Coach: Beth Franceschino (sixth season of second stint, 62-30-6).
2018 record: 13-6-1, 6-2-1 (second place Skyland Conference Mountain Division).
Key returnees: F Olivia Zmyewski (9 goals, 6 assists), jr.; MF Isabella Sera (3 goals), sr.; D Kinsey Lockard, jr.; MF Jordan Yeisley, jr.; F Ashleigh Harrison, sr.; F Kyleigh Sturm, sr.; F-MF Hailey Rowe, sr.; MF Emma Dalrymple, so.
Key losses: F Maddie Call (10 goals, 10 assists); F Abby Bronico (10 goals, 4 assists); MF-D Mallory Keenan (12 goals, 4 assists); GK Anya Logan (10 shutouts); F Angie Santini (7 goals); D Melanie Clark; D Sam Dultz.
Top newcomers: F Marianna Crisafulli, jr.; F-MF Nora Dornich, so.; D Autumn Banghart, so.; GK Alyssa Rudd, sr.; GK Keira Gately, sr.
Outlook: County Seaters are coming off five straight winning seasons, winning division titles in three of the past five years, and reaching its first sectional final since 1996 last season -- losing a heartbreaker, 1-0 in overtime, to Newton in the North 1, Group 1 final. That loss came after three straight defeats in the semifinals, including an OT setback at champion Wallkill Valley in '17. The offense, which sustained heavy graduation losses, will be counting on Zmyewski to lead the group. Replacing Logan, one of the top goalkeepers in the area, will be the biggest challenge, and should require a group effort in front of either Rudd or Gately to keep opposing offenses at bay. This is shaping up to be a bit of a rebuilding year, but expect this team to improve by season's end.
Delaware Valley Terriers
Coach: Stephanie Rifflard (ninth season, 74-67-7).
2018 record: 11-7, 7-3 (second place Skyland Conference Valley Division).
Key returnees: F Kristen Bill (10 goals), jr.; MF Madeline Bill (10 goals, 8 assists), sr.; D-MF Rachel McIntyre, so.; MF Kaleigh Higgins (7 goals), sr.; F Debbie Nalesnik (4 goals, 4 assists), sr.; GK Shea Cinquemani (8 shutouts), sr.
Key losses: F Megan Donnelly (8 goals, 9 assists); F Kelsey O'Connor (5 goals); F-MF Madison Scott (4 goals); D Megan Bill (5 defensive saves); D Clare Nugent (6 defensive saves).
Top newcomers: MF-D Natalie Heiser, fr.
Outlook: After reaching the North 2, Group 2 semifinals in 2017, Terriers fell a round earlier last season with a 1-0 loss to Johnson in the quarters. Offensively, this year's group should be in good shape with leading scorer Madeline Bill and Kristen Bill leading way. The defense really stepped up last season in Cinquemani's first season in the cage, allowing 20 goals, including six in the season opener against division champion Bernards, otherwise the unit yielded one goal or fewer in 15 games. That's a formula for success again this season with a schedule that once again looks loaded with winnable games.
Hackettstown Tigers
Coach: Rachael Gorski (first season).
2018 record: 19-3-1, 8-0 (first place NJAC Freedom Division).
Key returnees: F Megan Doyle (11 goals, 7 assists), jr.; MF-D Melanie Luke, sr.; GK Sophia Mallozzi (7 shutouts), sr.; F Madison Billows, sr.; F Sydney Smith, sr.; D Maya Hassan, sr.
Key losses: MF Madison Trotter (out for season, ACL injury), sr.; F Jordan Vandermark (8 goals, 8 assists); MF Madison Hoskins (18 goals, 22 assists); MF Kayla Cichlar (17 goals, 8 assists); F Ashley Zellars (10 goals, 4 assists); D Megan Baker; MF Sierra Castiglia (4 assists); MF Jessica Scheper (15 goals, 5 assists); F Kyleigh Dawson (5 goals); GK Bridget Kenny (x shutouts).
Top newcomers: MF Amy Wood, so.; D Adriana Beam, jr.; MF Christina Siek, jr.; F Emma Patton, so.; F Aaisha Taha, fr.; F Ali Cetani, fr.
Outlook: Gorski knows she's facing a tall order in taking over for Stephen Speirs, who guided the Tigers to an overall mark of 114-59-4 the previous nine seasons, including division titles the previous four years, and the program's first Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex title in 2018, which ended with a 4-0 loss to West Essex in the North 1, Group 2 sectional final -- the program's third straight finals defeat. This year's group will be young and fairly inexperienced, with the loss of nine seniors, including six playing in college, and heavy graduation losses on the offensive end. The Tigers were dealt a severe blow when Trotter, a three-year letterwinner and an anchor in the midfield, went down with a season-ending knee injury during the spring. This will be a rebuilding year no doubt, but there is talent still here and on the way.
Hunterdon Central Red Devils
Coach: Jenn Sponzo (21st season, 285-139-18).
