BLUE HEN B

Concord (10-5-2) fell into an 0-3 hole before regaining form and repeating as Blue Hen B champions in 2002. The Raiders will miss their Ashleys, Rowell who twice led the conference in scoring and Judge, the Delaware Sports Athlete of the Year, but a conference "threepeat" in 2003 is a certainty.

The midfield will be better than last year with some combination of the Hearns, Katie and Marny, and Maureen Meara. Miss Rowell’s goals will be more difficult to replace. Senior Amy Dencker and junior Jackie Almond will try with help from sophomores Kelly Fox and Kim Schlezes. In the back, senior Jenni Doorey, an all conference defender, will get help from Stacey Richardson while GK Jen Harding, all conference in 2001, returns in the cage.

Concord will again face a very difficult opening week with Wilmington Christian, William Penn and Tower Hill. After that it should be smooth sailing with only Brandywine and Caravel as serious opponents. It’s past time for Concord to win out of conference.

At A I duPont (8-5-3) coach Cindy DePrisco turned around a moribund program and came within one game of the state tournament. Defense was the key as goals allowed dropped by more than half. But 12 seniors fueled that revival and they won’t be easily replaced. GK Danielle Nourie will be especially missed. A I will be very good in the midfield with three returning seniors, Lindsey and Whitney Turnbull and Ashleigh LaTonick. Jill Regester will bring experience to the attack. The rest of the side will have to emerge.

Charter (6-7-1) rallied after suffering through a winless September in 2002. Seniors Katie Zarroli and Kristina Huber will supply most of the offensive Force. Audrey and Margaret Inden and Madhuri Saligrama will bolster the midfield and attack while Kate Barteau defends. Holly Hollestein will have a big job filling the kickers of departed GK Holly Daulton.

Mount Pleasant (7-7-2) salvaged the season by finishing with four consecutive wins. After a dreadful 1-5 September, that wasn’t easy. In 2001 Mount allowed only 10 goals all season; in 2002 the defense collapsed and opponents scored 17 goals – in the first 4 games!

Once again Mount has too many seniors to replace. Senior Stephanie Melvin tallied eight goals in 2002 and is the best returning field player. Fellow senior GK Jackie Green returns for her third season in the cage. The Mounties’ days of challenging the big boys in the BHC are just a memory.

Dickinson (1-10) replaced eight starters and was very young in 2002. This year’s key returnees will be forward Corey Kuhns, who scored all of the Rams’ goals last season and GK Erin Amende, who made double digit saves eight times and faced double digit shots every game in 2002. The Rams will be better but not enough to climb the Blue Hen B ladder.

Concord will coast; A I, Charter and Mount will compete for place and show; Dickinson will be the caboose.

 

Non Conference

Caravel’s (10-4-2) 2002 season demonstrated what an unpredictable sport field hockey can be. The Bucs returned all their attackers while replacing all the defenders and the keeper from their Final Four team of 2001. So what happened? The newcomers allowed just 10 goals all season, 7 fewer than the year before, while the experienced attackers scored just 28 goals, 17 fewer. In 2002, if Caravel scored a goal, they won the game. In all four losses and both ties Caravel was held scoreless.

Caravel’s situation this year is not dissimilar. The goal scorers are returning – Lindsay Niggebrugge (7g), who has led the Bucs in scoring the past two seasons, Heather Richardson (6) and midfielder Meredith Brown (6). Seniors Chelsea Seedorf and Sharon Beers will flank Ms Brown. In the back, GK Megan Manubay returns after a great junior year but she’ll need new defensive partners. If they can be found, Caravel will do just fine; a seventh trip to the tournament seems certain.

Red Lion (7-7-2) has improved every season but needs to score more goals when facing quality opposition. The Lions will look to Nikki Funston and Brook and Anna Tadlock for offense. Ashley LeNoir will also contribute if she can replace the scoring touch sister Jessica took to Drexel. Tadlocks will be all over the field, as Ashley Tadlock will anchor the defense in front of GK Leigh Ann Jasinnas. The Lions are stalking a tournament bid but that may be premature in 2003.

INDEPENDENT CONFERENCE

 

Tower Hill (18-2) had another remarkable season, despite losing more than one regular season game for the first time since 1990. Friends and Sanford combined to end Tower’s Independent Conference monopoly but the Hillers captured their 13^th state title behind Paige Schmidt’s tournament-for-the-ages performance. In November, Ms Schmidt was a one-woman wrecking crew scoring six goals (three of them game winners) and assisting on three others while dominating the midfield, especially at Rullo.

