High Point Wildcats
Coach: Kelly Reynolds (fourth season, 15-29-2).2020 record: 2-8-1, 1-6-1 (fifth place NJAC White North Division).
Key returnees: F Ali Stoner (3 goals, 3 assists), sr.; D-MF Donna Merkel, sr.; F Audrey Flannery (5 goals), sr.; GK Cassandra Conklin (109 saves), sr.; MF Dominique Thiessen (injured in 2020), sr.; D Hope Margarum, sr.; F Jenna Brinck (3 assists), jr.; MF-D Brianna Post, jr.; MF Kayle Langenbach, sr.; MF-D Hanna Gardner, so.
Key loss: D Rachel King.Congratulations to our 2021 Team Captains Donna, Cassandra, and Audrey! @JonTallamy @coachcdexter pic.twitter.com/1a1UyyLMkj
— High Point Field Hockey (@field_point) August 31, 2021
Top newcomer: D Averie Dunn, jr.
Outlook: The Wildcats, who are eyeing the program's first winning season since 2017, are coming off a tough pandemic-shortened season, falling 2-0 to Jefferson in the Northwest D playoffs, a team they had beaten -- 2-1 in the regular season. The 'Cats were once again no strangers to close games last season -- playing in eight that were decided by two or fewer goals after playing in 12 decided by one goal or fewer in '19 campaign. Offense, as was the case the previous three seasons, will be the biggest question as the unit totaled 10 goals in 11 games last year. Stoner and Flannery will lead that group, combining for 19 over the previous two seasons. But others will have to pick up the slack as the defense appears to be in good shape with Conklin, a tri-captain, back in the cage. Playing in a very competitive division, and lacking turf on their home field, puts the 'Cats, at a disadvantage. But if the offense can deliver with consistency, getting above the .500 mark is a realistic goal.
Kittatinny Cougars
Coach: Emily Wisneski (fourth season, 9-40-2).
2020 record: 3-9, 2-5 (fourth place NJAC White North Division).
Key returnees: F Rachel Loevlie (2 goals), sr.; MF Delaney Campanella (3 assists), sr.; D Brooke Van Gorden, sr.; D Ashley Smith, jr.; MF Meagan Ward, sr.; MF Isabelle Hennett, sr.
Key losses: MF Madisen Dippel (4 goals); GK Emily Hotz; D Katie Schreiber; F-MF Allie Molfetto; F Jordyn Librizzi.
Outlook: The Cougars went 21-82-5 over the previous six seasons -- and haven't won more than four games in a year since finishing 8-9-1 in 2015 -- following a 15-win campaign and reaching a sectional final in '14. Lack of offense has been the main issue, as the unit scored just 10 goals in 12 games in 2020. That again is an area of concern and the defense will need to get up to speed quickly with an inexperienced goalkeeper. This is another program hampered by having to play home games on grass, but the offense should produce a few more goals with Loevlie and Campanella leading the way.Excited to be back for another Field Hockey season! Let’s go Cougars!! 💙🏑 pic.twitter.com/X6JJNak1rd
— Emily Wisneski (@WisneskiEmily) August 16, 2021
Lenape Valley Patriots
Coach: Isabelle Becker (second season, 9-2-2).
2020 record: 9-2-2, 5-0-1 (first place NJAC White South Division).
Key returnees: F Angie Falleni (8 goals), sr.; MF Dara Pellinger, sr.; MF Quinn Dachisen, sr.; MF-D Ella Gomez, so.; MF Emma McElroy, jr.; D Brooke Proctor, sr.; F Mia Vergano (3 goals), so.; F Ashley Marie Daley, jr.; GK Abby Coppolella (8 shutouts), so.
Key losses: F Julianna Gentilucci (10 goals, 7 assists); D Tara Charrette.
Top newcomers: MF-D Lindsay Fehir, so.; F Natalie Crispino, so.; GK Erin Sullivan, so.
Outlook: Patriots are coming off a nice bounce-back season after finishing 6-11-1 in 2019 -- going 1-1 in the postseason, including a 2-0 loss in the Northwest A semifinals to eventual champion Pequannock, and winning a division title. The loss of Gentilucci, who ranked second in the county in goals scored last year, is big, but Falleni should help pick up the slack, along with Gomez and a solid midfield. The defense should also be in good shape with Coppolella back in the cage after a strong freshman campaign. The pieces are in place for another winning season and perhaps a longer run in the postseason.
Outlook: Patriots are coming off a nice bounce-back season after finishing 6-11-1 in 2019 -- going 1-1 in the postseason, including a 2-0 loss in the Northwest A semifinals to eventual champion Pequannock, and winning a division title. The loss of Gentilucci, who ranked second in the county in goals scored last year, is big, but Falleni should help pick up the slack, along with Gomez and a solid midfield. The defense should also be in good shape with Coppolella back in the cage after a strong freshman campaign. The pieces are in place for another winning season and perhaps a longer run in the postseason.
Newton Braves
Coach: Lisa Bechtel (32nd season, 442-159-19).
2020 record: 7-4, 4-3 (second place NJAC White North Division).
