Field hockey: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings

Let's hope the rain will stay away for at least a little while after wrecking havoc with the schedule at the end of last week. In all, eight games involving teams in the Open Mike Top 10 were postponed.

But we've got a dandy on Tuesday night when Nos. 1 and 2 meet in Washington Township, as Warren Hills hosts Voorhees at 7 p.m. The powerhouse programs will renew what's been the indisputable best rivalry in these parts.

It will be the first regular-season matchup in two years after the Skyland Conference realignment moved Voorhees out of the Raritan Division for last season. Warren Hills scored a 5-0 win in the teams' lone meeting in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex final -- the most lopsided result in the series since Voorhees' 4-0 win in 1993. In the 34 meetings prior to last season, all were decided by three goals or fewer, sans three ties.

Voorhees (2-0) still holds a commanding 30-20-6 edge in the all-time series dating to 1975, but the momentum has shifted to Warren Hills (2-0), which has won five of the last seven meetings. This will be the first matchup in the rivalry for new Streaks coach Kate Rothman. Under former coach Laurie Kerr, the Warren County school went 10-17-3 against the Vikings the past 15 seasons.

Now onto this week's rankings, the first set of the season:

1. Warren Hills (2-0) -- Blue Streaks are off and running under their new coach. The defending Group 3 champions opened the season with an impressive 5-3 win over Madison on Sept. 4, last year's Group 2 runner-up, and rolled to an 8-2 victory over Pingry on a rainy Saturday. Junior forward Dani Profita had a hat trick against Pingry and leads the Streaks with four goals. Senior forward Katie Thompson scored her second goal and added an assist.

Up next: Voorhees at home on Tuesday; at Montgomery on Wednesday; at Ridge on Friday.

2. Voorhees (2-0) -- Vikings rebounded from a tough 2-0 loss to state powerhouse West Essex on Sept. 5 for a 4-0 win over No. 8 South Hunterdon on Saturday -- improving to 26-18-7 all-time against the Eagles, whose last win was 2-1 in overtime in 2013. Senior forward and American University-bound Kathryn Roncoroni added to her career-record total with three goals in the win, giving her 92 overall. Junior midfielder Hannah Schiavo also found the cage, while junior goalie Annie Weiler made two saves in the shutout.

Up next: at Warren Hills on Tuesday; at Delaware Valley on Wednesday; Mount St. Mary at home on Saturday (annual Save the Cherubs contest).

3. Hunterdon Central (1-0) -- Red Devils opened their season with a 3-2 win over Hillsborough in a Skyland Conference Delaware Division clash on Friday. Junior midfielder Nikki Freeman, senior forward Amanda Whitlock and sophomore midfielder Brittany Bill scored the goals. Senior goalie Mollie Lafferty made five saves.

Up next: Pingry at home on Wednesday; North Hunterdon at home on Saturday.

4. Newton (2-0) -- Braves opened their season with back-to-back 3-0 wins against Johnson (Sept. 4) and Mount Olive (Wednesday). Senior midfielder Hannah Ervey and senior forwards Olivia Weiss and Emily Weiss scored in the win over Johnson, while Olivia Weiss added two more against Mount Olive. Junior midfielder Natalie Rivas, last year's leading scorer, also notched her first goal of the season. Senior goalie Katie O'Brien made four saves for the shutout.

Up next: at Belvidere on Monday; at North Warren on Wednesday; High Point at home on Friday.

5. Hackettstown (2-0) -- Tigers stormed out of the gate with an 8-0 win over Delaware Valley on Sept. 4, followed by a 4-0 win over No. 7 Belvidere on Tuesday. Junior forward Molly Gorczyca scored four goals in the win over the Terriers, while senior midfielder Cayla Andrews added two assists. Against the County Seaters, senior forward Kayli Yeisley had a pair of goals and Andrews scored her first goal to go along with her team-leading third assist.

Up next: Jefferson at home on Wednesday; at Wallkill Valley on Friday.

6. Phillipsburg (1-0) -- Stateliners opened their season with a 6-0 win over Delaware Valley last Tuesday. Senior forward Kylie Marhold scored a goal and added an assist, while senior forward Ellie Zgoda added a hat trick and junior Kendra Gatyas had two assists. Junior Samantha DeRogatis and sophomore Lauren Viscione combined for the shutout with five saves.

Up next: at Watchung Hills on Wednesday; at Hillsborough on Friday.

7. Belvidere (1-1) -- County Seaters evened their record with a 3-0 win over Somerville on Saturday in a Skyland Conference cross-divisonal matchup. Seniors Hannah Koch and Elizabeth Dalrymple scored their first goals of the season, while freshman forward Maddie Call notched her first career goal. Senior goalie Maddie Beaumont stopped one shot for the shutout after recording 23 saves in a 4-0 loss to No. 5 Hackettstown last Tuesday.

Up next: at Newton on Monday; at South Hunterdon on Wednesday; at Franklin on Friday.

8. South Hunterdon (1-1) -- Eagles dropped to .500 with a 4-0 loss to Voorhees on Saturday after opening the season with a 3-0 win over Mount St. Mary in a Skyland Conference Mountain Division matchup. Sophomore forward Julia Kreider scored a pair of goals in the win, while senior forward Ashley Eick and junior midfielder Mae Dienes also found the back of the cage. Junior goalie Giovanna Rubino made six saves.

Up next: at Pennington on Tuesday; Belvidere at home on Wednesday; at Somerville on Friday.

