Belvidere County Seaters
Coach: Beth Franceschino (eighth season of second stint, 80-43-8).2020 record: 8-4-1, 6-3-1 (third place Skyland Conference Mountain Division).
Key returnees: MF Emma Dalrymple, sr.; MF-D Nora Dornich, sr.; D Autumn Banghart, sr.; MF Mackenzie Hausamann, sr.; GK Kaitlin Williams (7 shutouts), jr.; F Ellie Kardos, jr.; F Kayla Connors (3 goals), jr.; F Emerson LaBar (5 goals), so.; D Taylor Dultz, sr.; F-MF Rachael Rowe, sr.
Key losses: F Olivia Zmyewski (9 goals, 7 assists); D Kinsey Lockard; F Jordan Yeisley (3 goals); F Marianna Crisafulli (3 goals).
Top newcomers: MF Grace Horvath, jr.; MF-D Rebecca Ferrullo, jr.
Outlook: County Seaters are coming off seven straight winning seasons, capturing division titles in three of the previous seven years, but their postseason runs the past two campaigns ended with shutout losses to Pequannock (2-0 in the Northwest A final in 2020) as the program seeks its first sectional title since 1996. The offense took a major hit with the loss of Zmyewski (Pace University), who logged 20 goals from 2019-20. LaBar emerged as a force last season and will be counted on for bigger things this fall. One of the biggest questions entering 2020 was in the cage, but Williams emerged as one of the top goalies in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area. If the offense can produce, watch out for this team in the division and playoff races.
Delaware Valley Terriers
Coach: Tiffany Kuhl (first season).
2020 record: 5-7, 4-6 (fourth place Skyland Conference Mountain Division).
Key returnees: MF Rachel McIntyre (4 goals, 6 assists), sr.; F Samantha Snowden (3 goals), sr.; F Annabelle Neibuhr (3 goals), sr.; D Rachel Ferri, sr.; F Natalie Heiser (6 goals), jr.; GK Grace Jenkins, so.; GK Madeline Beyers, jr.; D Korinne Pryor, sr.; F Zoe Sabosik, sr.; MF Julia Meyko, sr.; MF Alyssa McGlothlin, sr.
Key losses: F Kristen Bill; MF-D Emily Norgard.
Top newcomers: D Samantha Pinelli, fr.
Outlook: Kuhl inherits a program that went 94-79-7 under Stephanie Rifflard the previous 10 seasons and reached the North 2, Group 2 semifinals in 2017. After consecutive quarterfinal losses in North 2, Group 1 in 2018 and '19, the Terriers, who went from 15 wins and a division title in 2019 to five in '20, bowed out of the Central West A playoffs with a 2-1 overtime loss to nemesis South Hunterdon. Making another postseason run will depend on the offense as Snowden, who led the team with 17 goals in 2019, will be counted on to approach that total again, along with Heiser and McIntyre. The defense figures to be in better shape as Beyers got experience in the cage last season. If the offense can find consistency, expect this team to challenge for a division title.
Hackettstown Tigers
Coach: Rachael Gorski (third season, 14-13-2).
2020 record: 5-4-1, 2-1-1 (second place NJAC White South Division).
Key returnees: F Kiara Koeller (6 goals, 3 assists), so.; F Skyler Sciaretta, so.; MF Amy Wood, sr.; F Emma Patton (6 goals), sr.; MF Aaisha Taha, jr.; F Ali Cetani, jr.; MF Erin Magnotta, jr.; GK Emily Newton (2 shutouts), so.; MF-D Abby Zellars, jr.; GK Megan Kerwin, so.; MF-D Sophia Smith, jr.
Key losses: F Megan Doyle (8 goals, 7 assists); D Adriana Beam.
Top newcomers: F Brynn Otto, fr.
Outlook: Tigers are looking to get back to elite status after combining for 14 wins the previous two seasons since a 19-win campaign and the program's first Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament title in 2018. Finding consistent offense will be the main challenge following the loss of Doyle, who was one of the area's top scorers. Koeller and Patton will provide a nice 1-2 punch. Newton did a nice job in her first season as the starting goalkeeper, as the defense yielded three goals or fewer in all 10 games a year ago. This team will be tested early in the season opener against Warren Hills on Thursday at Morrison Field.
Hunterdon Central Red Devils
Coach: Jenn Sponzo (23rd season, 306-154-20).
2020 record: 8-5, 7-4 (second place Skyland Conference Delaware Division).
Key returnees: F Sarah DeStefano (3 goals), sr.; F Jennifer Tokash (7 goals), sr.; MF Maria Ippolito, jr.
