last season, while Korczukowski, a steady force in the midfield and a Rutgers commit, will look to fill some big shoes with the loss of Fenner, now at Fairfield University. Moskal, a tough defender who missed most of the past two seasons due to injuries, moves up to one of the midfield spots, while Chomut, another strong player, rounds out that unit. Dvorsky, Schlaffer (Widener) and Compton (Montclair State) form one of the best backfields in the state and they'll make life a lot easier for Schlessinger, a talented goalkeeper who has been waiting in the wings. It's a shame there's no postseason beyond sectionals this season as this group figured to be one of the Group 3 favorites, but a 10th straight sectional title is surely within reach.

2020 Field hockey preview: Sussex

High Point Wildcats

Coach: Kelly Reynolds (third season, 13-21-1).

2019 record: 6-13, 0-8 (fifth place NJAC Freedom Division).

Key returnees: F Ali Stoner (6 goals, 4 assists), jr.; D-MF Donna Merkel, jr.; F Audrey Flannery (6 goals), jr.; GK Cassandra Conklin, jr.; MF Dominique Thiessen, jr.; D Rachel King, sr.; F Caeley Shorr (injured in 2019), sr.

Key losses: D Molly VanStone; MF Jackie Melone; F Taylor Berry (7 goals); D Alexis Lake; F Abby Lazier; MF Grace Musilli.

Congratulations to this year’s Team Captains: Rachel King, Caeley Shorr, and Donna Merkel! ✌🏻❤️🏑 @HPRwildcats @JonTallamy @coachcdexter

— High Point Field Hockey (@field_point) September 29, 2020

Top newcomers: D Hope Margarum, jr.; F Jenna Brinck, so.; MF-D Brianna Post, so.

Outlook: The Wildcats, who are eyeing the program's first winning season since 2017, won their first playoff game last season -- 2-1 in double-overtime over Jefferson before dropping a 4-1 decision to Vernon in the North 1, Group 2 quarterfinals. The 'Cats were no strangers to close games last season -- playing in 12 decided by one goal or fewer (eight of those were losses including the first five to open the 2019 campaign). Offense, as was the case the previous two seasons, will be the biggest question as the unit totaled 30 goals in 18 games in 2019. Stoner and Berry led that charge a year ago, but others will have to pick up the slack if this group is going to improve on last season's win total. Playing in a tough division with Hackettstown and Newton, and lacking turf on their home field, puts the 'Cats, with a relatively young roster, at a disadvantage. But if the defense, which struggled last season, steps up, getting above the .500 mark is a realistic goal.

Kittatinny Cougars

Coach: Emily Wisneski (third season, 6-31-2).

2019 record: 4-14-1, 2-5-1 (fourth place NJAC Colonial Division).

Key returnees: MF Madisen Dippel (3 goals), sr.; D Katie Schreiber, sr.; F-MF Allie Molfetto, sr.; F Jordyn Librizzi (3 goals), sr.; GK Emily Hotz, jr.; F Rachel Loevlie, jr.; MF Delaney Campanella, jr.

Key losses: F-MF Nellie Choma (6 goals); F Kate Sikora; MF-D Carly Rigby; D Tia Melvin; D Nicole Tomlinson; F Abby Roggenkamp.

Top newcomers: F-MF Isabelle Hennett, jr.; F-MF Meagan Ward, so.; D-MF Ashley Smith, so.; D Brooke VanGorden, jr.

Outlook: The Cougars went 41-88-9 over the previous seven seasons following a 15-win campaign and reaching a sectional final in 2014. The good news is they doubled their win total in 2019 after three consecutive seasons with just two victories. Lack of offense has been a major weakness, but the unit did improve by four goals on its overall total from two seasons ago. That again is an area of concern, with no player on the roster having scored more than three goals last season. This is another program up against it having to play home games on grass, but look for this group to put a few more wins on the board as the defense should be improved with Hotz in her second season in the cage.

Lenape Valley Patriots

Coach: Isabelle Becker (first season).

2019 record: 6-11-1, 5-3 (T-second place NJAC Colonial Division).

Outlook: No information was made available.

Newton Braves

Coach: Lisa Bechtel (31st season, 435-155-19).

2019 record: 15-4, 7-1 (T-first place NJAC Freedom Division).

