Coach: Beth Franceschino (fifth season of second stint, 49-24-5).
2017 record: 14-6, 8-2 (first place Skyland Conference Mountain Division).
Key returnees: F Maddie Call (10 goals, 6 assists), sr.; F Abby Bronico (16 goals), sr.; F Angie Santini (9 goals), sr.; MF-D Mallory Keenan, sr.; GK Anya Logan (10 shutouts), sr.; MF-D Melanie Clark (4 goals), sr.; MF-D Sam Dultz, sr.; F Olivia Zmyewski (7 goals, 6 assists), so.; MF Isabella Serra, jr.
Key losses: D Sam Bittenbender; MF Alex Navarra; D Marietta McCray.
Top newcomers: MF Jackie Richardson, sr.; MF-D Kinsey Lockard, so.; MF Jordan Yeisley, so.; D Morgan Lapshanski, jr.; D Abby Thornton, so.
Outlook: County Seaters are coming off four straight winning seasons, winning division titles in three of the past four years and making three straight appearances in the North 1, Group 1 semifinals where last season ended with a tough 2-1 overtime loss to champion Wallkill Valley. The offense is led by Bronico and Call up front, as they anchor a unit that produced 51 goals in '17. Defensively, Logan is one of the area's top goalkeepers with a solid backfield in front of her. With most of last year's team returning, expect this group to again challenge for titles in '18.
Delaware Valley Terriers
Coach: Stephanie Rifflard (eighth season, 63-60-7).
2017 record: 14-4-1, 8-2 (second place Skyland Conference Valley Division).
Key returnees: F Kristen Bill (7 goals, 4 assists), so.; F Megan Donnelly (10 goals, 12 assists), sr.; MF Madeline Bill (9 goals, 13 assists), jr.; F Kelsey O'Connor (10 goals), sr.; F-MF Madison Scott (6 goals), sr.; D Megan Bill, sr.; D Clare Nugent, sr.
Key losses: MF Sarah Babcock (4 goals, 7 assists); D Rachel Orrico; MF Jillian Ethern (4 goals); GK Ellis Stanton (6 shutouts).
Top newcomers: D-MF Rachel McIntyre, fr.; MF-D Kaleigh Higgins, jr.; F Debbie Nalesnik, jr.; GK Shea Cinquemani, jr.
Outlook: Terriers, are coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory, winning 13 of their first 14 games and reaching the North 2, Group 2 semifinals, where the season ended with an 8-1 loss to powerhouse Madison. Offensively, this group should be in good shape with Donnelly and O'Connor coming off 10-goal seasons, along with Kristen Bill, who had an excellent freshman campaign. But the defense, which will feature a new goalkeeper and struggled against top-flight teams last year, will be key to challenging for the division title and making another deep postseason run.
Hackettstown Tigers
Coach: Stephen Speirs (ninth season, 95-56-3).
2017 record: 15-5, 5-1 (first place NJAC Freedom Division).
Key returnees: F Jordan Vandermark (12 goals, 8 assists), sr.; MF Madison Hoskins (11 goals, 17 assists), sr.; MF Kayla Cichlar (19 goals, 5 assists), sr.; F Ashley Zellars (12 goals, 6 assists), sr.; D Megan Baker, sr.; MF Sierra Castiglia, sr.; MF Jessica Scheper, sr.; F Kyleigh Dawson (8 goals), sr.; GK Bridget Kenny (7 shutouts), sr.; MF Madison Trotter, jr.; D Melanie Luke, jr.; F Megan Doyle (6 goals), so.
Key losses: MF Kayla Nicholls; MF Lexie Castellano.
Top newcomers: F Madison Billows, so.; F Sydney Smith, so.; GK Sophia Mallozzi, jr.; MF Andrea McMahon, so.; MF Amy Wood, fr.
Outlook: Tigers are primed to make a run at their fourth straight division title and will look to avenge back-to-back sectional final losses after the 2017 season ended with a 5-0 loss to Group 2 champion Rumson-Fair Haven. This year's group again features a balanced offense that produced 74 goals for an average of nearly four per game. Vandermark, Hoskins, Zellars and Cichar were again the team's top four scorers last year. Castiglia and Baker again will anchor the defense. This is a talented group that should challenge for its first Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament title and make another deep run in the playoffs, though moving back to North 1, Group 2 puts it back in the same section with perennial power West Essex. Tigers will open the season with a huge test at Madison.
Hunterdon Central Red Devils
Coach: Jenn Sponzo (20th season, 271-135-17).
2017 record: 15-7-1, 9-4-1 (second place Skyland Conference Delaware Division).
Key returnees: F Rachel Stone (9 goals), jr.; MF Emily Bill, sr.; GK Gabby Puskas (5 shutouts), sr.; F Alyssa Magliaro (3 goals), sr.; F Sammy Freeman (3 goals, 4 assists), jr.