Paige and her 16 goals are back, along with a strong supporting cast so title #14 is only three short months away. Senior Carolina Jolly (2g) will be Paige’s playmate in the midfield. Tower’s offensive production dropped by 35 goals in 2002 but the forward line, seniors Alex Albright (7) and Kelly Hocutt (2)and juniors Leigh Giacco (8) and Mauri Liberati (8), returns intact and promises to make good the shortfall. Nikki White, if she returns from a 2002 soccer injury, will be icing on the cake. Senior Kristen Diver and junior Catherine Herlihy (1)will anchor the defense. Miss Herlihy, widely known as a relentless, all-state defender in soccer, is no slouch with a hockey stick in her hands! Junior Jackie Kluger should inherit the pads as Delaware hockey’s "Maytag Repairwoman."

Tower had to replace eight seniors last season so the 2002 model sputtered at times; the 2003 model won’t. Not only does Tower return plenty; their 2002 JV team went undefeated.

Tatnall’s nightmarish season (1-13-2) ended prematurely with a frosty "no mas" in the snow versus Friends. Amidst the wreckage, the team certainly showed character and enough promise to enter the 2003 campaign with a degree of optimism. The Hornets were pushovers for Friends and Tower Hill but for the most part played very competitively. Tatnall took a state-high seven games to OT in 2002 (1-4-2). In extra time they lost to Catholic Conference champs St Mark’s, drew with Wilmington Christian and Blue Hen B champs Concord and upset Henlopen South champs Lake Forest for their only win.

The Hornets were very young in 2002 and only graduated three players in June; so eight very experienced starters return. Seniors Caitlin Robbins (2g) and Athena Manolakos (2), all-staters in lacrosse and soccer respectively, have been playing forever while fellow seniors Alison Boliek and Sarah Pollock will key the defense. Three juniors Hillary Woodward, Shannon Axon and Dori Charles return on attack. Tatnall tried a goalkeeping troika in 2002 but GK Amanda Jacobs was desperately missed as goals allowed exploded. Tatnall must tighten up in the circle.

Tatnall plays a difficult schedule with St Mark’s, Archmere, Brandywine, Concord, Wilmington Christian, Indian River and Lake Forest constituting an out of conference rogues gallery. With only 5 wins over the last two years, there’s nowhere to go but up for the Hornets. Tatnall is poised for a dramatic turnaround and will be much better in 2003. Tatnall should resume its traditional role as Independent Conference bridesmaid. A return to the tournament will be a more difficult proposition.

In recent years, numbers and interest have been problems at Tatnall. Let’s hope 2002’s strong freshman turnout and a successful 2003 season reverse that disturbing trend.

 

 

St Andrew’s (4-9) will resemble the lacrosse team in personnel if not results. Laxers will form the nucleus of the team in attackers Clare Nowakowski, Sara duPont and Ashley Holbrook and midfielders Sarah Walter and Erica Landskroener. Unfortunately, the Cardinals’ lacrosse scoring prowess doesn’t convert to hockey as SAS has struggled offensively, averaging less than 10 goals per season the last three years. SAS will make their Turf Bowl debut October 10^th versus Sanford.

 

Sanford (8-7-1) made Sanford hockey history in 2002 by ending Tower Hill’s 42 game unbeaten streak but the season ended in disappointment as the senior-laden Warriors failed to make the tournament, dropping back-to-back 2-1 games in the final week. Meghan Hihn (1g), Jen Samonisky, Brittany Monastra and Alexis Esbitt lead the returnees. Sophomore Esbitt is a field hockey rarity as a returning first team, all Independent Conference midfielder. Sanford graduated 11 in June, with them went 22 of the 23 goals scored last season. The Warriors will battle with the Cardinals for third in the conference.

The Independent Conference champions, Friends (16-3) had a fantastic 2002 but the moment the Friends’ faithful feared has finally arrived. Ten starters, many of them three and four year starters, are gone. This year’s team will form around senior midfielder/defender Colleen Farrell, an all conference honoree, and junior attacker Hanna Beswick (5g). In 2002, Ms Beswick came off the bench and showed she can be a dangerous attacker in the circle if the ball finds her stick. Seniors Sarah Lester and Abby Hughes-Strange will also be important pieces of the puzzle.

As always, defense will be the key to Friends’ success. Sara Graves, the heir apparent to an all-state GK, will find her tenure in the cage very different from her predecessor’s. The WFS Sharks summer league showing should help confidence but after three straight tournament appearances Friends will not return in 2003. Last spring, Friends’ lacrosse, also in a rebuilding mode, went astray; let’s hope field hockey doesn’t stumble down the same path.