9. Sparta (1-1-1) -- Spartans opened with a 1-0 win over Lenape Valley on Sept. 4 and followed that with a 3-3 tie against No. 10 Wallkill Valley on Tuesday and a 2-1 loss to Montville on Saturday. Junior forward Jackie Hallack scored the game winner against the Patriots, assisted by senior forward Rhett Curran as senior goalie Courtney McKenna made seven saves. Curran scored two goals and added an assist against the Rangers, while Hallack had two assists. Hallack notched her second goal of the season on Saturday.

Up next: at High Point on Tuesday; Randolph at home on Saturday.

10. Wallkill Valley (2-1-1) -- Rangers have outscored their opponents 16-5 thus far, scoring a 7-0 win over Pope John in the season opener before a 3-3 draw against No. 9 Sparta. Sophomore forward Morgan Carr scored three goals and added two assists in a 5-0 win over Vernon on Thursday. Carr had the same line against Pope John and leads Wallkill with eight goals, scoring at least one in each game, after finishing with nine all of last season. She had the lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Blair Academy on Saturday.

Up next: at Mount Olive on Tuesday; Kittatinny at home on Wednesday; Hackettstown at home on Friday.

On the bubble: Lenape Valley (0-2); Kittatinny (1-0); North Warren (2-0)

Field hockey: HWS schedule for Sept. 14-19

Monday, Sept. 14

(Both games, 4 p.m.)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Boonton at Kittatinny

Independent

Newton at Belvidere
Lenape Valley at Delaware Valley

Tuesday, Sept. 15

(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Skyland Conference

Voorhees at Warren Hills, 7 p.m.

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Sparta at High Point

Vernon at Pope John

Wallkill Valley at Mount Olive

Independent

South Hunterdon at Pennington

Wednesday, Sept. 16

(All games 3:45 p.m., unless noted)

Skyland Conference

Warren Hills at Montgomery

Voorhees at Delaware Valley

Belvidere at South Hunterdon

Phillipsburg at Watchung Hills

Pingry at Hunterdon Central

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Jefferson at Hackettstown, 4 p.m.

High Point at Lenape Valley, 4 p.m.

Kittatinny at Wallkill Valley, 4 p.m.

Newton at North Warren, 4 p.m. (ppd., TBA)

Thursday, Sept. 17

(Both games 4 p.m.)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Pope John at Morris Hills

Vernon at Mount Olive

Friday, Sept. 18

(All games 3:45 p.m., unless noted)

Skyland Conference

Warren Hills at Ridge

South Hunterdon at Somerville

Phillipsburg at Hillsborough

North Hunterdon at Delaware Valley

Belvidere at Franklin, 4 p.m.

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at Wallkill Valley, 4 p.m.

High Point at Newton, 4 p.m.

Jefferson at Kittatinny, 4 p.m.

Lenape Valley at North Warren, 4 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 19

(All games 10 a.m., unless noted)

Skyland Conference

Mount St. Mary at Voorhees

North Hunterdon at Hunterdon Central, ppd., TBA
Ridge at Phillipsburg

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Morris Knolls at Pope John

Randolph at Sparta

Jefferson at Vernon, 11 a.m.

Field hockey: Streaks storm back to beat Madison

WASHINGTON TWP. -- Warren Hills' field hockey team heated up at the right time after weathering an early storm.

In a two-goal hole just over eight minutes into the game, the Blue Streaks reeled off five straight goals en route to a 5-3 win over Madison in a battle of two top-ranked teams in New Jersey on Friday in the season opener at Warren Hills School District Stadium.

Warren Hills (1-0), the defending Group 3 champion, lost several key players from last year's superb squad, but the Streaks showed the cupboard is far from bare by avenging a 1-0 loss a year ago to Madison, which returned just about everyone following a run to the Group 2 final in 2014.

In addition, Kate Rothman was making her coaching debut at Warren Hills. She couldn't have asked for a better performance. Her Streaks, who have now won nine in a row at home dating to last season, showed tremendous guts in coming back after being down 2-0 and seemingly in danger of being blown out.

"They were beating us in the middle [of the field] so we changed things up," Rothman said. "We couldn't play our three forwards up [on the front line] so we had them stay back. I told them [in a timeout after Madison's second goal] that they were going to win with breakaways because [Madison] wasn't letting our middies feed the ball."

Madison connected off a corner with 27:03 left in the opening half, when forward Caroline Turnbull sent a laser from the top of the circle into the left corner of the cage. Forward Sage Geyer made it 2-0 nearly six minutes later and the Dodgers were rolling early.

But senior forward Katie Thompson delivered a huge goal for Warren Hills with 13:14 left before the half, when Rachel Phillips collected her own rebound and crossed it over to Thompson near the left side of the cage. That sparked the offense as star forward Dani Profita knotted the score with her 41st career goal off a penalty stroke. Profita, a junior, was shoved from behind in the circle by a defender, prompting the stroke call. She later was denied a second goal on a stroke by a stellar save from Madison goalie Emilie Flamme.

Sophomore forward Tali Popinko gave Warren Hills a 3-2 lead with 5:38 to go as she collected a rebound on another shot by Phillips. Popinko also assisted on what proved to be the decisive goal by senior forward Megan Thompson with 1:11 left before the break.

Megan Thompson added her second goal nearly 13 minutes into the second half to give the Streaks some breathing room. Madison wouldn't go away quietly as it fired off 11 shots in the second half to just five for Warren Hills. Turnbull scored her second goal in the final seconds to cap the scoring.

Warren Hills goalie Jackie de Raismes was stellar in the victory as she tallied 13 saves. de Raismes, who started in her first varsity season last year, stopped several point-blanks shots on the pads and patrolled all over the circle.

"It's very exciting when you come out on the winning end," Rothman said.