Key returnees: F Elissar Abou-Jaoude (10 goals, 5 assists), sr.; MF Sammie Delorio, sr.; F Julia Fitt (11 goals, 7 assists), jr.; F Bridget Kerrick (7 goals), jr.; F Sidney Pavlishin (9 goals, 5 assists), jr.; F Julia Decker (5 goals), jr.

Newton eyes its fifth sectional title since 2015.

Key losses: GK Abby Berkowitz (9 shutouts); D Emily Pappas; MF Dominique Simeone; D Aubrey White; MF-D Erin Fucito; MF Sami Samilijan.

Top newcomers: MF Naya Pereira, sr.; D Kate McDade, sr.; D Madison Freda, jr.; MF Kelly Perez, sr.; GK Erin McLean, jr.; GK Alyssa Payne-Parris, so.; D Abby Nicholas, jr.; MF Syd Cotter, jr.; D Syd Harding, jr.; F Aaliyah Payne-Parris, jr.; MF Gianna Carchia, so.; F Ally Neill, so.; MF Rose Steinberg, jr.; D Sam Wechtler, jr.

Outlook: Braves should be plenty hungry after being denied in their bid for a fifth North 1, Group 1 sectional title in six seasons with a 1-0 loss to Pequannock in last year's semifinals. The defense will be challenged by the loss of Berkowitz (a four-year starter in the cage and instrumental in the program's sectional title run in 2018) as well as a few other solid contributors on that end. Bechtel's teams. which are always well coached, should be able to rely on a potent offense that totaled 50 goals (up 10 from 2018) in 19 games behind a breakout campaign from Fitt and the emergence of Abou-Jaoude. Expect the Braves to make another sectional title run.

Pope John Lions

Coach: Brett Douglas (first season).

2019 record: 1-14, 0-8 (fifth place NJAC National Division).

Key returnees: MF Josephine Buccino, sr.; MF Madison McGuire, jr.; F Ava Vozza, jr.; F-MF Maggie Schleer, jr.; D Maika Batchelor, jr.; MF Ryleigh Manning, so.; GK Emily Glory, sr.

Key losses: D Erin Befumo; GK Ciera Smith; F Delia Drace.

Top newcomers: F Abby Walsh, sr.; Kaitlin Brennan, fr.; Leah Catlyn, so.; Kira Conn, so.; Gianna Dicunto, fr,; Sabrina Dispenziere, fr.; Cameron Embleton, so.; Carolina Gonzalez-Konesny, jr.; Julia Homentosky, fr.; Sarya Hubble, jr.; Danielle Kelly, so.; Ashlee Lisa, fr.; Juliana Riccardi, jr.; Kylie Squier, so.; Melanie Waitz, jr.; Rachel Walker, so.

Outlook: Lions have a third coach in three seasons as Douglas inherits a program that has fallen on hard times and managed just one victory in 2019 after going 10-39-4 the previous three seasons. Being able to put the ball in the cage is priority one as last year's unit totaled just four in 15 games. McGuire is the only returning player with offensive stats (two assists), though Walsh is back on the roster after scoring a goal as a freshman. On defense, Glory did a solid job in the cage in a split role and she'll have the job to herself this fall. Expect this group to earn a few more wins this season.

Sparta Spartans

Coach: Corinne Bright (second season, 9-10-1).

2019 record: 9-10-1, 5-3 (T-second place NJAC Colonial Division).

Key returnees: F Kayla Collinson (8 goals), sr.; MF Maya Tomko, sr.; D Grace Russo, sr.; GK Morgan Denmead (6 shutouts), sr.

Key losses: MF Allie McGuire (4 assists); F Lauren Groff (3 goals); MF Audrey Krajicek; MF Stephanie Villar (5 goals); D Taylor Canfield; F-D Kenzie Merwin; F Haley Capeci (3 goals, 4 assists).

Top newcomers: F Casey Coleman, jr.; MF-D Norah Monaghan, jr.; MF Allison Hollywood, jr.; MF Lucy Partin, jr.; MF Rachel Leitner, jr.; D Sofia DiStefano, jr.; F-MF Sophia Candeloro, fr.; D Madison Campisi, fr.