Are we witnessing the demise of the Independent Conference in field hockey? In 1998, four of the five IC teams made the state tournament; in 1999, three of the top six seeds were IC teams; in 2001 and 2002 just two IC teams were included; in 2003, it’s quite likely that only one IC team will make the postseason.

Henlopen South sent four teams to the 2002 state tournament, the most of any conference, and may be Delaware’s most balanced conference. The 2003 race should see Lake Forest home yet again, with Indian River, Delmar, Laurel and Smyrna in pursuit.

Lake Forest (11-4-1) repeated as HS champions, unfortunately the joy was tempered by the Spartans’ heartbreaking first-round loss to Delmar. The premature denouement won’t be repeated in 2003. Lake Forest returns talent and experience the length of the field and has more scorers than there are attacking positions. Danielle Vincent (10g) and Kate (9) and Taryn Neeman (5) are the leading scorers but Ashley Carey (5) Colleen Gleeson (3) and Jessica Cortellino (3) can also also rattle the cage. Kasey Dobos (1) and Ashley Salmons are very good in the midfield. Junior Sabra Holt will wear the foam; her consort in the back will be Jennifer Borowski. Lake will be a handful and should threepeat. When tournament time comes, get out of the way, this team is Rullo bound.

One caveat, in 2002 Lake was 0-3 in OT. No opponent may last that long in 2003 but the Spartans must improve that aspect of their game. They certainly have the speed and skill to do so.

Indian River (10-7) finished the regular season on a five game roll to return to the tournament, where they took Friends to OT before falling, 2-1. Graduation left wholes in all three lines and in the cage but a strong foundation remains. The offense features two skilled scorers, sisters Leigh Ann and Ali Ambrose, supported by Holly Miskin in the midfield. In the back Michelle Clark and Kari White will keep the ball out of the circle.

Kathryn Riley looks to be the new keeper.

Delmar (14-5) reached the state final for the first time on the backs of the five seniors. In 2002, they were the offense and the midfield. Six starters return so there is cause for optimism. The defense is in good hands with GK Kristin Wheatley and three very strong defenders – Ashley Campbell, Christine Maloney and Stephanie Heineken. Although it’s likely the trio will be dismantled to reconstitute the new attacking and midfield lines. The Wildcats must find some scorers if they are to challenge for the top spot.

Laurel’s (6-7) season will depend on the goal scoring of a trio of three-year starters, juniors Candace Gaull (10), Kati Ward (4) and Tegan Taylor (2). GK Nikki Johnson also returns.

The Bulldogs should be running in the middle of the HS pack.

Smyrna (9-6-1) will struggle to keep their three-year tournament streak alive. Leading scorers Jami Gobao (7g) and Jeni Powell (4) are back but the midfield and defense have been hit hard by graduation. Junior Brook Dixon (1) will be the midfield catalyst. GK Pam Pleasanton saw spot duty last year in the cage.

Milford (3-11-1) didn’t find their conference switch from north to south agreeable as the Bucs won nine fewer games in 2002 and plummeted from the fourth seed in the state to sixth place in the conference. On offense, seniors Holly VanAuken (5g) and Janelle Wilkins (4) will show the way while Stacey Billings and GK Lacey Moffett will lead the defense. 2003 may not be any easier for the Bucs.

Woodbridge’s 2002 season (0-14) started with promise, a 1-0 OT loss to Cape Henlopen. Who would have guessed that defeat would be the season’s high watermark? Midfielder Dusti Vanderwende has moved on to Rullo Stadium. Junior Kaylan Hunsberger remains to lead the attack. GK Nicki Youse survived 2002’s onslaught; now it’s Ashley Thompson’s turn on the griddle. The Blue Raiders face another uphill season in the HC. They’ll make their Turf Bowl debut this fall. Some additional road trips to Northern Delaware would help balance the won-loss ledger.

Archmere (15-3-1), after years of wandering in the field hockey wilderness, prospered under the experienced hands of Pat Appleton and Sue Finnie. In 2002 the Auks featured the state’s highest scoring offense and the entire forward line returns for an encore – seniors Jessica Zutz (16g) and Kate Dougherty (11) and junior Karla Senior (9). Seniors Samantha Bentley, Sarah Teixeira and Paige Tibbetts will anchor the midfield and defense. In goal senior Lauren Tosi will inherit the pads from her cousin Jamie. There are questions to be answered in the midfield and on defense but Archmere looks strong.

Archmere surprised the state with their Rullo run in 2002; a Rullo return in 2003 is almost expected.

