Main Line field hockey squads looking to defend titles this fall

A number of Main Line high school field hockey teams are coming off memorable championship seasons. Last fall, Villa Maria Academy captured the PIAA state championship, and Conestoga went undefeated in the Central League. Episcopal Academy was unbeaten in the Inter-Ac, and was followed closely by Agnes Irwin and Academy of Notre Dame.
Here’s a look at how the Main Line high school field hockey teams shape up for 2015:

Academy of Notre Dame

Head coach: Adele Williams, 13th year.

Last year’s record: 12-8-1 overall, 8-4 InterAc.

Key returnees: junior forward Quinn Maguire, junior forward/midfielder Mary Kate Neff, junior defender Colleen Kearney, junior midfielder Cami Osborne, senior forward/midfielder Emily Lambert.

Others to watch: senior midfielder/defender Caroline Allen, junior defender Ryan Loftus, sophomore forward Ava Leonhardt, sophomore forward Tina D’Anjollel, sophomore midfielder Sarah Jane Quigley.

Lost to graduation:     defender Danielle Bunten (playing for St. Joseph’s University), midfielder Sophie Graeff (playing for Cornell), midfielder/forward Taylor Leonhardt (playing for St. Joseph’s University), defender Kirsten Mansfield (playing for Northwestern), goalie Gabby Carlini, defender Maggie Curry, midfielder/forward Amanda Odgers.

Outlook: Williams, who lists the Irish’s primary strengths as speed and athleticism, said, “With the loss of seven starters to graduation, we will have a relatively young team supporting our returning players. It will be exciting to see how the incoming players adjust to their new roles.”

Agnes Irwin

Head coach: Alison Brant, fourth year.

Last year’s record: 19-4 overall, 10-2 InterAc.

Key returnees: senior midfielder Kendall Henderson; senior goalie Rosie Kalis; senior defender Morgan Smith; junior midfielder Julianna Tornetta; junior midfielder Jax van der Veen.

Others to watch: sophomore midfielder Ellie Kirkpatrick; sophomore defender Meredith Murphy; sophomore midfielder/defender Grace Weise.

Lost to graduation: forward Heather Crosby, forward Lucy Maguire, forward Sophia Tornetta (playing for Princeton.)

Outlook: Brant said, “This season brings with it opportunities for several players to grow into new positions and new roles – this will be crucial to experiencing success. We have a very strong returning midfield and defensive line, who are eager to take the lead as we continually develop our attack. The senior class has thoughtfully selected our theme for the season: ‘Go the Distance.’ I think this is telling in many ways, particularly of the work rate we can anticipate from the upperclassmen who have set a decisive tone for the fall. The hungry sophomores and juniors, who have already made a significant impact on the program, will also be key to a successful season. I am excited to see leaders emerge from this group of talented athletes and see us develop into a unique, strong, and most importantly, unified team.”

Archbishop Carroll

Head coaches: Kelly Dougherty and Jackie DePetris, third year.

Last year’s record: 13-5 overall, 8-1 Catholic League.

Key returnees: senior forward Gracie McClatchy, junior forward Sam Swart, senior back Mary Catherine Jones, junior mid Maddie Sutter.

Others to watch: senior forward Gabby Sutter, senior mid Jordyn Crossan, sophomore mid Hannah Bateman.

Lost to graduation: midfielder Keara McNulty, forward Meredith Campbell (now playing soccer for Scranton University), forward Alyssa Lemons, goalie Kerri Mountz.

Outlook: Dougherty said, “Coming off a Catholic League championship, we are looking forward to having great leadership from our junior and senior class, with high hopes of making a better run in States. With many key returners, we are looking forward to having a strong offensive season, with lots of speed coming from all positions on the field. We have some key goal scorers returning in Sam Swart and Gracie McClatchy, and have Mary Catherine Jones stonewalling the backfield.”

Baldwin School

Head coach: Stephanie Campanaro, second year.

Last year’s record: 2-17 overall, 0-12 InterAc.

Key returnees: senior goalie Maddy Carre, senior midfielder/forward Sara Seyedroudbari, junior defender Courtney Loomis.

Others to watch: junior midfielder/forward Eliza Thaler.

Lost to graduation: forward Eliza Mantelmacher, defender Alexa Horwitz.

Outlook: Campanaro said, “Our strong point as a team would be our success with communication and teamwork. We have a determination as a team to build up our program and find more success in games during the season.”

Conestoga

Head coach: Megan Smyth, fourth year.

Last year’s record: 18-5-1 overall, 11-0 Central League (champions).

Key returnees: senior midfielder Casey Allen, senior defender Kate Billings, junior defender Sophie Grove, junior defender Stephanie Hamilton, junior forward Meredith Ross, sophomore midfielder Kiley Allen, sophomore forward Emma McGillis.

Others to watch: senior forward Kelly Baker, senior defender Caroline Coladonato, senior forward Natalie Hirst, freshman forward Charlotte De Vries.