Outlook: Spartans, who are coming off back-to-back nine-win campaigns after overcoming slow starts in both seasons, were hit hard by graduation, particularly on the offensive end. Collinson, who led the team in scoring, will be counted on even more this season after the unit produced 28 goals in 2019. The defense, which was much improved last season, should benefit from the return of Denmead in the cage, though keeping the tougher teams on the schedule at bay -- Hunterdon Central, Newton and Voorhees were the only opponents to score three or more goals -- will be the key to getting over .500. 

Vernon Vikings

Coach: Kieran Killeen (fifth season, 39-31-5).

2019 record: 16-3, 7-1 (T-first place NJAC Freedom Division).

Key returnees: MF Alicia Mihalko (7 assists), sr.; D Aleah Germinario, sr.; F Mia Annunziata (6 goals), sr.; D Rebecca Bogdewicz (5 assists), sr.; F Alyssa Van Dalinda (6 goals, 5 assists), sr.; MF Madison Hordych, sr.; F Julia Gregory (18 goals, 6 assists), jr.; MF Kayla Barca, sr.; D Anna Casper, sr.; D Madison Gary, sr.; F Natalie Hasert, jr.; MF Megan Westdyke, jr.

Key losses: F Carlie Van Tassel (23 goals, 10 assists); MF Haley DeBonta (4 goals); MF Hannah Van Blarcom; GK Alice Beutel (6 shutouts).

Top newcomers: D Lauren Waschek, so.; MF Sidney Van Tassel, fr.; F Zoe Burns, jr.; GK Caitlin Witters, jr.

Divisional champs. 1st field hockey title since 1996! pic.twitter.com/i3kNX1kiTe

— VTHS Field Hockey (@VTHS_FH) October 19, 2019

Outlook: Vikings, who went just 53-74-5 from 2009-15, have returned to respectability and are coming off one of their best seasons in a decade. Most of last year's team, which won its first division title in 23 years made a sectional title game appearance for the first time since 2010, returns, and the offense should be in good shape once again despite the loss of leading scorer Carlie Van Tassel, who scored 37 goals over the previous two years and led the county in scoring in 2019. Gregory is coming off a breakout campaign and Mihalko is a steady force in the middle. Defensively, the loss of Beutel hurts so the backs, which are an experienced group, will be counted on to keep the pressure off Witters in her first season as a starter in the cage. Take away the eight goals allowed in the North 1, Group 2 final  loss to West Essex, and the unit gave up 20 goals in the other 18 games. There's no reason to think this group won't make another postseason run.

Wallkill Valley Rangers

Coach: Irene Chernati (35th season, 414-238-16)

2019 record: 6-9-3, 2-6 (fourth place NJAC Freedom Division)

Key returnees: MF Emily Mizeski (4 goals), sr.; D Stephanie Hutnick, sr.; D Saige Slater, jr.; MF Julie Murphy, jr.; F Gianna Sienkiewicz (5 goals), jr.; D Natalie Armstrong, jr.; F Danielle Berry, jr.; MF Sarah Philback, so.; F Jen Roth, so.; F Kelly Roth, so.

Key losses: F Jamie Struble (6 assists); F Elizabeth Lindquist; GK Jade Lally (6 shutouts). 

Top newcomers: GK Sam Fried, jr.; MF Victoria Kozlak, so.; F Joy Oostdyk, fr.; F Sarina Sanders, fr.; F Haleigh Wolverton, jr.; MF Bella Cuevas, so.

Outlook: Rangers are coming off consecutive six-win seasons following their Colonial Division title run and the program's first sectional championship since 2006 in '17. Offensively, it's been a struggle as the unit produced just 18 goals in as many games, which led to an early exit in the North 1, Group 1 playoffs. Mizeski (14 career goals) and Sienkiewicz led the team a year ago. The defense should be solid, though Fried will need time to adjust as a first-year starter. If the offense comes along, look for this group to get over the .500 mark this season.