In 2002, St Mark’s (11-3-2) coach Bill Eichinger had to replace 8 starters from his 2001 state finalists. The Spartans enjoyed a great season that was overshadowed by their early exit from the tournament. This year he faces an even bigger challenge and must replace 10. One new name will sound familiar, Katelyn Falgowski, the third of the "Flying Falgowskis" and a fixture on assorted US national teams and the likely Spartan center mid. She is as advertised! Two offensive keys will be Jenna Logan, a powerful, low-post scorer on the left wing, and Nicole Bosso, a speedster on the right side. Senior centerback Kortni Pedlow, the only returning starter, will marshal the defense in front of sophomore GK Cindy Wray.

On paper, the Auks should end the Spartans’ four-year reign. On the field I’m not so sure. Their two games will be played on the turf at Rullo and at St Mark’s. Advantage St Mark’s and a big one! Don’t crown Archmere just yet in the CC.

Ursuline (7-7-2) started fast with an unbeaten September and was on the brink of a return to the tournament before fading in the season’s final week. UA’s returning strength will be in the defensive end. Keeper Karyn Keenan is back as are defenders Jillian Carinci and Jen Norris.  Ursuline will have to scramble for goals and the Raiders doing the scrambling will be seniors Kelly Fromuth and Tara Rodack and junior Jane Hayden.

St Elizabeth (8-6-1) graduated the state’s best senior, Ashley Smeltzer, and she will be irreplaceable. Four seniors will lead the Vikings: Shannon Sowden (5) and Jessica Speary (5) on offense, Andrea White in the midfield and first team all CC Ashley Pupillo in the cage. Ms Pupillo is outstanding and continues the tradition at St E of good goalkeeping, following in the footsteps of Kelly Hoisington and Alison Boyer.

St Elizabeth won six of six against Blue Hen conference opponents in 2002. The Vikings are Delaware’s Road Warriors, who don’t have a home field and must play all their games on the road.

Padua (3-10-1) broke Ursuline hearts in overtime when they won their first CC game since 2000. The Panda attack features three seniors: Lisa Quinn, Lindsey Hanson and Nicole Minniti. Panda keeper Maggie Simone, the second team all CC selection, single handedly keeps Padua in games and always sees plenty of action.

Padua has a distinct home field advantage at Forbes Field. Will that advantage be enhanced or diminished by hosting the 2003 summer league? Will teams lose their fear of the rugged terrain or will two months exposure to those wild bounces only increase visitors’ trepidation?

Archmere and St Mark’s is a pick ‘em. Ursuline, St E and Padua should wage an interesting battle for third.

2003 Field Hockey Preview Part 4

HENLOPEN NORTH

The Henlopen North should be a three-way race this season. Cape and CR will be good, Seaford just a little bit better.

Seaford (8-7-1) sprinted to a 7-2-1 start before staggering home, losing five of their final six. If the Blue Jays can erase the bitter memories of that collapse, they could be in for a special season. Seaford scored 32 goals last season; every one returns, led by midfielder Unek Brown’s ten. Other returning goal scorers include Samantha Fitzgerald (5), Lauren Kjos (5), Bitty Hood (4), Rachel Thomas (3), Heather Bleile (2), Monica Neal (2) and Lauren Saveikis (1). Defenders Becca Meredith, JJ Morgan and Claire Rekitzke also return. The only question mark is in the cage.

If Seaford hopes to end Cape’s three year run, the Jays will have to reduce their goals allowed from last season’s 23.

Caesar Rodney (10-6-2) had a nice blend of pace and power in 2002. The pace remains but the power, the big boppers in the midfield, has moved on. CR was incredibly young up front last season. Sophomores Casey Howard, Sonsecharae Everson and Jamie Denman, and freshmen Jaimie Brittingham and Sydney Leone did most of the damage in the scorebook. But behind the scenes, seniors did all the heavy lifting. On defense GK Nina Boyles returns along with defender Kate Windett.

If Coach Windett can fill the midfield vacuum, the Riders will be very good. In 2002, CR shut out St Mark’s twice at St Mark’s. To illustrate how remarkable that is recall that all Tower Hill has to show for their two most recent trips to SM are 1-1 and 2-2 draws.