Key losses: MF Sarah Woods (7 goals); D Jordan Sponzo (6 assists); D Rebecca Woods; GK Alexea Karpinski (4 shutouts); D Shannon Parker.
Top newcomers: D Laurel Hanrahan, jr.; MF Keria Frey, jr.; F Amanda Walker, so.; F Sydni Waldron, sr.; MF Lainey Lynott, jr.
Outlook: Red Devils, who captured their first sectional title in seven years in 2019, took a bit of a step back last season -- dropping a 1-0 decision to eventual champion Ridge in the Central West B playoffs after a 2-1 win in their regular-season matchup. Central, which reached the Group 4 final two years ago, will once again have to deal with nemesis Bridgewater-Raritan in the division race and likely North Hunterdon and Ridge in the postseason. Goals were hard to come by most games last season against the better teams on the schedule and that may be the case again with DeStefano and Tokash as the only returning proven scorers. The defense also lost some key players to graduation and the tragic passing of Karpinski, one of the top goalies in the area, shortly after last season. A pair of sophomores -- Kelly Weaver and Danyka Podinker, will look to seize the starting role in the cage. Central is always well coached and usually tends to play up to the competition, so expect this team to perhaps start off slow and be much improved by season's end.
North Hunterdon Lions
Coach: Geoff Chrisman (first season).
2020 record: 11-3, 9-2 (second place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).
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| Captains: O. Reeder, L. Masters, J. Skeffington |
Key returnees: F Lauren Masters (26 goals, 7 assists), jr.; MF Olivia Reeder (10 goals, 11 assists), sr.; F Ryan Anderson (10 goals, 18 assists), sr.; MF Sara Roberts (11 goals, 9 assists), jr.; F Ava Laible (6 goals), sr.; F Katie Roberts, sr.; F-MF Jamie Skeffington (4 goals), sr.; D-MF Amanda Lucy Bachert, sr.; GK McKenna Laman (5 shutouts), sr.; GK Stephanie Teipel, jr.; D Sarah Bisson, jr.; D Molly Claus, so.; F Maggie Sampson, jr.
Key loss: MF-D Marley Hoffman.
Top newcomers: MF Kendall Varty, so.; D Brenna Benson, sr.; D Annika Hoyer, fr.; MF Brooke Cahill, fr.; D Tara Crescenzi (transfer from Voorhees), sr.; MF Lily Kumar (transfer from Mount St. Mary), sr.; D Caroline Brenckle, sr.
Outlook: Lions, who finished 4-14 in 2018, have gone 26-11 over the previous two seasons and with a wealth of returning talent, plus a couple of talented transfers, enter the 2021 campaign as the team to beat in the division and Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament. The 2019 season was the program's first winning campaign in 10 years and its first sectional final appearance since 1993. All of that after the program went 47-171-5 over the 11 seasons prior to 2019. Chrisman, a former assistant coach, takes over and will count on a potent offensive attack led by the speedy 1-2 punch of Masters and Anderson, who have combined for 82 goals and 66 assists the past two seasons. Masters, a University of Louisville commit, is the program's all-time points leader and led all HWS scorers with 26 goals and 59 points in 2020. She enters her junior season with 56 career goals -- two shy of owning the program's all-time mark held by Beth Gromlowicz (57 from 1983-86). Anderson is North's career assists leader with 50. Reeder, a Kent State commit, scored 10 goals in each of the past two seasons. Defensively, Laman, a Montclair State commit, will anchor what should be a solid unit and quite likely the key to any championship run. Like Hunterdon Central, North lost the rematch with Ridge -- 2-1 in double-overtime in the Central West B semifinals -- to end its season and that loss will be a driving force.
North Warren PatriotsVery proud of the work and effort we saw all summer. #winningisearned pic.twitter.com/gggJMCixSE
— NHHS_Field_Hockey (@NhhsField) August 5, 2021
Coach: Carie Murphy (first season).
2020 record: 0-7, 0-4 (fourth place NJAC White South Division).
Key returnees: MF Devon Benzaia, sr.; F Aubrey Deldin, sr.; GK Kathryn Swistak, sr.; D Devon Curreri, jr.; MF Kate Gerkhardt, jr.; GK Olivia DiGuiseppi, sr.; D Kelly DiMaio, sr.; F Nicole Eitner, sr.; D Dominique Morreale, sr.; MF Grace Pereira, sr.; D Elisabeth Zellers, sr.; F Shaelin May, jr.; F Elloree Neary, jr.
Key losses: F Maddie Allen; F Heather Kemper.