Field hockey: HWS schedule for Oct. 1-10

Thursday, Oct. 1

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Morris Knolls at Pope John 

Skyland Conference

Watchung Hills at Hunterdon Central, 5:30 p.m.
Ridge at North Hunterdon, 3:45 p.m.
Phillipsburg at Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
Belvidere at South Hunterdon
Somerville at Voorhees

Friday, Oct. 2

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Jefferson at Kittatinny
North Warren at Lenape Valley
Vernon at Wallkill Valley

Skyland Conference

Mount St. Mary at Voorhees, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3

(All games 11 a.m., unless noted)

Skyland Conference

Hunterdon Central at Ridge, 5 p.m.
Bridgewater-Raritan at Phillipsburg, 3 p.m.
South Hunterdon at Somerville, 2 p.m.
Hillsborough at Warren Hills
Belvidere at Bernards, 2:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 5

(All games 4 p.m.)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at Lenape Valley
Kittatinny at Newton
North Warren at Jefferson

Tuesday, Oct. 6

(All games 4 p.m.)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Mount Olive at Pope John

Skyland Conference

Hunterdon Central at Bridgewater-Raritan
Belvidere at Delaware Valley
Watchung Hills at North Hunterdon
Phillipsburg at Ridge
South Hunterdon at North Plainfield
Franklin at Voorhees
Montgomery at Warren Hills

Wednesday, Oct. 7

(All games 4 p.m.)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at Newton
Lenape Valley at Kittatinny

Thursday, Oct. 8

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Roxbury at Sparta

Skyland Conference

Voorhees at Delaware Valley
North Hunterdon at Hunterdon Central, 5:30 p.m.
Phillipsburg at Pingry
Bernards at South Hunterdon
Warren Hills at Bridgewater-Raritan, 3:45 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 10

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Jefferson at Hackettstown
High Point at Kittatinny
Wallkill Valley at Newton

Skyland Conference

Delaware Valley at South Hunterdon
Montgomery at North Hunterdon, 9:30 a.m.
Warren Hills at Phillipsburg, 11 a.m.
Voorhees at Bernards, 11:30 a.m.
Mount St. Mary at Belvidere, 1 p.m.

Wrestling: District, region realignment (statewide)

The 32 district and eight region alignments for 2020-21 and 2021-22 were released on Thursday following final approval by the NJSIAA Rules Committee.

As was first reported on Wednesday by Open Mike, Phillipsburg shifts back to Region 3, while North Hunterdon moves back to Region 4, joined by Delaware Valley and Voorhees.

According to New Jersey Wrestling Coaches Association president and West Morris coach Ken Rossi, host sites for districts and regions have yet to be determined. Phillipsburg, which hosted District 9 and District 13 the previous four seasons under realignment, is joined in District 10 by Belvidere and Hackettstown. Warren Hills is now in District 12.

High Point is once again housed in District 1.

North Hunterdon, coming off the program's first unbeaten campaign and a Group 4 state title, is joined by Voorhees in District 13, while Delaware Valley is in District 15. The Terriers have moved out of Region 5 for the first time since coming over from Region 1 in 2001.

High Point, last season's Group 2 state champion, is the only Sussex County school to stand alone in a district as the Wildcats are in District 1. Newton, Pope John and Sparta are in District 3, while Kittatinny, North Warren and Vernon-Wallkill Valley, a first-year co-op, is in District 4.

Lenape Valley and Hopatcong remain in Region 2 with both in District 8, while Hunterdon Central is the only local team in Region 5 as the Red Devils return to District 17.

Here's the complete list statewide with Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex schools in bold:

REGION 1

DISTRICT 1

• High Point 
• Cresskill
• Don Bosco Prep 
• Emerson-Park Ridge
• New Milford
• Pascack Hills
• Pascack Valley
• River Dell
• Tenafly
• Waldwick-Midland Park

DISTRICT 2

• Demarest
• Glen Rock
• Indian Hills
• Northern Highlands
• Old Tappan
• Ramapo
• Ramsey 
• Ridgewood
• St. Joseph-Montvale
• Westwood

DISTRICT 3

• Newton 
• Pope John
• Sparta
• Dumont
• Hawthorne
• Lakeland
• Mahwah
• Pequannock
• West Milford

DISTRICT 4

• Kittatinny
• North Warren
• Vernon-Wallkill Valley
• Butler
• Jefferson
• Kinnelon
• Manchester Regional
• Pompton Lakes
• Wayne Hills

REGION 2

DISTRICT 5

• Bergen Catholic
• Bogota-Ridgefield Park
• Clifton
• Dwight Morrow
• Elmwood Park
• Fort Lee
• Garfield
• Passaic
• Wayne Valley

