Field Hockey Tournament Upper Bracket

1) Tower Hill (14-0-2), the tournament’s top seed for the fifth time in seven years, is the season’s big surprise. Everyone knew the Hillers would be good but not this good. The defense, led by seniors Lizzie Lewis and Chandler Clay, has allowed only three goals, while playing the state’s most difficult schedule. Senior Stephanie Rutkowski has excelled in the cage and sophomore Anna Teruya is a future defensive keystone. Caitlin Van Sickle anchors the midfield, flanked by Grier Tumas and Mahi Trivellas. The balanced attack includes Lauren Ianni (10G), senior surprise Caroline Campbell (8G) and freshman Mary Hobbs (8G). When the season started, the Hillers were tournament long shots, now they’re co-favorites. Come tournament time Tower has proven most vulnerable in the second round. Are Penn or Concord up to it? At Rullo, the Hillers are still perfect.

16) Indian River (10-5-1) was a late addition to the field after Charter was scratched. Once again, NA leads the Indians in scoring with 18 goals. Other players to watch include Ali Ambrose, Shawnee Seitz and the Warringtons, Kayla and Jordan. Softballer Kathryn Riley is the cage keeper. In 2002, as a fifteen seed, IR came north, grabbed an early lead and took Friends to overtime.

8) Concord (13-3) dropped to an eight seed from last year’s three. Seniors Kelly Fox (17G, 7A) and Kimmy Schlezes (15G, 12A) are the state’s highest scoring tandem. They get help from junior Kim Tunell (12G, 6A). Ellen Meara (2G, 11A) and Natalie Bowden are good in the midfield. The Raiders are very experienced on defense with four seniors – Jill Haac, Lauren Simone, Patty Webster and Carly Dean in goal. With nine senior starters, this is the Raiders’ year to make some noise but the eight hole is a bad place to start the journey to Rullo.

9) William Penn (13-3) features the state’s high scorer, Tricia Dean (28G, 8A). Juniors Blythe Mackie (11G, 5A) and Brittany Harrison (5G, 7A) can also find the cage. The midfield includes Alli Williams (4G, 8A) and Amber Tank (1G, 4A) with junior Donna Doubet and sophomores Deanna Rishell and Nicole Hanby in the back. Junior Kortney McLaughlin wears the foam. The Colonials hope to reverse a 2-1 regular season loss to the Concord.

4) Sanford (13-2-1) looks to return to Rullo. Alexis Esbitt (11G, 7A) and Cassandra Deitrick (8G, 5A) are magnificent in the midfield. Paris Waterman leads the Independent Conference with 13 goals. Catalina Epalza (7G, 5A) and Hannah Kuranz (7G, 3A) are dangerous inners. On defense, senior Steph Moyer is a lion. I’m not sure Padua is prepared for this.

13) Padua (13-3) joins the post-season festivities for the first time. Freshman Sarah Walker (8G) and sophomore Caitlin Grimes (8G) are the leading goal scorers but feisty senior Emily Grugan (7G, 5A) is the most dangerous Panda. Katie Rudolph (3G, 9A) is very good at centermid. The Pandas enjoyed a storybook season but they will have their hands full with the Warriors.

5) Brandywine (14-2) has found the tournament to be the boulevard of broken dreams in recent years but this year’s edition is primed for tournament success after a fantastic final week: four days, four games, four wins, four shutouts! Seniors Ali Schoch (13G, 7A), Amy Williams (13G, 6A) and junior Alana Coppol (14G, 5A) are a dangerous attacking trio. Dani Meier is a force in the midfield as is Nina Julian from the sweeper spot. Sarah Cates is excellent in the cage. Archmere is an interesting first-round match up; the teams were perennial regular season opponents until last season.

12) Archmere (10-5-1) returns as the twelve seed, the same as last year. The Auks reduced their goals allowed this season to 10, down from 30 in 2004. Junior defenders Lauren Boothe, Ali Walls and Michelle Onofrio and senior keeper Olivia Branco are responsible. It’s at the other end that the Auks have had trouble. In their five losses and one tie, the Auks scored but one goal! Tori Gagliardi leads the Auks in goals with seven; Annie Wilcox and Sarah Pedrick both have five.

Field Hockey Tournament Lower Bracket

2) The defending champions, Caesar Rodney (15-0-1), are no surprise at all. This very senior side is primed for a Rullo repeat. The Riders’ scoring is down from last season but the defense has been even tighter. The attack is very pacy with Jori Victory, Madison Leone and Jaimie Brittingham. Kelsie Ward, Kate Windett and Sydney Leone comprise the state’s finest midfield. In the back Samantha Marano, Leah Lantzy and Gillian Masten guard GK Lauren Redding in the cage. CR conducted a master class at Turf Bowl VII and an epic turf war with Tower seems inevitable.

15) Seaford (9-6-1) spent most of the season mired in offensive doldrums. Their 30 goals scored are the fewest in the tournament field but the offense seemed to come alive in the season’s final two weeks. Seniors Bitty Hood (8G) and Rachel Thomas (6G) along with sophomore Kelsey Riggleman (7G) do most of the scoring. Claire Rekitzke is a three-year starter in goal. With nine senior starters, the time is now for Seaford. CR overwhelmed Seaford at TB7; the Jays hope Wednesday’s natural surface is an equalizer.

7) St Mark’s (13-2-1) brings the state’s longest winning streak (13) to the tournament. Junior Liz DeMatteis (14G) handles the scoring while Katelyn Falgowski (8G, 8A), recently returned from duty with the US National team in Argentina, handles everything else. St Mark’s edged Sussex Tech on the road in last year’s opening round, 2-1 in overtime.

10) Sussex Tech (11-4) had so much fun last year in their first tournament that they’re back for more. The Ravens count on production from seniors Caitlyn McCarthy, Beth Pavlik, Lauren Correll and junior Tiamia Black.

3) Delmar (14-1-1), the scourge of Maryland Eastern Shore hockey with victories over Pocomoke, Parkside and Holly Grove, is planning on a longer tournament stay this year than last year’s brief cameo appearance as a sixteen seed. The Wildcats depend on youthful attackers Katie McMahon (16G, 4A), Alison Bloodsworth (10G, 7A), Hali Ramey (9G, 1A) and Mallory Elliott (5G, 9A).

14) Middletown’s (12-4) Cavaliers are also tournament newcomers. The Cavs have a monster in the midfield in Brooke Tadlock (22G, 14A). Erica Crile (13G, 4A), Amanda Jett (7G, 5A) and Daphne Blakey (5G) can also score while Libby Grange is outstanding at centerback. Mtown upset Brandywine in the regular season and hopes to do the same at Delmar.

6) Cape Henlopen (14-1-1) was to host a first round game for the sixth straight year but pitch problems, real or imagined, have necessitated a venue change to Dover. The Vikings field many new faces this season as they shoot for their fifth Final Four appearance since 2000. There are some old familiar standbys, Mallory Talbot (12G), Amanda Deloy (9G, 9A) and Laura Olenderski (6G, 5A) and the goalkeeping duo of Ellery Matthews and Stephanie White. If form holds, the second round should see a continuation of last week’s 1-1 OT tie with Delmar.

11) Mount Pleasant (12-4) is strong down the middle with Randi Goodman (20G, 4A) at the top, Heather Stevens (5G, 10A) at centermid , Gretchen Melvin at sweep and Feli Chicco in goal. On the right wing, Brittanie Booker has scored four goals, to go with her state-high 16 assists.