Up next: Warren Hills returns to action on Thursday for an independent clash at Hackettstown. The Streaks own a commanding 39-4-3 edge in the all-time series dating to 1969, including a pair of 3-0 wins in '14. The Tigers' last win was 2-1 in '06. Rothman will make her return after serving as a middle school coach for Hackettstown before taking the head coaching job at Lenape Valley in 2011. Tigers coach Stephen Speirs' teams are 0-6 against Warren Hills and have been outscored 24-1 in those meetings, which include two HWS matchups in 2013 and '14.

Madison (0-1)                           2                  1              --    3
Warren Hills (1-0)                     4                  1              --    5

Scoring

First half -- M, Caroline Turnbull, 1st, (Kaitlyn DaSilva), 27:03; M, Sage Geyer, 1st, 21:17; WH, Katie Thompson, 1st, (Rachel Phillips), 13:14; WH, Dani Profita, 1st, 12:16; WH, Tali Popinko, 1st, 5:38; WH, Megan Thompson, 1st, (Popinko), 1:11.

Second half -- WH, M. Thompson, 2nd, 17:05; M, Turnbull, 2nd, :12.

Shots -- Madison 16; Warren Hills 12.

Saves -- Emilie Flamme 6, defensive 1 (M); Jackie de Raismes 13 (WH).

Penalty corners -- Madison 10; Warren Hills 4.

2015 Field Hockey preview: Sussex

High Point Wildcats

Coach: Bev Keur (25th season, 350-131-22 over three stints)

2014 record: 5-12-4, 2-4 (third place NJAC Freedom Division)

Key returnees: F Kelsey Little (5 goals), jr.; F Kayla Halloran, sr.; MF Jordyn Martin, jr.; MF Marissa Sinacore, jr.; MF Melissa Way, jr.

Key losses: F Rachel Orr; MF Kristen English; F Victoria Hennion; MF Cassie O'Hern; D Danielle Price; GK Autumn Smith; D Lexa Sabo; GK Amy Aroune; F Lizzy Aroune; F Nicole Chirico; F Sabrina Vealey.

Top newcomers: F Mikayla Schappert, sr.; GK Mindy Steiger, sr.; MF Emily Bove, jr.; D Alyssa Merwin, jr.; F Cassidy Brunning, so.; GK Brittany McKenna, so.

Outlook: The biggest question for the Wildcats, as it was a year ago, will be lack of offensive firepower. Last year's team scored a total of 12 goals in 21 games, and the result was the program's first losing season in recent memory. After reaching the North 1, Group 2 semifinals in 2014, the 'Cats were bounced for the second straight year by West Essex -- 5-0 in the quarterfinals. The program's 54-game unbeaten streak division streak ended with a 2-0 loss to Lenape Valley in season opener. Keur's squad graduated 13 seniors -- eight starters -- so this year's group will be young and inexperienced, especially on defense. Little, who led the 'Cats with five goals a year ago, is a good athlete. Expect this group to struggle, at least early on, and be improved by season's end.

Kittatinny Cougars

Coach: Emily Murray (third season, 23-15-4).

2014 record: 15-7-1, 6-0 (first place NJAC Colonial Division)

Key returnees: F Holly Reznik (18 goals, 5 assists), sr.; F-MF Christina Chernati (8 goals, 6 assists), sr.; F-MF Ashley Brown (3 goals, 4 assists), sr.; D Maureen Douglas, sr.

Key losses: F Alexis Ambrosino (20 goals, 13 assists); F-MF Melissa Toye (7 goals); D Dana Yanvary; MF Sunshine Karns; MF Jenn Makarevich; GK Julia Pevarnik (10 shutouts); D Lindsay McKim.

Top newcomers: MF Carly Gerth, sr.

Outlook: After going 30-47-9 in the previous six seasons, the Cougars enjoyed one of their finest seasons a year ago in Murray's second year at the helm, stunning Lenape Valley, 2-1, in the North 1, Group 1 semifinals before dropping a 1-0 decision to Newton in the sectional final, a team the Cougars had beaten, 2-0 and 3-1, earlier in the season. The loss of Ambrosino hurts an offense that recorded 59 goals in 2014, but Reznik and Chernati return to lead the unit. Questions are more on the defensive side with a new goalie and basically a new backfield with only Douglas returning. With eight new starters, expect this team to go throw some growing pains this season.

Lenape Valley Patriots

Coach: Lauren Fasano (second season, 14-6)

2014 record: 14-6, 6-0 (first place NJAC Freedom Division)

Key returnees: F Hollis Smith (6 goals, 4 assists), sr.; GK Kaylee Gentilucci (7 shutouts), jr.; D Kristen Rafferty, jr.; D Nicole Guisewhite, sr.; MF Bridget Togno, jr.

Key losses: MF Sally Olson (8 goals); F Alyssa Falleni (12 goals); F Kassidy Forik (14 goals); MF Isabelle Becker (4 assists); MF Julia Leyden; MF Autumn Davidson; F Bianca Hernandez; F Judy DeFronzo.

Top newcomers: MF Bailey Connery, jr.; D Sarah Canfield, jr.; D Madyson Griswold, sr.; F Jill Amato, jr.; F Lindsey Bicher, fr.

Outlook: After posting 15 wins during a run to the North 1, Group 1 semifinals in 2013, the Patriots came up short in the semis again last season with a 2-1 loss to Kittatinny. With the bulk of last year's team gone, second-year coach Fasano, a former star athlete at High Point, will begin the rebuilding process. Offensively is where the Pats need to focus after scoring 38 goals in 2013 and 43 in '14, which was a huge improvement over the six goals in 18 games in '12. Smith scored six goals as a junior, but she benefited from a good supporting cast. Defensively, Gentilucci has been solid in her two seasons in the cage with a combined 25 shutouts.

