High Point Wildcats
Coach: Bev Keur (23rd season, 329-117-15 over three stints)
2012 record: 18-4-1, 13-0 (first place NJAC American Division)
Key returnees: F Carly Satter (6 goals, 9 assists), sr.; MF Michaela O'Hern, sr.; F Brittany DeLima (9 goals), sr.; F Alexis Ambrosino (12 goals), jr.; F Rachel Orr (7 assists), jr.; F Tierney Clark, jr.; MF Kristen English, jr.; F Maddie Smith (5 assists), so.; MF Annelise Malgieri, sr.; D Caitlin Slate, sr.; F Victoria Hennion, jr.; D Danielle Price, jr.; GK Autumn Smith, jr.
Key losses: F Darby Smith (25 goals, 47 last two years); F Maureen Gill; D Michaela Macken; D Danielle Stetzel; GK Erin Williams.
Top newcomers: F Gabrielle Doyle, sr.; F Brittany Leuthe, sr.; D Kaitlyn Mauriello, sr.; F Ashley Papa, sr.; D Devon Richards, sr.; F Anne Zukowski, sr.; D Samantha Havens, jr.; D Lexa Sabo, jr.
Outlook: Wildcats maintained their winning ways and division dominance (40 straight wins) despite the loss of 13 seniors and eight starters from 2011. Compared to two years ago, the losses were minimal from a year ago with the graduation of five starters, though the departure of Smith (school's all-time leading scorer) is huge from an offensive standpoint. Satter, Ambrosino and DeLima, along with Orr, give the 'Cats some potent weapons on the forward line. Keur's teams always play strong defense, 13 shutouts last season, so that unit must keep the pressure off A. Smith, who saw action in 13 games last season. This group is looking to make a fourth straight run to the sectional final, though the North 1, Group 2 section got even tougher with the addition of state power Voorhees this season.
Kittatinny Cougars
Coach: Emily Murray (first season).
2012 record: 3-11-2, 3-9-2 (sixth place NJAC Freedom Division)
Key returnees: D Dana Yanvary, jr.; MF Sunshine Karns, jr.; F Melissa Toye, jr.
Key losses: F Sam Hennet; F Lyle Freeman; F Megan Calascibetta; GK Sydney Hennet.
Top newcomers: F Amanda Dempsy, sr.; F-MF Maureen Douglas, so.; F Lindsey Gorab, sr.; MF Heidi Jackman, sr.; D Carly Kandell, sr.; MF-D Maddie Lacken, sr.; MF Jenn Makarevich, jr.; D Lindsay McKim, jr.; F Brianna McNeel, sr.; GK Carly Palmer, so.; GK Julia Pevarnik, jr.; F-MF Holly Reznik, so.; D Jenn Smalley, so.
Outlook: Its been a struggle for the Cougars over the last five seasons -- going 22-39-6 over that span under former coach Heather Grimm-Reynolds. Murray inherits a program that scored 15 goals last season (nine in two wins over North Warren) and lost 14 goals to graduation. Toye is the only returning player with a varsity goal, while Karns had one assist in 2012. Needless to say, finding players to step up on the offensive end will be a priority. Yanvary returns to help anchor a defense that will have a new goalkeeper in the cage. Expect this to be another rebuilding year.
Lenape Valley Patriots
Coach: Kate Rothman (third season, 5-28-2)
2012 record: 2-15-1, 0-13-1 (eighth place NJAC Freedom Division)
Key returnees: F-MF Sally Olson, jr.; F Alyssa Falleni, jr.; F Kassidy Forik, jr.; MF Isabelle Becker, jr.; D Julia Leyden, jr.; D Lex Tambasco, sr.; MF Courtney Scherr, sr..
Key losses: F Aurora Eckstein; GK Jeannine Lubin.
Top newcomers: F Hollis Smith, so.; GK Flo Lubin, jr.; D Kristin Raffery, fr.
Outlook: Patriots have taken their lumps in Rothman's first two seasons at the helm. Offensively, last year's group totaled six goals in 18 games after scoring just 10 goals in 17 games the previous year. That's 16 goals in 35 games, making it difficult to win games. Lenape is counting on junior captain Olson and Falleni, who has scored four goals the last two seasons. Defensively, the Pats will have a new starter in the cage. If the Pats can score goals, expect some improvement with nearly all of last year's starters returning this fall.
Newton Braves
Coach: Lisa Bechtel (24th season, 339-112-10)
2012 record: 10-8, 9-5 (third place NJAC Freedom Division)
Key returnees: F Katherine Kellenberger (10 assists), sr,; F Melissa Bencivenga (6 assists), sr.; D Paige Zawislak, sr.; MF Christine Miserindino, sr.; MF Hannah Every, so.
Key losses: F-MF Melanie Rudio (10 goals, 14 assists); MF Steph Mocerino; D Emily Ventura; GK Audrey Kelly.
Top newcomers: GK Jenna Zawislak, jr.; MF Jordan Coiro, so,; F Brianna Schumann, fr.; MF Natalie Rivas, fr.; MF-D Sara Smith, jr.; F Sara Parks, jr.
Outlook: Despite an improved overall and league record last season, the Braves dropped a spot in the standings. Last year's group started 5-1, but went just 5-7 after losing 2011 leading scorer Rudio to a season-ending knee injury. Kellenberger shifts from the midfield to forward and will be counted on to lead the offense, which doesn't feature any other player that scored last season. The defense, which is usually solid, will have a new goalie in Jenna Zawislak. Expect the Braves to struggle against some of the tougher teams on the schedule.