2018 record: 14-4-1, 11-2-1 (second place Skyland Conference Delaware Division).
Key returnees: MF Sammy Freeman (15 goals, 12 assists), sr.; F Ashleigh Paulik, sr.; MF Sarah Woods, jr.
Key losses: F Rachel Stone (12 goals, 10 assists); F Rose Patrick (13 goals, 5 assists); MF Lauren Nawrotzki (13 goals, 5 assists); F Alyssa Magliaro (9 goals); MF Emily Bill; GK Gabby Puskas (4 shutouts); D Jenna Dugan.
Top newcomers: F Sarah DeStefano, so.; F Jennifer Tokash, so.; D Jordan Sponzo, jr.; D Elizabeth Stevenson, sr.; MF Megan Dalgauer, sr.; D Rebecca Wood, jr.; F Lexi Finkelstein, sr.; F Julie Hick, sr.; GK Amelia Mansfield, so.; GK Alexea Karpinski, so.
Outlook: Red Devils, who won back-to-back North 2, Group 4 titles in 2012 and '13, have ended the five seasons since with losses to nemesis Bridgewater in the sectional final, including a 4-1 loss in last year's title game. Central was hit hard by graduation so the offense could be a work in progress to start the year as the unit graduated players who scored 47 of the 67 goals last season. Freeman is the focal point coming off a season in which she led the team in scoring. Defensively, there will be a new goalie in the cage so that will also be an adjustment. Central is always well coached and rises to the occasion against the tougher teams on a challenging schedule so expect this young team to improve and perhaps bid for a spot in the sectional final opposite favorite Bridgewater.
North Hunterdon Lions
Coach: Maria Bachert (third season, 6-31).
2018 record: 4-14, 3-12 (T-fifth place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).
Key returnees: F-MF Emma Landis, sr.; F-MF Sana Sarker, sr.; F-MF Olivia Reeder (5 goals), so.; F Ryan Anderson (6 assists), so.; GK Emma Anderson, sr.; D Mira Carver, sr.; MF-D Marley Hoffman, jr.; MF Ava Laible, so.; D Katie Roberts, so.; F Jamie Skeffington, so.; MF Beth Kastrud, so.; D Amanda Lucy Bachert, so.
Key losses: GK Caroline Petrie; MF Caroline Witte; D Maria Ricciardi.
Outlook: There's a renewed enthusiasm with this program as the Lions, who went 47-171-5 over the previous 11 seasons, won more than three games in a season for the first time since 2010 with their total of four in '18. The rebuilding, as always, starts with offense, as last year's unit scored 14 goals, down two from 2017. Anderson was an impact freshman a year ago, while Reeder led the team in goals. Defensively, the loss of Petrie is a major hole to fill. The unit showed tremendous strides last year by allowing 53 goals in 18 games, which was a major improvement after yielding 85 goals in 2017. Steady improvement and a few more wins will be the goals.
North Warren Patriots
Coach: Brian Gravatt (fifth season, 19-53-3).
2018 record: 4-14-1, 2-6 (T-fourth place NJAC Colonial Division).
Key returnees: F Maddie Allen (6 goals), jr.; MF Julianne Metzgar, sr.; D Katarina Grogan, sr.; MF Allie Shramko, sr.; GK Kristen DeSanto (3 shutouts), sr.; MF Alexis Ashton, jr.; F Alexis Wohlers, jr.; MF Heather Kemper, jr.; D Erin Dimaio, jr.; MF Kerry Ann Castles, jr.; D Maureen-Jane Ilic, sr.; D Sadie Forbes, jr.; MF Devon Benzia, so.; F Aubrey DelDin, so.; F Kelly Dimaio, so.
Key losses: MF Dani Towey; F Lauren Cooke; F Drew Benzaia; D Rachel Eitner; MF Kailey Wohlers; D Claire Merkler; D Jackie Houck.
Top newcomers: D Elisabeth Zellers, so.; F Nicole Eitner, so.; D Dominique Morreale, so.; D Grace Pereira, so.; D Michaella Schultz, sr.; D Ashley Tirone, sr.; GK Kathryn Swistak, so.
Outlook: After posting three straight five-win seasons since going 10-9-1 in 2014, the Patriots dipped to four victories last season. The offense was a big reason as the unit produced just 13 goals, one down from 2017. There are experienced players returning on the forward line and in the midfield, however. Allen led the team in scoring last season. The defense, which allowed 54 goals last season -- 55 in 2017 -- has an experienced goalkeeper in DeSanto, who started every game in 2018. Expect this to be another rebuilding season, unless the offense shows marked improvement.
Phillipsburg Stateliners
Coach: Toni Popinko (third season, 17-25-1).
2018 record: 7-14, 6-9 (fourth place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).
Key returnees: F Allison Devlin, jr.; MF Morgan Cherry (4 goals), jr.; MF Morgan Barna (3 goals), sr.; GK Tatum McVey, sr.; D Erin Fisher, sr.; D Samantha Donnelly, sr.; D Amelia Lopes, so.; MF Madison Darmstadt, so.