DISTRICT 6

• Bergenfield
• Paterson Eastside
• Hackensack
• Paterson Kennedy
• Leonia-Palisades Park
• Paramus Catholic
• Passaic Tech
• Passaic Valley
• Teaneck
• West Essex

DISTRICT 7

• Boonton
• Montville
• Morris Catholic
• Morris Hills
• Morris Knolls
• Mountain Lakes 
• Parsippany
• Parsippany Hills
• Roxbury

DISTRICT 8

• Hopatcong 
• Lenape Valley
• DePaul
  
• Dover
• Fair Lawn
• Hasbrouck Heights
• Lodi
• Mount Olive
• Paramus
• Saddle Brook

REGION 3

DISTRICT 9

• Belleville
• Bloomfield
• Cedar Grove
• Cliffside Park
• Delbarton
• Hoboken
• Kearny
• Nutley
• Orange
• Union City

DISTRICT 10

• Belvidere
• Hackettstown
• Phillipsburg
• Columbia
• Glen Ridge
• Hanover Park
• Rutherford
• Verona
• Whippany Park

DISTRICT 11

• Barringer
• Livingston
• Lyndhurst-North Arlington
• Morristown
• Newark Academy
• Seton Hall Prep
• Weehawken
• West Morris
• West Orange
• Wood-Ridge 

DISTRICT 12

• Warren Hills
• Becton
• Caldwell
• East Orange
• Madison
• Mendham
• Montclair
• North Bergen
• Randolph
• Secaucus

REGION 4

DISTRICT 13

• North Hunterdon
• Voorhees
• Cranford
• Elizabeth
• Irvington
• Kennedy Iselin
• Millburn
• New Providence
• Rahway

DISTRICT 14

• Bound Brook
• Brearley-Dayton
• Newark East Side
• North Plainfield
• Plainfield
• Ridge
• Roselle Park
• South Plainfield
• Union

DISTRICT 15

• Delaware Valley
• Bernards
• Bridgewater-Raritan
• Colonia
• Governor Livingston
• Pingry
• Scotch Plains-Fanwood
• Summit-Chatham
• Watchung Hills
• Weequahic

DISTRICT 16

• AL Johnson 
• Bayonne 
• Carteret  
• JP Stevens       
• Linden             
• Newark Collegiate  
• St. Thomas Aquinas
• St. Peter's Prep          
• Somerville
• Westfield

REGION 5

DISTRICT 17

• Hunterdon Central
• Franklin
• Hillsborough
• Manville
• Montgomery
• Princeton
• Rutgers Prep
• St. John Vianney
• Sayreville
• West Windsor North

DISTRICT 18

• East Brunswick 
• Holmdel
• Hopewell Valley
• Manalapan
• New Brunswick
• North Brunswick
• South Brunswick
• South River 
• Spotswood

DISTRICT 19

• Edison 
• Marlboro
• Metuchen
• Middlesex-Dunellen
• Old Bridge
• Piscataway 
• Rumson-Fair Haven
• St. .Joseph-Metuchen
• Woodbridge

DISTRICT 20

• Highland Park
• Keansburg
• Keyport-Hudson
• Matawan
• Middletown North
• Middletown South
• Perth Amboy
• Raritan
• Red Bank Catholic
• Red Bank Regional

REGION 6

DISTRICT 21

• Christian Brothers Academy
• Hamilton West
• Jackson Liberty
• Lakewood
• Manasquan
• Ocean Township 
• Point Pleasant Boro
• St. Rose
• Steinert
• Toms River North

DISTRICT 22

• Allentown
• Bordentown-Florence
• Colts Neck
• Freehold Boro
• Howell
• New Egypt 
• Robbinsville
• Trenton Central
• Wall

DISTRICT 23

• Asbury Park
• Brick Memorial
• Brick Township
• Freehold Township
• Long Branch
• Monmouth
• Neptune
• Point Pleasant Beach
• Shore Regional

DISTRICT 24

• Burlington City    
• Ewing         
• Hightstown
• Jackson Memorial
• Lawrence
• Monroe Township      
• Northern Burlington  
• Notre Dame          
• Nottingham 
• West Windsor South     