15-4, 7-1 (T-first place NJAC Freedom Division).
Key returnees: F Julia Fitt (3 assists), sr.; MF Bridget Kerrick (4 goals), sr.; MF Sidney Pavlishin (5 goals, 10 assists), sr.; F Julia Decker (4 goals), sr.; D Madison Freda, sr.; GK Erin McLean, sr.; D Abby Nicholas, sr.; MF Syd Cotter, sr.; D Syd Harding, sr.; MF Rose Steinberg, sr.; D Sam Wechtler, sr.; MF-F Gianna Carchia, jr.; F Ally Neill, jr.; F-MF Rylie Corby, jr.
Key returnees: F Julia Fitt (3 assists), sr.; MF Bridget Kerrick (4 goals), sr.; MF Sidney Pavlishin (5 goals, 10 assists), sr.; F Julia Decker (4 goals), sr.; D Madison Freda, sr.; GK Erin McLean, sr.; D Abby Nicholas, sr.; MF Syd Cotter, sr.; D Syd Harding, sr.; MF Rose Steinberg, sr.; D Sam Wechtler, sr.; MF-F Gianna Carchia, jr.; F Ally Neill, jr.; F-MF Rylie Corby, jr.
Key losses: F Elissar Abou-Jaoude (6 goals, 5 assists); MF Sammie DeIorio (3 assists); MF Naya Pereira.
Top newcomers: MF Reagan Decker, jr.; D Ayesha Payne-Parris, jr.; MF Gianna Simeone, so.; F Cece Strasser, so.
Outlook: Braves are coming off back-to-back semifinal losses in the postseason, falling, 2-0, to Belvidere in the Northwest A regionals in 2020. Winning a sixth sectional title in eight seasons is the primary goal behind what should be a very opportunistic offense -- led by Fitt (12 goals over the past two seasons) and Pavlishin, one of the area's top all-around players, who will anchor the midfield with Kerrick. The defense also has experience with Freda and McLean, who filled some big shoes a year ago with three shutouts in her first varsity season as a starter in the cage. Bechtel's teams are always well coached so expect the Braves to be the team to beat in the division and make another sectional title run.
Pope John Lions
Coach: Brett Douglas (second season, 1-9).
2020 record: 1-9, 1-9 (sixth place NJAC Red North Division).
1-14, 0-8 (fifth place NJAC National Division).
Key returnees: MF Madison McGuire, sr.; F Ava Vozza, sr.; D Maika Batchelor, sr.; MF Ryleigh Manning, jr.; F Kaitlin Brennan, so.; F Kira Conn, jr.; F Sabrina Dispenziere, so.; D Carolina Gonzalez-Konezny, sr.; D Saraya Hubble, sr.; F Danielle Kelly, jr.; D Juliana Riccardi, sr.; MF Kylie Squier, jr.; D Melanie Waitze, sr.; MF Rachel Walker, jr.
Key losses: MF Josephine Buccino; GK Emily Glory.
Top newcomers: D Rebecca Walker, fr.; F Katie Klebez, fr.; GK Trisha Kelly, fr.; F Meredith Severinson, fr.; F Madison Grano, so.; D Seraphine Lam, so.
Outlook: Lions are coming off back-to-back one-win seasons and are 13-79-4 since the program's last winning season (10-9-1 in 2014). After scoring just two goals (2-1 win over Morris Hills) in all of 2020, being able to put the ball in the cage is priority one. Manning is the only player on the roster who has scored a varsity goal and McGuire is the only other returning player with offensive stats (two assists in 2019). On defense, providing assistance for a new goalkeeper will be the biggest challenge as the unit yielded 47 goals in 10 games a year ago. Expect this group to struggle against the better teams on the schedule, but with 20 players, the numbers are up and that's an encouraging sign.
Sparta Spartans
Coach: Corinne Bright (third season, 14-17-1).
2020 record: 5-7, 5-6 (fourth place NJAC Red North Division).
Key returnees: MF Madison McGuire, sr.; F Ava Vozza, sr.; D Maika Batchelor, sr.; MF Ryleigh Manning, jr.; F Kaitlin Brennan, so.; F Kira Conn, jr.; F Sabrina Dispenziere, so.; D Carolina Gonzalez-Konezny, sr.; D Saraya Hubble, sr.; F Danielle Kelly, jr.; D Juliana Riccardi, sr.; MF Kylie Squier, jr.; D Melanie Waitze, sr.; MF Rachel Walker, jr.
Key losses: MF Josephine Buccino; GK Emily Glory.
Top newcomers: D Rebecca Walker, fr.; F Katie Klebez, fr.; GK Trisha Kelly, fr.; F Meredith Severinson, fr.; F Madison Grano, so.; D Seraphine Lam, so.
Outlook: Lions are coming off back-to-back one-win seasons and are 13-79-4 since the program's last winning season (10-9-1 in 2014). After scoring just two goals (2-1 win over Morris Hills) in all of 2020, being able to put the ball in the cage is priority one. Manning is the only player on the roster who has scored a varsity goal and McGuire is the only other returning player with offensive stats (two assists in 2019). On defense, providing assistance for a new goalkeeper will be the biggest challenge as the unit yielded 47 goals in 10 games a year ago. Expect this group to struggle against the better teams on the schedule, but with 20 players, the numbers are up and that's an encouraging sign.