Top newcomers: D Marilyn Dominguez, jr.; F Kathryn Close, so.; F Keira Hannam, so.; MF Madalyn Hawkswell, so.; D Nolagh Perst, so.; MF Angelina Plut, so.; MF-D Jordyn Pohl, so.; GK Julianna Sagan, so.; F Delaney Benzaia, fr.; MF-D Kayleigh Dolinsky, fr.; GK Nya Gillen, fr.; MF-D Julia Hawkswell, fr.; F-MF Kendall Perrone, fr.; MF Alex Pohl, fr.; F Delia Voorhees, fr.
Outlook: Patriots have a new coach and are coming off a tough winless COVID-shortened campaign. Murphy inherits a program that went 24-71-6 the previous six seasons under Brian Gravatt, now the school's athletic director. Until last season, North had hovered around the five-win mark every year since their last winning season (10-9-1 in 2014). After scoring a total of two goals in 2020, any turnaround will start on the offensive end. Devin Benzaia, Eitner DiMaio are the only returning players who have scored a varsity goal (one each in a five-win 2019 season), so that's going to be the biggest challenge. The defense, which also struggled last season, has an experience goalkeeper in Swistak. The good news is that numbers in the program are up, with 14 sophomores and freshmen. Expect this to be another rebuilding and learning season.
Outlook: Patriots have a new coach and are coming off a tough winless COVID-shortened campaign. Murphy inherits a program that went 24-71-6 the previous six seasons under Brian Gravatt, now the school's athletic director. Until last season, North had hovered around the five-win mark every year since their last winning season (10-9-1 in 2014). After scoring a total of two goals in 2020, any turnaround will start on the offensive end. Devin Benzaia, Eitner DiMaio are the only returning players who have scored a varsity goal (one each in a five-win 2019 season), so that's going to be the biggest challenge. The defense, which also struggled last season, has an experience goalkeeper in Swistak. The good news is that numbers in the program are up, with 14 sophomores and freshmen. Expect this to be another rebuilding and learning season.
Phillipsburg Stateliners
Coach: Toni Popinko (fifth season, 27-44-3).
2020 record: 6-4, 6-4 (fourth place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).
Key returnees: D Emilia Lopes, sr.; D Madison Darmstadt, sr.; F Samantha Helman (5 assists), jr.; F Gracie Merrick (3 goals), jr.; D Jillian Miller, so.; GK Beth Kelly, jr.; GK Amanda Parr, sr.
Top newcomers: MF Julia Butler, so.; F Avery Ritt, so.
Outlook: Stateliners bounced back from a tough 2019 campaign, but a COVID-19 shutdown in early November, shortly after a good 2-1 win over regional champion Ridge that capped a three-game win streak, prevented them from playing in the postseason. Inconsistency on offense has been an issue in previous years, so Helman and Merrick will be counted on heavily to lead in that department. The defense should be a strength, with Darmstadt being one of the top backs in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area, anchoring that group. Kelly and Parr (University of Mount Olive commit) shared the duties in the cage in 2020. The 'Liners compete in one of the toughest divisions in the state (North Hunterdon, Ridge and Warren Hills) and that will make them better by season's end.
South Hunterdon Eagles#COMMITTED Congratulations Maddie Darmstadt on committing to STONEHILL!🏑🐾 #GoSkyhawks pic.twitter.com/EIx2YJAJwE
— PHS fieldhockey (@fieldhockey_phs) July 26, 2021
Coach: Michelle Ryan (first season).
2020 record: 12-4, 9-3 (first place Skyland Conference Mountain Division).
Key returnees: F Natalia Oprzadek (9 goals 14 goals), sr.; D Zoe Horan (6 goals), sr.; MF Skyler Badessa, sr.; F Sarah Faherty (11 goals), jr.; D Bianca Gambino, sr.; D Sofia Gambino, sr.; GK Tiernan Swayhoover (6 shutouts 9 shutouts), sr.; F Kylie Masterson (4 assists), jr.; MF Willa Ludwig, jr.; F-MF Briana Tumler, jr.; D Katie Costantini, jr.
Top newcomers: MF Nina Daley, so.; MF Julia Stoff, so.; D Alexa Hughes, so.; D Lina Weiland, fr.; MF Cambria Loesch, so.