REGION 7

DISTRICT 25

• Burlington County Tech
• Burlington Township
• Central Regional
• Donovan Catholic
• Lacey
• Manchester Township
• Southern
• Toms River East
• Toms River South

 DISTRICT 26

• Cinnaminson
• Delran
• Highland 
• Holy Cross
• Pemberton
• Rancocas Valley
• Riverside
• Seneca
• West Deptford
• Willingboro

 DISTRICT 27

• Camden Catholic
• Cherokee
• Cherry Hill East
• Cherry Hill West
• Lenape
• Maple Shade
• Palmyra
• Pennsauken
• Shawnee
• Triton Regional

 DISTRICT 28

• Audubon          
• Camden  
• Collingswood               
• Gloucester City
• Haddonfield      
• Haddon Heights            
• Haddon Township     
• Moorestown       
• Paulsboro           

REGION 8

DISTRICT 29

• Clearview
• Deptford
• Gateway-Woodbury
• Kingsway
• Paul VI-Haddonfield
• Pennsgrove
• Pitman
• Salem
• Sterling

 DISTRICT 30

• Buena
• Eastern
• Hammonton
• Lindenwold
• Overbrook
• St. Joseph-Hammonton
• Timber Creek
• Washington Township
• Williamstown
• Winslow Township

 DISTRICT 31

• Cedar Creek
• Clayton-Glassboro
• Delsea
• Holy Spirit
• Middle Township
• Millville
• Middle Township
• Pennsville
• Schalick-Cumberland
• Vineland
• Woodstown

 DISTRICT 32

• Absegami        
• Atlantic City         
• Barnegat      
• Egg Harbor Township      
• Lower Cape May      
• Mainland           
• Oakcrest            
• Ocean City         
• Pinelands       
• St. Augustine Prep  

Wrestling: P'burg back in R3; North returns to R4

The more things change the more they stay the same.

With the district and region alignments for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons set for final approval during the NJSIAA rules committe meeting on Thursday, Open Mike has learned that Phillipsburg will shift back to Region 3 -- where the Stateliners competed in 2017 and '18 under the first round of realignment -- after competing in Region 4 the past two seasons.

North won a District 20 title this past season.

In addition, North Hunterdon will move back to Region 4 at Union High School, along with Delaware Valley, which had been in Region 5 since 2001, to reunite with Voorhees. That leaves Hunterdon Central as the only remaining school from the county in Region 5.

Phillipsburg, which will be in a district with Hanover Park, is once again be paired with Belvidere, Hackettstown and Warren Hills in Region 3, which includes Delbarton and Seton Hall Prep, has been held at West Orange High School for many years, though P'burg has applied to host a region tournament in recent seasons.

The Stateliners won team titles in District 9 and District 13 the previous four seasons of realignment, the last two championships by an average margin of 148 points. In addition, coach Dave Post's teams advanced all 14 wrestlers to Region 4 last season, including nine district champions, and 12 out of that district, which housed eight other teams from Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties, in 2019. P'burg figures to be a host for District 10, which includes Belvidere and Hackettstown. Warren Hills will be in District 12 with Randolph serving as the host site.

As was the case in the previous four years of realignment, most of the Sussex County schools stay in Region 1 at West Milford, though High Point is the only school not in a district with a local team. Hopatcong and Lenape Valley stay in Region 2 at Mount Olive.

The executive committee voted unanimously in early May to adopt a new method to construct realignment for the district and region tournaments in 2020-21 and 2021-22. The new metric revolved around how the 32 power schools in the state were determined -- team power points over the previous two seasons instead of the three- and five-year averages used in previous years (75 percent) and individual performance (25 percent) or top 16 finishes at the state tournament.

Another key change was that a region can have no more than five teams or fewer than three of the power 32 schools. Once the power teams were determined and placed in regions according to their northing numbers, the remaining schools were snaked into districts. The top eight schools in each region could not move once placed in districts, but others in some cases were shifted depending on proximity to host schools. For instance, Delbarton (District 9), P'burg, Seton Hall Prep (District 11) and Mendham (District 12) were the top four power schools in Region 3, followed by Warren Hills, West Morris (District 11), Hanover Park (District 10) and Kearny (District 9).

Local change at the top

In somewhat of a surprise, Larry White announced on Monday that he will resign as executive director of the NJSIAA effective on June 30. On Wednesday, former South Hunterdon star athlete Colleen (McCrea) Maguire, who had previously served as the body's finance director, was named chief operating officer and will handle day-to-day affairs.