Sparta Spartans
Coach: Corinne Bright (third season, 14-17-1).
2020 record: 5-7, 5-6 (fourth place NJAC Red North Division).
Key returnees: F Casey Coleman (8 goals), sr.; F Kate Ryan (3 goals), sr.; F-MF Sophia Candeloro (4 goals), so.; D Madison Campisi, so; F Julianne Ames, sr.; MF Lucy Partin, sr.; MF Allison Hollywood, sr.; MF Rachel Leitner, sr.; MF-D Norah Monaghan, sr.; D Sofia DiStefano, sr.; D Cristina Francescutto, sr.; D Aine Byrne, jr.; MF Emily Abbate, sr.
Key losses: F Kayla Collinson (8 goals); MF Maya Tomko; D Grace Russo; GK Morgan Denmead (5 shutouts).
Top newcomers: D Tzuriya Thompson, jr.; F-MF Claire Gallagher, so.; GK Orianna Bennett, so.
Outlook: As expected, the Spartans took a bit of a step back last season following back-to-back nine-win campaigns. Replacing Collinson, who led the team in scoring the past two years, won't be an easy task, but the team's strength should be on the offensive end with Coleman and Candeloro anchoring the group. Defensively, it's a little more challenging with the loss of Denmead, now playing at Kutztown University, who logged 11 shutouts the previous two seasons. Keeping the tougher teams on the schedule at bay has been an issue in recent year so that will be key to improving on last year's win total.
Vernon Vikings
Coach: Kieran Killeen (sixth season, 52-32-5).
2020 record: 13-1, 7-0 (first place NJAC White North Division).
Key returnees: F Julia Gregory (8 goals, 4 assists), sr.; F Natalie Hasert (4 goals, 4 assists), sr.; MF Megan Westdyke, sr.; MF Sidney Van Tassel (8 assists), so.; D Lauren Waschek, jr.; F Zoe Burns, sr.; GK Caitlin Witters (8 shutouts), sr.; D Noel DeBonta, sr.
Key losses: F Alyssa Van Dalinda (Sussex County-best 17 goals, 3 assists); MF Alicia Mihalko (5 goals); MF Madison Hordych (4 assists); D Aleah Germinario; D Rebecca Bogdewicz (5 assists); D Anna Casper; D Madison Gary.
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| Vernon celebrates its division title in 2020. |
Top newcomers: MF Bailey Mann, so.; D Grace Tavares, so.; MF Makenna Thomas, so.; F Abigail DeYoung, fr.
Outlook: Vikings, who went just 53-74-5 from 2009-15, have gone 52-32-5 since, including 29-4 over the previous two seasons. They also repeated as division champions after capturing the program's first title in 23 years in 2019, in which they also made a sectional title game appearance for the first time since 2010. Last year's run also ended in a final -- a 3-1 loss to Morristown-Beard in the Northwest B championship game. Despite significant graduation losses on both sides of the field, the talent is there for another run. Gregory, who scored 18 goals as a sophomore, will be counted on to lead the offense, which should be a strength, along with Van Tassel and Hasert. Defensively, the loss of almost the entire starting backfield may be an issue, but Witters was solid in her first season as a starter in the cage. Last year's group yielded just eight goals, including three in the final game.
Wallkill Valley RangersOur field hockey program takes advantage of our new resurfaced track for a group photo. pic.twitter.com/b0jbjejOEP
— VTHS Athletics (@vthsathletics) August 21, 2021
Coach: Irene Chernati (36th season, 419-243-18).
2020 record: 5-5-2, 3-3-1 (third place NJAC White North Division).
Key returnees: F Sarina Sanders (5 goals, 3 assists), so.; MF Saige Slater, sr.; MF Julie Murphy, sr.; MF Gianna Sienkiewicz (5 goals), sr.; D Natalie Armstrong, sr.; MF Sarah Philback, jr.; F Jennifer Roth, jr.; F Kellie Roth (3 goals, 4 assists), jr.; GK Samantha Fried (4 shutouts), sr.; F Joy Oostdyk, so.
Key losses: MF Emily Mizeski (5 goals, 4 assists); D Stephanie Hutnick.
Outlook: Rangers are coming off six-win seasons in 2018 and '19, followed by a five-win campaign in 2020 after capturing a division title and the program's first sectional championship since 2006 in '17. This could be the year to get over .500. Offensively, it's been a struggle the previous two seasons as the unit totaled 20 goals a year ago, but half of those came in wins against Kittatinny and North Warren, and no more than three in any other matchup. Wallkill was shut out four times, including a 2-0 loss to Lenape Valley in the Northwest A playoffs. Sanders is coming off a solid rookie season, while Slater and Philback anchor a good midfield group. The defense was a strength in 2020 and Fried did just fine as a first-year starter in the cage. If the offense comes along, look for this group to take a big leap forward.
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