Newton Braves

Coach: Lisa Bechtel (26th season, 361-131-16)

2014 record: 13-6-5, 3-2-1 (second place NJAC Colonial Division)

Key returnees: MF Hannah Ervey, sr.; MF-D Jordan Coiro, sr.; F Brittany Schumann (9 assists), jr.; MF Natalie Rivas (11 goals, 6 assists), jr.; F Emily Weiss (6 goals, 4 assists), sr.; F Kate Barbato (6 goals), jr.; F-MF Brianna Monahos, sr.; F-MF Olivia Weiss, sr.; GK Amanda Alessandra, sr.; GK Katie O'Brien, sr.; D Lily Estevez, sr.; MF Caitlyn McAdams, sr.; MF-D Emma Orabone, jr.; MF-D Jordan Pavlishin, sr.; D Becky Powers, jr.; F-MF Nikki Rizzo, jr.

Key losses: GK Jenna Zawislak (11 shutouts); MF-D Sara Smith; F Sarah Parks (4 goals).

Top newcomers: MF Taylor Boyer, jr.; MF-D Lisa Qarmout, jr.; F Emily Herring, so.; F-MF Katy Van Orden, jr.

Outlook: After a rare sub-.500 season in 2013, the Braves bounced back in a big way by capturing the program's first sectional title in the Bechtel's tenure -- avenging a pair of regular-season losses with a 1-0 win over Kittatinny in the North 1, Group 1 final. With the bulk of that championship squad returning, expect the Braves to make another run. Rivas, who led the team in scoring a year ago, will anchor a unit that only produced 33 goals in 24 games and struggled at times. On defense, replacing Zawislak in the cage is the priority for a unit that carried the team for the most part last season. Big game with Sparta at home on Oct.19, which should determine top team in the county.

Pope John Lions

Coach: Laura Kasa (first season; 22-70-4 in five seasons at North Warren).

2014 record: 10-9-1, 6-2 (second place NJAC American Division)

Key returnees: F Maddie Jordan (1 goal, 9 assists), so.; D Katie Callahan, sr.; MF Adriana Purcell, so.

Key losses: MF Carleen O'Connell (23 goals, 7 assists); MF Sarah Bramley; F Molly Romania (5 goals); D Baylee Vozza (9 assists); D Sarah Gonzalez; GK Sam Scalabrini (7 shutouts); MF Taylor Bailey.

Top newcomers: MF Jordan Gulick, fr.

Outlook: Lions challenged for the division title last year and went 1-1 in the rugged Non-Public North section, beating Mount St. Dominic, 2-0, before dropping a 4-0 decision to Kent Place in the quarterfinals. Kasa comes over from North Warren, where she guided the Warren County school to its first winning season in recent memory a year ago. Now, she has the task of rebuilding with the Lions, who took a big hit with graduation, including the loss of O'Connell, who scored 23 of the team's 32 goals in 2014. Jordan, who shared the team lead in assists last season, will be counted on to help guide the offense as the only player on the roster with a varsity goal.

Sparta Spartans

Coach: Kristin Lindsley (fourth season, 29-25-2)

2014 record: 13-6-1, 8-0 (first place NJAC American Division)

Key returnees: MF Gretchen Bowie (6 goals, 9 assists), sr.; F Rhett Curran (20 goals, 11 assists), sr.; F Jackie Hallack (8 goals, 5 assists), jr.; D Alex Curran, sr.; GK Courtney McKenna (7 shutouts), sr.

Key losses: MF Julia Silvestri (4 goals, 5 assists); F Abby Tracey (8 goals, 7 assists); MF Kelly Nam; MF Shannon Monahan; D Nicole Gerardiello; D Isabella Ardizzone.

Top newcomers: MF Isabel Passerini, jr.; MF Isabella Candeloro, jr.; MF Kelly Martin, jr.; GK Angela Elzind, so.; D Paige Ryan, jr.; D Carol Mathusek, sr.

Outlook: The amazing transformation of this once doormat program continued last season with 13 wins a the program's first division title. After going a dismal 8-56-2 from 2009-12, including an 0-16 campaign in '11, the Spartans have reeled off 24 wins the last two seasons. Offensive consistency has been the key, scoring 36 goals in 2013 and 48 in '14, after just two in '11 and 19 in '12. Bowie and Curran are back to lead that unit, along with Hallack, who scored eight goals as a sophomore. Defensively, Alex Curran and McKenna will anchor a unit that yielded 29 goals in 20 games a year ago and produced seven shutouts If the Spartans can tighten up on defense, a sectional title run isn't out of the question for one of the top programs in the county.

Vernon Vikings

Coach: Hollyce Schoepp (sixth season, 44-48-3)

2014 record: 5-12-2, 3-5 (third place NJAC American Division)

Key returnees: F McKenzie Alter (5 goals, 3 assists), jr.; F Emily Garofalo, sr.; D Lindsay Verrico, sr.; GK Lauren Incarnato (3 shutouts), sr.; F Brenna DelBagno, jr.; F Brianna White, jr.; F Danielle Ward, sr.; D Savannah Artsma, sr.; MF Montana Avagnano, sr.; D Jenna Day, sr.; MF Abie Leggour, sr.

Key losses: D Regina Incarnato; D Marissa Molloy.

Top newcomers: D Keri Stefkovich, sr.; GK Kaitlyn Gallaugher, jr.