Pope John Lions
Coach: Gina DiMaio (second season, 11-6-2; 134-76-17 overall in 10 seasons with stints at Hackettstown and Newark Academy)
2012 record: 11-6-2, 9-3-1 (third place NJAC American Division)
Key returnees: MF Sarah Bramley (6 goals), jr. F Molly Romania (4 goals), jr.; MF Taylor Bailey, jr.; D Baylee Vozza, jr.; D Sarah Gonzalez, jr.; GK Sam Scalabrini (7 shutouts), jr.
Key losses: F Lydia Hoff (7 goals); F Rachel Spetz (12 goals); F Beth Dauer; D Elizabeth Frye.
Top newcomers: F Taylor Ross, fr.; MF Danielle Grello, fr.; D Izzy Hilling, so.
Outlook: Lions had a nice rebound season a year ago after finishing 7-11 in 2011. This fall could be another challenging season with the loss of eight players, including four to graduation. Scalabrini returns to help anchor the defense, along with Vozza, the team's Defensive MVP. The offense, which was improved last year, is a big question mark, especially with the losses of Spetz and Hoff (who combined for 19 of the Lions' 39 goals in '12). DiMaio has an excellent coaching staff with the additions of two of her former players at Hackettstown, Sierra DiMaio (Gina's daughter) and Heather Kozimor. The Lions will be well coached, so expect improvement by season's end.
Sparta Spartans
Coach: Kristin Savasta (second season, 5-11)
2012 record: 5-11, 4-18 (fifth place NJAC American Division)
Key returnees: F Julia Silvestri, jr.; D Liz Anderson, sr.; F Aly Matchett, sr.; GK Julia Keenan, sr.; D Kelly Faria, sr.; F Gretchen Bowie, so.; F Rhett Curran, so.
Key losses: MF Maya Drummond; F Lauren Hunt; F Maggie DePaul; MF Lauren Fabiano; MF Sam Mornhineway; D Mia Finkle.
Top newcomers: F Emily McGuckin; F Alex Curran; F Kelly Nam; F Abby Tracey; MF Shannon Monahan; MF Nicole Gerardiello; D Jaime Mead; D Elise Meyer; D Bianca Cocozziello.
Outlook: After going 3-45-2 over the previous three seasons, the Spartans posted five wins in Savasta's first season at the helm after an 0-16 campaign in 2011. Scoring will be a priority. After a total of two goals in '11, the offense produced 19 last season. Bowie totaled five goals as a freshman, and came into camp in great shape according to her coach, so she will be the leader of this year's unit. Defensively, Keenan returns in the cage after registering an 83 percent saves percentage a year ago. Expect the Spartans to keep progressing with healthy numbers in the program.
Vernon Vikings
Coach: Hollyce Schoepp (fourth season, 29-27-1)
2012 record: 4-12, 4-9 (sixth place NJAC American Division)
Key returnees: MF Julie Cacace, sr.; D Regina Incarnato, jr.; D Demi Matthews, sr.; F Julia Hammerton, sr.; MF Miranda Logan, sr.
Key losses: F Rachel Colvin (7 goals); F Kim Leung; F Sam Fernot; GK Clara Mikaeil.
Top newcomers: F Lindsay Verrico, so.; F Emily Garofalo, so.; D McKenzie Alter, fr.
Outlook: After a predicted rebuilding year for a team that won 15 games in 2011, the Vikings are almost certainly expected to have a repeat in 2013. Cacace, a three-year starter, is one of the top players in the tri-county area, but she's more of a defensive specialist. Colvin, Leung and Fernot combined for 18 of the team's 25 goals last season. Logan is the lone returnee with at least three goals from a year ago, so putting the ball in the cage may be a tough task this fall. Defensively, this group should be OK, though goalie is a question mark.
Wallkill Valley Rangers
Coach: Irene Chernati (28th season, 347-172-7)
2012 record: 13-6-2, 10-3-1 (second place NJAC Freedom)
Key returnees: F Casey Pustelniak, sr.; F Barbara Hannan, sr.; MF Katelynn Higgins, sr.; MF Emma Chick, sr.; D Courtney Berado, sr.; MF Erica McNaulty, so.
Key losses: F Andreanna Nordland; GK Emily Stukenborg (12 shutouts); D Olivia Ganz; F Kylee Kulsar; D Rachel Fiedler.
Top newcomers: F Laura David, jr.; MF Meg Good, jr.; F Katherine Readmond, jr.; F Olivia Shea, sr.; GK Carly DeOliviera, jr.; GK Merinda Gruszeski, jr.; D Casey Murphy, jr.; F Celena Persuad, so.; F Leah Struble, so.; D Lindsay Scriffiano, fr.; F Danielle Seabeck, fr.
Outlook: Rangers are two years removed from a division title and made a run to the North 1, Group 2 quarterfinals last season -- beating Westwood, 1-0, in the opening round before being ousted by state power West Essex, 8-0. Offense, which was a struggle last season as the unit scored a total of 17 goals, will again be a question mark. Pustelniak and Hannan had three goals apiece a year ago to lead the team. Defensively, the biggest loss is Stukenborg, a four-year starter and one of the top goalies in county history, who is now starting at Stevens Institute in Hoboken. Chernati is an excellent coach, so this group has a good chance to be successful and the schedule makes approaching last year's win total a reasonable goal.
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