Cape Henlopen (15-1-1) won 15 regular season games for the third straight year, no other Delaware team can make that claim. The Vikings will be young in 2003, with GK Nicole Rhoades, Erin Cahill and Domenique Scott the only seniors. Cape’s defense was as tight as ever last fall, yielding only six goals, best in the state. The defense made Ms Rhoades’ life easy, she only faced more than five shots five times and only made as many a five saves once. Junior Jackie Warren returns as the leading defender. A bevy of her classmates return on attack, including Lisa Williams (8g), Amanda Haxton (6), Danielle Renken (2) and Samantha Coveleski (2). Also meriting close scrutiny in the circle will be newcomer Laura Olenderski. The Cape midfield, like many others this season, was hit hard by graduation.

Cape will have a good 2003. How good may depend on developing a successful midfield combination.

Dover (7-7-1) won five more games in 2002 than in 2001; only Archmere (9) and Wilmington Friends (7) improved more. Back to continue the improvement will be leading scorer Jess Vaughn (7g) and junior Eva Keller (3). Senior Laura Hitchens and GK Renee Lindsay will key the defense.

Sussex Central (10-7-1) stumbled badly out of the gate in 2002 and never challenged in Henlopen North but they recovered in time to qualify for the tournament, where they made history as the first #16 seed to oust a #1. Seniors will be in short supply for Sussex this season but four will have important roles to play: GK Katy Day, backs Sara Lawrence and Candace Esham and forward Kelsey Marvel. Juniors Candice Shockley and Chelsea Sizemore will have to replace the firepower lost through graduation.

Sussex Tech (2-11) won only two games last season while suffering four tough one-goal losses to tournament teams. The defense was generally very reliable while the attack struggled to find the cage. Seniors Shari Benson and Amber Vanderwende will be the offensive and defensive leaders.

Polytech (1-11-1) graduated twelve from last year’s team. The Panthers may have only won a single game but four members of the class of 2003 are playing college field hockey. Polytech will be solid in the cage with two returning keepers, juniors Melissa Timberman and Carissa Fiore. Much of the rest of the team will need to be rebuilt with particular attention to the offense, which simply couldn’t score in 2002.

 

Brandywine and William Penn will duel once again as the Bulldogs seek their third consecutive BHA crown. Unfortunately, the drama will be short lived, as the winner-take-all showdown is scheduled for the third week of the season, much too early for my liking.

Brandywine (12-3-1) returns a strong core of defenders, in the Bulldog mold – big, strong and able to hit the ball the length of the field. Jill Records, Kathleen Gove and Maggie Norris will supply the hit in "hit n run." For the run, look for Kristen Burtch, Amy Wisniewski and Lindsey Frye along with secret weapons, Allie Shoch and Amy Williams. All five are dangerous in both the midfield and attack. The only real question is who replaces all-state keeper Becky Layman who was a one-year wonder last season in the cage.

Only William Penn (12-4-1) and their three National Futures Tournament players (Dean, Dean and Marihugh) can challenge Brandywine’s BHA reign. Penn graduated a lot of speed up front, experience in the back and a very under-appreciated GK. The returnees have an offensive orientation. US U16 member Tricia Dean (4g) and Shannon Bradley (4) return on the wings, with Erin Marihugh (2) and Nicole Tiberi (3) back in the midfield. Laura Dean (7) is the key, she spent much of 2002 watching the action from the "wayback" position; she can make things happen and needs to be much more involved in the fray. Michelle Sutcliffe will replace Jacqui Healy in the cage.

The battle for Blue Hen bragging rights will be settled September 23^rd. But for both teams the real season won’t begin until November 5^th.

Middletown (4-10-1) returns nine starters but that won’t be enough to push Brandywine or William Penn. Team captain Melissa Aronson, 2002’s freshman wiz Libby Grange and Ashley Barnes can score. The midfield will feature Ashley Evans and Jackie Berg. The defense returns intact, GK Meaghan Hanley and her escorts, Amy Boyett, Devon Jones and Abby Poholsky.

McKean (5-9-1) drew the eye of the News Journal with their fast start in 2002. The high scorers and keeper are gone but a nice mix of attacking, midfield and defending players return in seniors  Natalie Simon, Kasey Blumenfeld, Ashley Beers, Jenna Luker, and Brittany Shubra.

Newark (5-10-1) was badly hurt by graduation. Key returnees will be attackers Tessa Bates, Kris Keck and Jessica LaPointe, midfielder Katie Reinhardt and GK Sarah Sharman. 2003’s Delaware Soccer POY, Kendall Lytwynec should contribute in the offensive end.

In 2002 Glasgow (3-10) beat Christiana twice and Dickinson. Hopes for 2003 will rest with Mlles. Masso, Onisk and Poore.

Christiana (0-16) endured the longest of seasons. In the game I saw the team played hard, with spirit and never quit. Maybe their efforts will be rewarded in 2003.