Outlook: Vikings have enjoyed success in the odd years of late, rebounding from a tough 4-win season in 2012 to notch double-digit wins in '13 for the second time in three seasons after winning 15 games in '11. As was the case last season, the offense will be key this fall. The Vikes scored 17 goals, and no more than two in all but two games last season. Defense has been the calling card for Schoepp's teams during her tenure and this year should be no different, despite the graduation of Regina Incarnato, one of the area's top backs. With nine returning varsity players, expect this group to improve on last year's win total and hover around the .500 mark.

Wallkill Valley Rangers

Coach: Irene Chernati (30th season, 363-194-9)

2014 record: 7-10-2, 1-4-1 (third place NJAC Colonial Division)

Key returnees: F Morgan Carr (9 goals, 4 assists), so.; F Danielle Seabeck (9 goals, injured), jr.; MF Erica McNaulty (3 goals), sr.; MF Leah Struble, sr.; F Caitlyn Mizeski (3 goals), so.; F Fiona Blake, so.; MF Nicole Hopper (4 assists), sr.; D Angelique Wygonowski, jr.

Key losses: D Meg Good; GK Merinda Gruszecki; D Casey Murphy; D Laura David.

Top newcomers: F Sam Hopper, jr.; D Celena Persuad, sr.; D Kylee Nicolai, sr.; D Lousieth Nazairre, jr.; D Lexi DeOliveira, jr.; GK Sam Hutnick, jr.; F Legend Hicks, jr.; D Jada Martin, jr.; F Kristina Delgado, jr.; F Tara Brod, so.

Outlook: Rangers made a third straight run to sectional quarterfinals, dropping a 5-1 decision to Lenape Valley in the North 1, Group 1 quarters last season -- after avenging a loss to Mountain Lakes, 1-0 in OT, which bounced Wallkill the year before. Offense, which was a question mark in recent seasons, picked up a year ago with 30 goals after scoring 27 in 2013. The loss of Seabeck (ACL injury) is a tough blow. Defensively, there are some question marks with a new goalie and the graduation of several starting backs. If this group can improve quickly, the Rangers could surprise behind a solid coaching staff.

2015 Field hockey preview: Hunterdon-Warren

Belvidere County Seaters

Coach: Beth Franceschino (second season of second stint, 10-8-1)

2014 record: 10-8-1, 5-1 (first place Skyland Conference Mountain Division)

Key returnees: F-MF Hannah Koch (5 goals), sr.; MF Elizabeth Dalrymple, sr.; F Kara Tipton (5 goals, 6 assists), jr.; GK Maddie Beaumont (8 shutouts), sr.; D Mackenzie Sera, sr.; MF Paige White, sr.; D Erin Bronico, jr.; D Rachel Dultz, jr.; F Katie Spadaccini (4 goals), sr.; D Rayna Harrison, sr.; MF Traci Kieffer, jr.

Key losses: F Erin Sassaman (17 goals); D Haley Enslin.

Top newcomers: F Maddie Call, fr.; MF Sam Bittenbender, so.; D Jenna Schaffer, sr.; MF Alex Navarra, so.

Outlook: The County Seaters rebounded from a sub-.500 campaign in 2013, winning 10 games and capturing the first Skyland Conference Mountain Division title, while dropping a 1-0 decision to North Warren in the North 1, Group 1 playoffs. There is enough experience back to make another run at the division, but the offense took a hit with the graduation of leading scorer Sassaman. Koch, a three-year starter, and Tipton will be the go-to players on the offensive end. Beaumont has been solid in the cage and will lead what could be a formidable defensive unit that yielded only 22 goals last season and two or fewer in 16 contests.

Delaware Valley Terriers

Coach: Stephanie Cirino (fifth season, 30-41-4)

2014 record: 9-11-1, 3-5 (third place Skyland Conference Valley Division)

Key returnees: F Ann Bill (6 goals), jr.; F Katie Maddalena (4 goals), sr.; F Courtney Soper (4 goals), sr.; F-MF Kerrianne Blankenship (4 goals), sr.;GK Morgan Davies (8 shutouts), sr.; D Cassie Blankenship, sr.; D Jeanne Harabedian, jr.

Key losses: MF Caroline Vath; MF Alyssa Orrico (5 assists); D Brianna Skripko (6 goals, 4 assists); MF Tina Crotty (6 assists); D Abbey Ferdinando.

Top newcomers: F Riley Ferrera, jr.; Trinity Perini, fr.; D Kathryn Schutta, jr.; MF Clare Nugent, fr.; F Sarah Babcock, so.; F Megan Donnelly, fr.; F-MF Rachel Orrico, so.; MF Alanna Crotty, so.; MF Erin Pfreundschuh, jr.; MF Sarah Bobrowski, jr.; D Sarah Saccal, jr.; GK Jillian DePinto, jr.

Outlook: After three straight 6-10-1 seasons, the Terriers are coming off back-to-back nine-win campaigns and a trip to the North 2, Group 2 semifinals. The improvement can be attributed to more consistent offensive production with 29 goals in 2014 after being shut out 10 times and scoring a total of 22 goals in 2013. No other game produced more than two goals. Defensively, Davies returns for a third season in the cage, but she will need help against the better teams on the schedule. In two regular-season losses to Voorhees a year ago, the Terriers yielded a total of nine goals and five to Hunterdon Central. In the other 18 games, the opponents scored a total of 17. If the offense can keep improving, this team could very well break the .500 mark.

Hackettstown Tigers

Coach: Stephen Speirs (sixth season, 50-43-2)

2014 record: 15-5, 4-2 (second place NJAC Freedom Division)

Key returnees: F Kayli Yeisley (8 goals), sr.; F Molly Gorczyca (6 goals, 10 assists), jr.; D Michaela Sass, sr.; MF Samantha Strathern (3 goals), sr.; GK Rose Bishop (10 shutouts), sr.; MF Cayla Andrews (4 goals, 3 assists), sr.; D Madison Kennedy (3 assists), sr.