Key losses: F Brittany Bill (18 goals, 20 assists); F Emily Brandt (12 goals); F Kali Huck (8 goals, 5 assists); F Colleen Barrett (10 goals, 6 assists); D Lauren Howarth; MF Nikki Peppe; MF Alexa Zubalake.
Top newcomers: D Lauren Nawrotzki, sr.; D Jenna Dugan, sr.; F Rose Patrick, sr.; F Ashleigh Paulik, jr.; MF Sarah Woods, so.
Outlook: Red Devils, who won back-to-back North 2, Group 4 titles in 2012 and '13, have ended the four seasons since with losses to nemesis Bridgewater in the sectional final, including a 3-2 loss in last year's title game. We could be heading for another rematch at season's end. The offense could be a work in progress to start the year as the unit graduated players who scored 53 of the 69 goals last season. Defensively, Puskas returns for a second year of full-time duties in the cage. Central, which is two years removed from its only Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex title, is always well coached, so expect this young team to grow in a hurry and be a major headache for other contending teams.
North Hunterdon Lions
Coach: Maria Bachert (second season, 2-17).
2017 record: 2-17, 1-14 (T-fifth place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).
Key returnees: GK Caroline Petrie, sr.; F Emma Landis, jr.; MF Grace Palahnuk, jr.; D Molly Parsons, jr.; MF Caroline Witte, sr.; F Sana Sarker, jr.; D Maria Ricciardi, sr.; D Maeve Plassche, sr.; D Rachel Teets, jr.
Key losses: F Becca Baucom (10 goals); MF Lexi Poniatowski (3 goals); D Lauren Wagner.
Outlook: Lions have gone 43-157-5 over the previous 10 seasons and haven't won more than three games in a season since 2010. Bachert, a former head coach at Watchung Hills, inherited a program that went 7-65-3 from 2013-16 and upped the win total her first season in charge after back-to-back one-win campaigns. The rebuilding, as always, starts with offense, as last year's unit scored 16 goals after consecutive nine-goal seasons, so that was a positive step. Defensively, Petrie is back for her second year of full-time duties in the cage and is one a player to watch this season, according to Bachert. This unit will have to tighten up to improve on the wins total after yielding 85 goals in '17 and 76 in '16.
North Warren Patriots
Coach: Brian Gravatt (fourth season, 15-39-2).
2017 record: 5-14, 2-4 (third place NJAC Colonial Division).
Key returnees: MF Dani Towey (3 goals), sr.; F Lauren Cooke, sr.; F Drew Benzaia, sr.; D Rachel Eitner, sr.; MF Jules Metzgar, jr.; D Kat Grogan, jr.; MF Kaley Wohlers, sr.; D Claire Merkler, sr.; D Jackie Houck, sr.; MF Allie Shramko, jr.; GK Kristen DeSanto, jr.; MF Maddie Allen, so.; MF Alexis Ashton, so.
Key losses: F Julia Wetzel; F Sydney Janiero (4 goals, 3 assists); GK Mackenzie Cyr (3 shutouts).
Top newcomers: MF Alexis Wohlers, so.; MF Heather Kemper, so.; D Erin Dimaio, so.; MF Kerry Castles, so.
Outlook: Patriots are coming off three straight five-win seasons since going 10-9-1 in 2014, the program's first winning campaign in recent memory. The offense is again a major concern after last year's team scored just 14 goals -- which doubled the total in '16 -- including eight in two wins vs. Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg (Pa.). There are experienced players returning on the forward line and in the midfield, however. The defense, which allowed 55 goals last season, has a new goalkeeper, but plenty of experience in the backfield to help out. Expect this to be another rebuilding season, unless the offense shows marked improvement.
Phillipsburg Stateliners
Coach: Toni Popinko (second season, 10-11-1).
2017 record: 10-11-1, 6-8-1 (third place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).
Key returnees: MF Gabby Dudek (11 goals, 5 assists), sr.; F Emily Yanes (6 goals), sr.; D Carson Drake, jr.; F Allison Devlin (6 goals, 4 assists), so.; MF Morgan Cherry, so.; D Morgan Barna, jr.
Outlook: Stateliners went from four wins to 10 with Popinko, a former star player at Warren Hills and University of Delaware, and the improvement hinged with a more consistent offense. After the goals totals dropped from 44 in 2015 to 24 in '16, last year's group scored 46. The unit again will be anchored by Dudek, a Wagner College recruit. Yanes and Devlin will help up front. Defensively, the challenge will be replacing Viscione (now at Mercy College), who did a fine job during her first full-time role in the cage a year ago. Drake will anchor the backfield. If the defense holds steady, this a team that could surprise this season and make another deep postseason run after winning five of its last nine, while dropping a 3-0 decision to Morristown in the North 1, Group 4 semifinals in '17.
South Hunterdon Eagles
Coach: Stephanie Davis (fifth season, 35-36-2).