Outlook: Stateliners took a small step back last season coming off a 10-win campaign in Popinko's first season at the helm. Inconsistency on the offense was a major factor as the team scored just 29 goals (down from 46 in 2017) in 21 games. Devlin, who scored six goals in 2017, and Cherry will be counted on to help improve those numbers, after losing top scorers Dudek and Yanes to graduation. The defense will also need to tighten things up, but the backfield has experience returning, including McVey, who started every game a year ago in her first season as the full-time goalkeeper. If this team can find a way to put the ball in the cage, it could surprise some teams, but improving on the win total will be a challenge playing in one of the toughest divisions in the state.
South Hunterdon Eagles
Coach: Stephanie Davis-Hart (sixth season, 43-41-3).
2018 record: 8-5-1, 7-2-1 (first place Skyland Conference Mountain Division).
Key returnees: F Alana Catanzareti (12 goals), sr.; F Chandler Storcella (9 goals, 3 assists), jr.; MF Rebecca Phillips (11 goals, 4 assists), jr.; D Skyler Badessa, so.; MF-D Bianca Gambino, so.; D Sofia Gambino, so.; MF Zoe Horan (3 assists), so.; GK Tiernan Swayhoover, so.
Top newcomers: MF Kylie Masterson, fr.; F-MF Kate Robinson, jr.
Outlook: Eagles got back over .500 for the third time in four seasons and edged out Belvidere for the division title. Offensive production was the key reason from improvement as the unit totaled 44 goals -- up from 20 in 2017. Catanzareti, Phillips and Storcella are all back and putting the ball in the cage should not be an issue this season. Defensively is where this team must step up with the loss of two-year starter Coleman, who anchored a unit that allowed just 15 goals, in the cage. It will be a two-team race for the division again, but South rates as the favorite and will look to go deeper into the sectional playoffs at season's end.
Voorhees Vikings
Coach: Shannon Hughes (second season, 15-7).
2018 record: 15-7, 12-3 (first place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).
Key returnees: F Cassie Boyce (20 goals, 15 assists), sr.; F Brooke Hyland (20 goals, 9 assists), sr.; MF Madison Ogorzalek (3 goals, 5 assists), sr.; MF Lauren Kokoskie (6 goals, 10 assists), sr.; MF-D Ryleigh Cameron (4 assists), sr.; MF Stefanie Fabbroni, sr.; D Grace Schiavo, jr.; GK Noelle Gabrish (7 shutouts), jr.; D Sadie Eichlin, so.
Turf at Voorhees! pic.twitter.com/0v3DteFUMA— GO VIKES (@VOO_Athletics) August 26, 2019
Key loss: MF Emily Matyas (8 goals).
Outlook: Vikings making big offseason news for the second straight year as they will be playing their home games on the brand new turf football field. It's a major deal for a program that's been held back on the state level by playing on a poor grass field. It can not be understated what a major boost this is for one of the top programs year-in and year-out. Unfortunately, Voorhees will once again open the season against nemesis Warren Hills -- this time under the lights at Warren Hills on Tuesday at 6 p.m. That game should never be an opener, but it will be a great matchup nonetheless. Boyce and Hyland are coming off huge offensive seasons and will anchor a pretty strong line. Ogorzalek and Kokoskie are super talented players in the midfield. Defense, which is usually a hallmark of this program, should be improved with Schiavo and Eichlin in front of Gabrish, who was thrust into the starting lineup last season with a season-ending injury to Courtney Wellet. Rumson-Fair Haven, which ended the Vikes' season in the North 2, Group 2 semis, is always the team to beat in a rugged section, but watch out for Voorhees, which should give Warren Hills all it can handle in the division and Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament title bids.
Warren Hills Blue Streaks
Coach: Josie Potter (third season, 43-9-1).
2018 record: 19-6-1, 11-3-1 (second place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).
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| Warren Hills celebrates its 8th straight sectional title in '18. |
Outlook: Blue Streaks saw their run of seven straight 20-win seasons snapped with a 7-0 loss to Moorestown in the Group 3 final -- the Warren County school's third straight finals setback after winning back-to-back titles in 2014 and '15. But this still young and talented group will be plenty hungry -- returning all 11 starters -- after losing its grip on division and Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament titles as well in 2018. Desai, Dugan and Wyckoff will lead the offense, while Fenner has been a stalwart on the defensive end the previous two seasons. Moskal is working her way back after a stellar freshman season in the backfield, which also got deeper with the return of DeSanto, a starter in 2017, who took last year off. Potter, who employed multiple starting lineups last season as a result of either injury or looking for a spark, loves the versatility with this group. She won't be shy about moving players around to different positions if need be. Expect this team, which enters the season as one of the favorites in Group 3, along with Ocean City, to once again challenge again for multiple titles, including a ninth straight sectional championship.
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