Key losses: F Kelly Healy (14 goals, 3 assists); D Allana Fitzgerald; MF Kaitlyn Keiser; F Ericka Salus; D Marissa Siconolfi.

Top newcomers: D Sierra Castiglia, fr.; F Kaitlyn Cogan, jr.; F Madison Hoskins, fr.; D Nicole Jerome, jr.; F Kayla Nicholls, so.; F Jessica Scheper, fr.; D Cheyenne Scudder, jr.; F Jordan Vandermark, fr.

Outlook: Tigers rose above the .500 mark for the first time since 2009 two years ago, and made another leap forward with a 15-win season in 2014, dropping a 4-0 decision to Group 2 runner-up Madison in the North 1, Group 2 semifinals. This year's group has enough experience back for another solid season. The defense is a bit of a question mark, but Bishop is coming off back-to-back solid campaigns in her first two seasons in the cage. The Tigers are overwhelming favorites to win the Freedom Division title. Their second game against Warren Hills could tell how they will do against some of the tougher teams on the schedule this season.

Hunterdon Central Red Devils

Coach: Jenn Sponzo (17th season, 224-115-16)

2014 record: 16-7, 6-2 (second place Skyland Conference Delaware Division)

Key returnees: F Maddie Freeman (14 goals, 8 assists), sr.; MF Nikki Freeman (3 goals, 4 assists), jr.; F Amanda Whitlock (3 goals), sr.; F Jill Murray, sr.; MF Adrianna Ruggieri (3 assists), sr.; GK Molly Lafferty, sr.

Key losses: F Kendall Nickel (21 goals, 8 assists); F Taylor Barrett (10 goals, 7 assists), sr.; MF Kailey Dalgauer (15 goals, 10 assists), sr.; D Erin Vecchio, sr.; GK Hannah Cecchini.

Top newcomers: MF Brittany Bill, so.; F Madi Colon, sr.; D Dayna DeVincentz, jr.; D Megan Fisher, sr.

Outlook: After winning back-to-back North 2, Group 4 sectional championships, the Red Devils' run ended with a 2-0 loss to nemesis Bridgewater in last year's final. Sponzo's teams have won seven sectional titles and this program is annually among the area's elite. Offensively, Central has gone from 11 goals in 2010 to 48 in '11, 51 in '12, 69 in '13 and 74 in '14. The loss of Nickel, Dalgauer and Barrett -- who combined for 46 of those 74 goals last season -- hurts, but Maddie Freeman returns to anchor that unit. Defense, which is usually a hallmark of Sponzo's teams, is still a bit of a question mark after giving up high goal totals to the better teams on the schedule last year. Lafferty assumes the full-time duties in the cage after spot play last season. Consistency on both sides of the ball will be the key to another successful campaign.

North Hunterdon Lions

Coach: Suzanne Toke (third season, 5-31-1).

2014 record: 3-16, 2-6 (fourth place Skyland Conference Raritan Division)

Key returnees: GK Liz Rotolo, sr; MF Jenna Macri, sr.; F-MF Amy Sroka, sr.; MF Alara Murphy, sr.; D Natalie Thompson, sr.; D Taylor Danson, sr.; D Catrina Nelson, sr.

Key losses: MF Grace Plassche; F Jamie Ruggiero (3 assists); MF Caroline Coleman; F Molly Walsh (3 goals); D Sarah VanDuynhoven; D Alyssa Bennett; F Emily Fiorelli. F Christina Chamberlin, (moved out of state), sr.

Top newcomers:  F Haley Chioda, sr.; F Jasmine Perez, sr.; D Sam Slapa, sr.; D Clara Fischer, jr.; D Mackenzie Gilvey, jr.; F Abby Miller, jr.; F Courtney Nealon, jr.; MF Nicole Perez, jr.; MF Lexi Ponitowski, so.; D Lauren Wagner, so.; GK Wesley Taylor, jr.

Outlook: Lions have fallen on hard times in recent years, going 39-106-3 over the last seven seasons. The losses of Plassche and Ruggiero will hurt an offense that struggled to score 13 goals and was shut out 10 times last year. In fact, no returning player has a goal or an assist on the varsity level. Needless to say, offense will be the key to a turnaround. Defensively, Rotolo returns in the cage for a unit that yielded 67 goals in 19 games in 2014.

North Warren Patriots

Coach: Brian Gravatt (first season).

2014 record: 10-9-1, 1-5 (fourth place NJAC Colonial Division)

Key returnees: GK Jenna Sagan (8 shutouts), jr.; F-MF Gianna Lorusso, sr.; F-MF Kelsey Conlon, sr.; F-MF Claudia Wetzel (6 goals, 4 assists), sr.; F-MF Sydney MacDonough (3 goals), jr.; D Elinor Dowd, jr.; D Carly DeSanto, sr.; GK Mackenzie Cyr, so.; GK Jenna Sagan, jr.

Key losses: F-MF Jessica Towey (8 goals, 8 assists); F Megan Stevens (8 goals, 7 assists); MF Elena Benson; MF Kaitlin Bertholf; D Amanda Konecnik; F Laine Ivey.

Top newcomers: F-MF Julia Wetzel, so.; F-MF Sydney Janerio, so.; F-MF Danielle Pergola, jr.