Maguire was a two-sport star in field hockey and girls basketball at South Hunterdon in the early 1990s. She is a Hall of Fame member at South and George Washington University, where she lettered all four seasons on the basketball court. Maguire is regarded as one of the best female basketball players ever produced in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area.

According to sources, Maguire was heavily involved in wrestling circles this past season, serving as a point person in discussions to move the state team championships to Rutgers for 2021.

Wrestling: New weights, realignment, HWS tidbits

Since we last convened in early March at Atlantic City, hopefully everyone has been staying inside and safe during this coronavirus pandemic. Considering our month-long quarantine, it's hard to believe we actually had a conclusion to the high school wrestling season.

The 87th State Championships were contested just in time.

With professional sports on hold and the increasing likelihood that New Jersey schools will be shut down for the rest of this school year, spring sports may not even get underway. It's also quite likely as things stand now that high school sports in the fall will at the very least be delayed somewhat. Let's hope we have a wrestling season come December, as all summer activities are in serious doubt, including the annual Pin Cancer match.

We are not going to open our schools back up until we are convinced by scientists and medical professionals that doing so would be safe for students and staff – and their families.

I will not rush this. I cannot.

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 21, 2020

Needless to say that this shutdown has presented a challenge for coaches and athletes as they try to implement some sort of offseason regiment. Phillipsburg coach Dave Post, a mathematics teacher at the Warren County school, has been taking part in video conferencing sessions, including meetings with state officials in his role as secretary for the New Jersey Wrestling Coaches Association. Post hopes some of his program's traditional offseason dates, including the Lycoming Camp, will still take place. That team camp experience is even more important now given that wrestlers and coaches can not be together in person.

"Lycoming Camp and 1,000 Islands Duals are the two biggest events for us," said Post, who said his program's high school schedule for 2020-21, which includes a return trip to the season-opening Dvorak Tournament in Illinois, is nearly complete. The Stateliners will enter next season sitting on 990 wins.

Realignment update

It's that time again where realignment of districts and regions is upon us and many around the state are eager to see the configurations for the next two seasons. There were no official announcements following Monday's meeting, but it seems that coaches have been gathering information and authoring proposals behind the scenes.

One proposal factoring in power points (75 percent) and returning top 12 finishes in AC (25 percent) has leaked out, but don't expect anything definitive for at least a few months. The major hangups this time center around geography and Non-Public strength in the north. Scattering of those Non-Public powers throughout the state is a strong possibility. I have heard the second realignments for 2018-19 and 2019-20, which made even less sense than the first set the previous two seasons, strictly from a geographic standpoint, was not a big hit with several NJSIAA officials and even less so with South Jersey coaches.

Up north, the dominance of Bergen Catholic (Region 2), Delbarton (Region 3), St. Joseph-Montvale and Pope John (Region 1), along with Don Bosco Prep (Region 1), St. Peter's Prep and Seton Hall (Region 4), and where to house those top-ranked programs has been a major issue. In South Jersey, the travel is a bigger deal to some with fewer parochial powers outside of Camden Catholic and St. Augustine.

Interestingly, the medal count in Atlantic City in four of the previous seasons before the second realignment was more evenly distributed than the last two tournaments as these numbers show:

Region	2020	2019	2018	2017	Total
1	18	20	16	10	64
2	18	21	19	20	78
3	13	16	14	14	57
4	6	10	9	15	40
5	15	13	14	17	59
6	12	5	14	8	39
7	18	21	12	10	61
8	12	6	14	18	50

Region	2016	2015	2014	2013	Total
1	17	16	13	12	58
2	21	24	16	16	77
3	11	12	14	18	55
4	14	12	13	12	51
5	17	12	17	15	61
6	12	20	18	15	65
7	8	7	11	13	39
8	12	9	10	11	42

Also, the numbers are pretty close across the previous eight seasons in six regions, with the numbers basically flipping in Regions 6 and 7 during the realignments. Stay tuned for more on this issue.

New weights a done deal?