2017 record: 6-10, 5-5 (second place Skyland Conference Mountain Division).
Key returnees: MF Alana Catanzareti, jr.; GK Kerry Coleman (5 shutouts), sr.; D Nicole Costantini, sr.; F-MF Jada Kauth, sr.; F Ashley Lucarini, jr.; MF Sophia Petrucci, sr.; F Chandler Storcella (6 goals), so.; MF Rebecca Phillips, so.; D Jenna Godown, sr.; D-MF Tia Fleming, jr.
Top newcomers: F Skyler Badessa, fr.; F-MF Bianca Gambino, fr.; D Sofia Gambino, fr.; F-MF Zoe Horan, fr.; GK Tiernan Swayhoover, fr.
Outlook: Eagles slipped back under .500 following back-to-back winning seasons. Offense was a major problem last season with 20 goals, down nine from 2016. Storcella figures to play a bigger role this season after scoring six goals as a freshman. There is also plenty of experience in the midfield. Defensively, Coleman was solid during her first varsity season in the cage, allowing two goals or fewer in nine games. This group will go as the offense does and will unlikely challenge Belvidere in the division race, but there is enough returning talent to improve on last season's wins total.
Voorhees Vikings
Coach: Shannon Hughes (first season).
2017 record: 14-6, 12-3 (second place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).
Key returnees: F Cassie Boyce (13 goals, 15 assists), jr.; F Brooke Hyland (13 goals), jr.; MF Madison Ogorzalek (5 assists), jr.; MF Lauren Kokoskie (3 goals), jr.; GK Courtney Wellet (8 shutouts), jr.; D Grace Schiavo, so.
Key losses: D Sarah Matyas (9 goals, 4 assists); MF Laura Chen (14 goals, 8 assists); F Erin Shaw (16 goals, 7 assists).
Top newcomers: GK Noelle Gabrish, so.; D Sadie Eichlin, fr.; D Arielle DeTorres, so.
Outlook: The big offseason news was former star player Taylor Webb abruptly resigning after last season. The Vikings went 112-32-4 during her tenure the past seven seasons and continued their rich winning tradition. Hughes, a former standout at South Plainfield and a recent Rider University graduate, has the immediate challenge of guiding one of New Jersey's premiere programs. A run of three straight division titles was snapped a year ago and the Vikes were ousted by state powerhouse Rumson-Fair Haven, 7-0, in the North 2, Group 2 semifinals. Boyce and Hyland are coming off huge offensive seasons and will anchor which should be a pretty solid unit again. Ogorzalek and Kokoskie are solid players in the midfield. Defense, which is usually a hallmark of this program, is a bit of a question mark with the loss of Wellet, who tore her ACL in the preseason. If that group can come together, expect this team to make its usual run at division and county titles, but the section is brutal with Rumson-Fair Haven (Group 2 champion) and Madison (Group 1 runner-up) the teams to beat. Speaking of tough, Voorhees hosts Warren Hills (Group 3 runner-up) in the season opener on Tuesday.
Warren Hills Blue Streaks
Coach: Josie Potter (second season, 24-3).
2017 record: 24-3, 15-0 (first place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).
Key returnees: F Samantha Dugan (17 goals, 14 assists), jr.; D Ashley Moskal (3 goals, 6 assists), so.; D Kate Fenner, jr.; D Liz Schlaffer, so.; MF Sarah Korczukowski (5 goals, 4 assists), so.; MF Paulina Georgoutsos (4 goals), jr.; GK Julia Webber, jr.
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| Warren Hills celebrates its Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex title in '17. |
Top newcomers: F Maddie Summitt, fr.; D Emily Devorsky, fr.; D Maria Iacampo, sr.; F Olivia Chomut, so.; MF Kylie Compton, so.; F Simryn Desai, so.; F Julianna Valli, so.; F Jenna Wyckoff, so.; GK Emily Schlessinger, so.
Outlook: Blue Streaks, with just three returning starters, are a young, but talented group this season. They are coming off a program record for wins -- its seventh straight 20-win season -- and tying a program mark 19-game win streak that was snapped with a tough 6-1 loss to Moorestown in the Group 3 final -- the school's second straight finals loss after winning back-to-back titles in 2014 and '15. The graduation losses, especially on offense, were heavy. Dugan returns on the forward line and will move to the right wing spot, while blue-chipper Summitt starts at left wing, with Wyckoff at center forward. The biggest question is on defense, which has been an issue the past two seasons. Webber, who saw limited varsity action last season, and Schlessinger are vying for the starting job in the cage. Devorsky, another super talented freshman, joins Moskal, who was a star right away last season in the backfield, along with Fenner, as they form a strong group in front of whoever emerges as the goalie. Unfortunately, junior Jess DeSanto, a starting back last year, did not come out this season. Expect this team to grow in a hurry and challenge again for multiple titles, including an eighth straight sectional championship.
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