Outlook: Gravatt takes over for Laura Kasa, now at Pope John, whose teams went 22-70-4 over the last five seasons. After a combined 13 wins the previous three seasons, the Patriots broke out a year ago with their first winning season in recent memory. Towey, a four-year starter, and Stevens will be missed on the offensive side, as they produced 16 of the team's 31 goals in 2014. Lorusso and Claudia Wetzel will be counted on heavily to anchor this year's unit. The defense was much improved last season, yielding 33 goals after allowing nearly twice as many (61) the previous year. Having a returning goalie with two years of varsity experience under her belt in Sagan will help.

Phillipsburg Stateliners

Coach: Jennifer Paulus (fifth season, 29-45-4)

2014 record: 7-11-2, 6-2 (second place Skyland Conference Raritan Division)

Key returnees: F Kylie Marhold (9 goals, 6 assists), sr.; F Ellie Zgoda (7 goals), sr.; MF-D Lacey O'Dowd (3 goals), sr.; F Abby Evans (3 goals), so.; GK Samantha DeRogatis, jr.

Key losses: MF Emily DiMarco; GK Rachael Horun; MF Viktoria Schultz; F-MF Kerianne Vianden.

Top newcomers: GK Lauren Viscione, so.; MF-B Gabby Dudek, fr.; F-MF Allison Horton, fr.

Outlook: Stateliners improved on a tough two-win season in 2013, going 6-2 in a tough Skyland Conference Raritan Division and 1-1 in the North 2, Group 4 playoffs, beating Union, 2-1, before ending the season for the second straight year with a loss at Randolph. Another step in the process will be finding consistency on the offensive side. Last year's team scored a total of 28 goals after tallying just eight goals in 2013. Marhold will again be counted on up front, while O'Dowd will help lead a young group in the midfield. Another plus was retaining assistant coach Toni Popinko, the former Warren Hills star who interviewed for the head coaching job at her alma mater.

South Hunterdon Eagles

Coach: Stephanie Davis (second season, 8-10)

2014 record: 8-10, 3-3 (third place Skyland Conference Mountain Division)

Key returnees: F Ashley Eick, (2 goals) sr.; F Carly Leary (6 goals), jr.; F Kate Shaffer (5 goals), jr.; GK Giovanna Rubino (4 shutouts), jr.; D Kendall Storcella, jr.; D Rachel Knappenberger, sr.; D Emily Carrier, jr.; MF Mae Dienes, jr.; MF Rebecca Godown (3 goals), jr.; D Carolina Restrepo, sr.; F Julia Kreider, so.; F Brooke Tumler, so.

Key losses: MF Natalie Muscatell; D Lena Sabidussi.

Top newcomers: D Claire Greenwood, so.; F Maggie Morrison, so.; D Norah Clifford, fr.; GK Kerry Coleman, fr.; D Nicole Costantini, fr.; MF Jenna Godown, fr.; MF Jada Kauth, fr.; D Hannah Kozuhowski, fr.; F Ashley Lucarini, fr.; F-MF Sophia Petrucci, fr.

Outlook: After losing eight starters from a 16-win team in 2013, the Eagles predictably struggled last season. Davis begins her second season with renewed optimism coming off an appearance in the North 2, Group 1 quarterfinals. Eick, who scored 14 goals two years ago, will be counted on to help lead an offense that produced just 20 goals in 18 games. Leary and Shaffer were the leading scorers in 2014. Defense was a question mark last year with a new goalie, but Rubino returns in the cage along with nearly the entire backfield to anchor a unit that yielded one goal or fewer in 11 games. Expect the Hunterdon County school to improve on last year's win total.

Voorhees Vikings

Coach: Taylor Webb (fifth season, 62-17-3)

2014 record: 19-3-2, 7-1 (T-first place Skyland Conference Valley Division)

Key returnees: F Kathryn Roncoroni (44 goals, 16 assists), sr.; MF Hannah Schiavo (8 goals, 6 assists), jr.; MF Isabelle Houser (11 assists), sr.; D Lexi Crans, sr.; D Morgan McCord, sr.; F Emma Frost, sr.; F Cori Lenzinger (3 goals), sr.; F Jenna Smego (6 goals), sr.; D Sam Nicol, sr.; D Hannah Parnham, sr.; D Gillian Panreck, sr.; D Sarah Matyas, so.

Key losses: F Hannah Ryan (13 goals); GK Lauren Pianucci (16 shutouts); F Abby Flagler (4 goals, 8 assists).

Top newcomers: GK Laura Chen, so.; GK Annie Weiler, jr.; GK Stevie Lynn Ader, jr.

Outlook: Vikings are primed and loaded once again after sharing the Skyland Conference Valley Division title with Bernards last season and dropping a heartbreaking 1-0 decision in overtime to Summit in the North 2, Group 2 sectional final. Roncoroni is one of the area's most prolific and talented offensive players, setting the school's single-season goals record as a junior. She also owns both the single season (104) and career points mark (203), as well as the career goals record with 89. Plenty of talent surrounds her, including Schiavo who is one of the more unheralded players around. Defense is always the glue, but a big key will be replacing Pianucci in the cage. Expect this well-coached program to again challenge for division, county and sectional titles.

Warren Hills Blue Streaks

Coach: Kate Rothman (first season, 20-34-3 in three seasons at Lenape Valley)

2014 record: 23-4, 8-0 (first place Skyland Conference Raritan Division)

Key returnees: F Dani Profita (24 goals, 16 assists), jr.; MF Katie Thompson (8 goals, 20 assists), sr.; F Megan Thompson (12 goals, 7 assists), sr.; D Rachel Phillips, sr.; MF Julie DeSanto, sr.; MF Tali Popinko, so.; F Caroline Cotte (6 assists, injured), jr.; D Brie Schwab, jr.; GK Jackie de Raismes (17 shutouts), jr.