It seems as if all discussions regarding the reduction of weight classes is at hand. Reportedly, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) recently reviewed and voted to adopt one of several proposals with 13 weights, down one, from the 14 classes we've had since the 2011-12 season. Since New Jersey usually follows NFHS guidelines, it would seem a change is on the way for the Garden State. The NFHS is expected to make an announcement, along with a few other rules changes, in the coming week.

Current weight classes: 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220 and 285.

One proposed version: 107, 114, 121, 128, 134, 140, 146, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215 and 285.

If the one above is adopted, the only big news here is the elimination of the 182-pound class, which is a good thing as there were far too many upper weights. Three weights -- 152, 160 and 285 -- remain the same with minor tweaks to the other 10 classes. One fair argument to be made is that 107 (109 when the two-pound allowance kicks in) hurts the little guy in the sport, say one who weighs around 100. Perhaps 105 would be a better number? Going back to 13 weights also eliminates the need for criteria to break ties for dual meets. I'm sure (not really) we will all miss seeing a match decided on most first points scored.

Back points

Here are some discussions and changes for next season resulting from recent meetings of state officials and Region presidents.

Rutgers will be the new host for next season's Group championships after stints in Trenton and Toms River. It's just a matter of ironing out some details as the RAC was originally set to host just the state championship matches and not the semifinals. But since the arena can get six mats down that should no longer an issue. As we first reported back in March, there were discussions of possibly tweaking the sectional schedules to double up on Monday and have the finals on Wednesday, with the Group semifinals on Friday at the higher seeds.

Elimination of the Wednesday round for all eight regions, mostly from a travel standpoint, along with the addition two seasons ago of a girls tournament on that Sunday. This one has yet to be voted on, but from what I've been told it has a slim chance of passing. A Friday and Saturday schedule would eliminate the one benefit to winning a district title -- since criteria for region seeding places more of an emphasis on past advancement -- in getting a night off from competition as seconds and thirds compete in that traditional Wednesday round. Coaches will be sent surveys to vote on the potential elimination of Wednesday's round at regions and Group 5 for next season.

Greg Tufaro with the John Vogeding Media Award in March.

Loyal Open Mike readers know how much I despise wrestling first-, third- and fifth-place matches simultaneously on three mats at regions, which most have been doing since realignment began four seasons ago. Now, by a 7-1 vote, all eight regions will do so starting in 2021. It's bad enough that Region 1 at West Milford doesn't even take the time to properly recognize the placewinners center mat at each weight class -- Wallkill Valley always did a nice job of this -- as the wrestlers ascend a podium that's tucked away in a back corner of the gym. Not a good look to say the least.

The need for allowing teams to split their squad will apparently have to wait another year as it was inexplicably left of the agenda at a recent rules committee meeting. It would give schools the option to send their top wrestlers to events like the Beast of the East and the rest to another tournament. That's a win-win as plenty of public schools lose kids out of the youth program simply because they don't attend those big events. Most coaches don't want to risk losing inexperienced wrestlers for the sake of a placating few studs. That's not the way to build a program.

Last season's Patriot Duals at North Warren were a big success with North Hunterdon (Group 4 champion), High Point (Group 2 champion) and West Essex (Group 3 runner-up) all in attendance. North Warren coach Kellen Bradley said he is looking to add Group 5 champion Southern to the mix. Locally, Warren Hills has opted out of next season's event as the Blue Streaks ran into match limit issues in 2019-20. Coach Dave Sbriscia also said his team already wrestles Skyland Conference foe North Hunterdon in a dual meet, while Warren Hills and High Point have discussed potential dates for a match that would also involve a girls dual.

Newton coach Eric Bollette recently submitted a request to the NJSIAA for a one-year waiver regarding the one tournament per week rule. The Braves are slated to compete in the John Goles Invitational (Dec. 28) and their own Boresch Duals (Jan. 2), but since Christmas falls on a Friday in 2020, these events will be held in the same week. North Hunterdon also is among the roughly 30 schools facing this same prospect. Let's hope the state does the right thing here so both don't have to pull out of the John Goles.

Long overdue is the recognition of this year's John Vogeding Award recipient for excellence in media. Greg Tufaro, an all-around good guy and founding member of the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Top 20, was honored during Thursday's session in Atlantic City. Tufaro has earned the respect of many in the wrestling community for his hard work and dedication to the sport. You can check out his work at mycentraljersey.com.