Outlook: Eagles may be low on numbers, but they certainly aren't short on talent, and this group looks to make another postseason run after a tough 4-0 loss to eventual champion Voorhees in the Central West A semifinals ended their 2020 season. Ryan inherits a program that rebounded under former head coach Stephanie Davis-Hart, whose teams went 72-48-3 the previous seven seasons and 29-7 the past two campaigns in capturing back-to-back division titles. Storcella and Phillips, who combined for 47 goals the past two seasons, will be missed on the offensive side, but Oprzadek (23 goals combined in 2019 and '20) will help pick up the slack, along with Faherty, who is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign. South averaged three goals per game a year ago (48 total in 16 games). Swayhoover, a three-year starter, is one of the best goalkeepers in the HWS area, and she will have a fine group of backs in front of her, including Horan, who scored six goals last season. This is the team to beat in the division.
Voorhees Vikings
Coach: Kathryn Roncoroni (first season).
2020 record: 14-1-1, 10-0 (first place Skyland Conference Valley Division).
Key returnees: MF Sadie Eichlin (8 goals, 14 assists), sr; MF Kate Matyas (4 goals, 6 assists), jr.; F Kate Cookson (5 goals, 10 assists), so.; MF Alexa Barkman, so.; D Kaitlyn Boyle, jr.; F Leigha Schultze (11 goals), sr.; F Ava Smadi, jr.; MF Kylie Roessler, sr.; F Noel Jeskulski, so.
Key losses: F Katie McLean (18 goals, 21 assists); D Grace Schiavo (5 goals); GK Noelle Gabrish (10 shutouts); F Tess Rodenberger (17 goals).
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| Voorhees seeks its 9th sectional title in 2021. |
Top newcomers: F Amanda Korfin, fr.; GK Katie Robbins, so.
Outlook: Vikings really came together in what was a tough season all around due to the pandemic and captured the Central West A regional title -- with their only loss coming to rival North Hunterdon (3-0 on Nov. 2). It was the program's first to the Lions since 1990 and snapped a 41-game win streak in the series dating to '92. Enter a new coach and familiar face as Roncoroni, the school's all-time scoring leader, inherits a program that went 47-13 the past three seasons under Shannon Hughes. A lot of offense was lost to graduation, including McLean, second in the HWS area with 57 points in 2020. But Eichlin is one of the state's top players and really thrived in the midfield after making the switch from left back. Matyas is another solid force in the middle and Cookson is coming off a fine rookie year. The defense, which is usually a hallmark of Voorhees teams, may be a question with a new goalkeeper and the loss of Schiavo, an outstanding defensive player. Expect this group to be much better by season's end and it would not be surprise to see the Vikes, who should cruise to another division title, challenging for the HWS Tournament title.
Warren Hills Blue Streaks
Coach: Josie Potter (fifth season, 80-11-1).
2020 record: 14-0, 11-0 (first place Skyland Conference Raritan Division).
Key returnees: F Maddie Summitt (18 goals, 11 assists), sr.; D Emily Dvorsky, sr.; MF Ryleigh Reagan, sr.; D Maddie Moreno, jr.; D Holly Ort, sr.; F Dimitra Georgoutsos, sr.
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| Warren Hills is 80-11-1 over the last 4 years. |
Top newcomers: MF Shivya Desai, fr.; MF Hailey Hoffman, so.; F Sarah Salameh, so.; F Jess Pawloski, so.; GK Sydney White, so.; GK Casey Kozelnik, fr.; F Gi Cioni, so.; MF Gabby Fama, jr.; F Addie Conaboy, so.; F Cameron Dunn, sr.
Outlook: Blue Streaks have been the standard bearer in Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex -- 80-11-1 overall and 51-4-1 in divisional play -- over the previous four seasons. Even in the most challenging of years, they were able to capture the program's 10th consecutive sectional title -- winning the Northwest C championship and outscoring its three playoff opponents, 11-1. But with only two returning starters (the other nine, plus one senior reserve, are all playing in college) this figures to be a bit of a rebuilding campaign, though this team is plenty talented, but very young. In several cases, some of the listed newcomers most likely would have seen some varsity time in 2020, if not for the pandemic, and it will be exciting to see how they progress. Summitt, a star forward who is headed to Ball State to join Wyckoff, ranked third in the HWS area in scoring last season in a bounce-back campaign, while Dvorsky (College of New Jersey commit) is one of the best defensive players in the state. Grooming some complements to Summitt on offense (50 of the team's 73 goals last season lost to graduation) will be critical to any success, while White and Kozelnik have been battling it out in camp to assume the crucial starting role in the cage. Interestingly, there are no usual independent games against state powers and one tentative date against Voorhees (if neither reaches the HWS final on Oct. 16, which seems a big reach) on the schedule. It might be a work in progress to start the season, but expect this group to be a much more cohesive unit and challenging for postseason titles in November.
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