Blue Hen B 2005 Preview

Blue Hen B will feature an exciting three-way race this year and could be home to three top ten teams.

Lindsay Frye and her 12 goals are gone but Brandywine brings back a boatload! Ali Schoch (11 G, 3 A) and Amy Williams (13, 5) are double-digit scorers and Alana Coppol (5, 1) could be. Kelsey Strowhover, Dani Meier (4, 4) and Lauren Miller return in the midfield. Softballers Katie Goodman and Nina Julian are the big boppers in the back. Sarah Cates saw most of the cage action last season; this year she should see it all. The Bulldogs are tournament bound and join Mount and Concord as Blue Hen B favorites.

Concord shared the state scoring mark with Caesar Rodney in 2004, scoring 82 goals. Sixty-two of those goals return, on paper. On paper, because Kimmy Schlezes who scored 28 of the 62, while adding 25 assists, is likely to miss some, most or all of the 2005 season while recovering from knee surgery. Even without Ms Schlezes, Concord will be dangerous on offense. Kim Tunell (11, 6) and Kelly Fox (9, 8) are skilled attackers, although Ms Fox’s goal production slumped somewhat in 2004. Natalie Bowden and Ellen Meara are solid in the midfield. The defense, Jill Haac and Laura Simone, with GK Christine Paski is experienced. Concord will be good, if Ms Schlezes returns by November and Ms Fox finds her 2003 form the Raiders will be very good!

Dickinson finished 2004 on a roll, winning their last three games, all by shutout, so the team should begin the 2005 with a sense of optimism. Junior Melissa McGrath is a key returning Ram on offense. Amy Johnson should inherit Erin Amende’s pads.

McKean will rely on five returning seniors, Carlee Papp (2, 2), Marissa Coppol (2G), Michelle Trincia (1, 1), Laura Yanacek and Michelle Tillotson in hope of improving on 2004’s three wins.

Mount Pleasant won 11 games in 2004 and returned to the tournament after some lean years. So lean, in fact, that there’s not a single former Mountie playing the college game! Nine starters return but Kim Todorow (14, 7) and Big Laura Voltz (10, 6) will be missed. Up front, you’ll see Randi Goodman (20G, 13A) for sure, possibly joined by Brittanie Booker (4, 2). Last year’s midfield and defense return in toto: Heather Stevens (4, 4), Nicole Mukoda, Deb Wylie, Diana Mask, Gretchen Melvin, Judy Harbuzinski and Sylvia Dee. GK Feli Chillo is back in the back. In her best outing last year, she blanked William Penn, recording 11 saves, while facing 31 shots and 18 corners. Mount’s new coach has inherited a windfall. Another double-digit win season and the tournament are certainties and Mount will vie for Blue Hen B honors with Brandywine and Concord. An opening day win against Archmere should see the Mounties stay perfect until mid October when they face a very challenging four-game stretch – Brandywine, on the turf, at Concord, William Penn, and then Wilmington Christian.