Key losses: F Sydney Muntone (29 goals, 20 assists); MF Nikki Profita (20 goals, 15 assists); F Jessica Nissen (19 goals, 6 assists); D Amanda Crampton (13 goals, 13 assists); D Allie Brouhard (10 goals, 6 assists); D Amanda Oberly.

Top newcomers: F Rebecca Sigman, so.; MF Mikayla Dugan, so.

Outlook: Blue Streaks are coming off their fourth straight division title and its first Group 3 state championship, while also setting a school record for wins. Can they do it again? One look at the graduation losses may seem a reach, but this loaded group is plenty talented and ready for another run. Dani Profita, a three-year starter, is fully healthy after starting last season off ACL surgery. With 40 goals in two seasons, she will now anchor the offense. Katie and Megan Thompson are also star players, while Phillips is one of the top defensive players around on a unit lost big performers in the backfield. de Raismes stepped in as a rookie in the cage and did a fine job, so having her back with a full season of experience is a huge plus. Rothman, who previously turned around Lenape Valley's once doormat program, stepped into a very tough spot late this summer after Laurie Kerr resigned in early June following 15 highly-successful seasons. It's an all new staff for 2015.

Field hockey: HWS schedule for Sept. 4-11

Friday, Sept. 4

(All games 4 p.m.)

Independent

Madison at Warren Hills

Delaware Valley at Hackettstown

Johnson Regional at Newton

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Lenape Valley at Sparta

Saturday, Sept. 5

(All games 10 a.m.)

Independent

Voorhees at West Essex

East Brunswick at Delaware Valley

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Pope John at Wallkill Valley

Tuesday, Sept. 8

(All games 4 p.m., unless noted)

Skyland Conference

Delaware Valley at Phillipsburg, 3:45 p.m.

Independent

Belvidere at Hackettstown

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Kittatinny at Randolph

Newton at Mount Olive

North Warren at Pope John

Wallkill Valley at Sparta

Boonton at Vernon

Thursday, Sept. 10

(All games 3:45 p.m., unless noted)

Skyland Conference

Voorhees at Bernards (ppd., TBA)

Mount St. Mary at South Hunterdon

Montgomery at Phillipsburg

Hunterdon Central at Hillsborough

North Plainfield at Belvidere

Watchung Hills at North Hunterdon, 5 p.m.

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Pope John at Parsippany Hills, 4 p.m.

Sparta at Roxbury, 4 p.m. (ppd. to 9/24)

Vernon at Wallkill Valley, 4 p.m.

Independent

Warren Hills at Hackettstown, 4 p.m. (ppd., TBA)

Lenape Valley at Delaware Valley, 4 p.m. (ppd. to 9/14)

Friday, Sept. 11

Independent

Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg (Pa.) at North Warren, 3:45 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 12

(All games 10 a.m., unless noted)

Skyland Conference

Voorhees at South Hunterdon

Hunterdon Central at Watchung Hills

Somerville at Belvidere, 2 p.m.

North Hunterdon at Bridgewater-Raritan, 2:15 p.m.

Ridge at Phillipsburg, 2:30 p.m. (ppd. to 9/19)

Pingry at Warren Hills, 3 p.m.

Delaware Valley at Mount St. Mary, 3 p.m. (ppd., TBA)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

West Morris at Hackettstown (ppd., TBA)

North Warren at Vernon (ppd. to 10/29)

High Point at Mendham, noon

Montville at Sparta, 2 p.m.

Whippany Park at Pope John, 2:30 p.m. (ppd., TBA)

Independent

Bernards at Lenape Valley

Wallkill Valley at Blair Academy, 2:30 p.m.

Field hockey: Returning scoring leaders for 2015

   (Minimum 10 points in 2014)

Player	School	Goals	Assists	Points
Kathryn Roncoroni	Voorhees	44	16	104
Dani Profita	Warren Hills	24	16	64
Rhett Curran	Sparta	20	11	51
Holly Reznik	Kittatinny	18	5	41
Maddie Freeman	Hunterdon Central	14	8	36
Katie Thompson	Warren Hills	8	20	36
Megan Thompson	Warren Hills	12	7	31
Natalie Rivas	Newton	11	6	28
Kylie Marhold	Phillipsburg	9	6	24
Hannah Schiavo	Voorhees	8	6	22
Morgan Carr	Wallkill Valley	9	4	22
Christina Chernati	Kittatinny	8	6	22
Molly Gorczyca	Hackettstown	6	10	22
Gretchen Bowie	Sparta	6	9	21
Jackie Hallack	Sparta	8	5	21
Danielle Seabeck	Wallkill Valley	9	1	19
Kayli Yeisley	Hackettstown	8	2	18
Kara Tipton	Belvidere	5	6	16
Emily Weiss	Newton	6	4	16
Hollis Smith	Lenape Valley	6	4	16
Ellie Zgoda	Phillipsburg	7	1	15
Isabelle Houser	Voorhees	2	11	15
Ann Bill	Delaware Valley	6	2	14
Jenna Smego	Voorhees	6	2	14
Carly Leary	South Hunterdon	6	1	13
Brittany Schumann	Newton	2	9	13
Kate Barbato	Newton	6	1	13
McKenzie Alter	Vernon	5	3	13
Kate Shaffer	South Hunterdon	5	2	12
Claudia Wetzel	North Warren	5	1	11
Cayla Andrews	Hackettstown	4	3	11
Maddie Jordan	Pope John	1	9	11
Hannah Koch	Belvidere	5	0	10
Kathryn Spadaccini	Belvidere	4	2	10
Kelsey Little	High Point	5	0	10
Nikki Freeman	Hunterdon Central	3	4	10
Ashley Brown	Kittatinny	3	4	10