Lost to graduation: defender Lane Adams (playing for Catholic University), midfielder Nicole Bodo (playing for Colgate), goalie Chloe Johnson (playing for Temple), forward Adah Lindquist, forward Tracey Meyers, forward/midfielder Maura O’Brien, defender Jessica Reindel, defender Isabelle Weber.

Outlook: Smyth said, “We have potential to do very well this season. We have seven seniors who have a lot of experience under their belts and are fantastic leaders. With that being said, we have several key roles to fill due to graduating seniors, and we will look to our eager underclassmen to step up and fill these roles.”

Episcopal Academy

Head coach: Gina Buggy, 29th year.

Last year’s record: 26-1 overall, 12-0 InterAc (champions).

Key returnees: senior forward/midfielder Margaux Paolino, senior defender Maddie Bacskai, junior forward Corinne Zanolli.

Others to watch: senior back Corinne Kneizys, senior forward Courtnie Williamson, senior midfielder Angela Rocca, senior forward Colby Gallagher, junior forward Lexi Fischer.

Lost to graduation: Ali Rushton (UNC), Christy Palazzese (Duke) Lily Crager and Jane Crager (both playing lacrosse for University of Michigan), Rachel Farmer, Sydney Gibson, Mackenzie Hahn, Reilly Dugery.

Outlook: Buggy said, “We return some talented players who should be able to generate some offense. The midfield and defense will need to come together quickly with the loss of some key players from last year. Strong team leadership will be critical in bringing together the experienced players with the new starters. We are eager to get started, we are excited to play a challenging schedule and we hope to compete for the Inter Ac title.”

Harriton

Head coach: Cassandra Prentiss, ninth year.

Last year’s record: 9-7 overall, 7-4 Central League.

Key returnees: senior high center mid Robyn Clark, senior goalie Laura Lasprogata, senior center defender Haley Morris, junior left mid Sophie Grady.

Others to watch: senior right forward Carly Adams, senior left defender Meredith Morris, junior left forward Emma Arronson, sophomore low center mid Sarah Marks, sophomore right defender Molly McDonough, sophomore right mid Meg Willcox.

Lost to graduation: Taylor Streko (high center mid, now playing for Ithaca), Sydney Handel (right mid), Lily Furcht (left defender).

Outlook: Prentiss said, “The majority of our starting lineup is back this season, as we lost only three starters to graduation. We have a solid midfield line, which I anticipate will generate many scoring opportunities for our forwards. Our defensive line consists of three experienced, senior players, including our goalie, who trust each other and communicate well with one another. To have a successful season, our team needs to play smart, not hard.”

Lower Merion

Head coach: Dana White, first year.

Merion Mercy Academy

Head coach: Morgan Hudson, first year.

Last year’s record: 17-5 overall, 8-3 AACA (third place).

Key returnees: junior midfielder/forward Jamie Natale (all-state), junior midfielder Kelsey Farkas, senior goalie Lauren Thomas, senior defender Caroline Heath, junior midfielder Kolbe Keating..

Others to watch: junior midfielder Maggie Wilson, junior midfielder Caroline Stellar, freshman midfielder/forward Margo Carlin.

Lost to graduation: midfielder Kelly Goggin (playing for Fairfield), forward/midfielder Lauren Dice (playing for Lehigh), forward Emily Siegfried (playing for Gettyburg), defender Michaela Scanlon (playing for University of Delaware), defender Nellie Doyle (playing for Temple), defender Meghan Sack (playing for St. Joseph’s), Emily Hall, Katie Quigley, Katherine West.

Outlook: After losing a large 2014 senior class, expect new faces to step into starting roles for the Golden Bears this season. Hudson said, “We will be using teamwork and just taking it one day at a time. Our goal is to be a competitive and hardworking opponent.”

Radnor

Head coach: Ashlee Bailey, second year.

Last year’s record: 9-9 overall, 8-3 Central League.

Key returnees: senior forward Katie Quinn, senior midfielder Katie Wakiyama, senior midfielder Lauren Hemcher, junior defender Natalie Junior, senior goalie Morgan Stanley.

Others to watch: senior forward Emmy Sharrett, junior midfielder Emma Majercak, senior midfielder Morgan Gryga.

Lost to graduation: forward Lydia Sydnor (playing for University of Michigan), forward Lexi Kenneally, defender Caitlyn Connor, midfielder Katie Jordan.

Outlook: Bailey said, “This year we truly have a positive attitude and are ready to get to work. Our forward line will be strong and the midfield and defense will be there to back them up. Our biggest key to success will be playing together as a team and allowing everyone to contribute. We are excited to see where this season takes us.”

Sacred Heart

Head coach: Patty McNevin, first year.

Last year’s record: 6-11-2 overall, 4-9 AACA.

Key returnees: senior midfielder Brigid Gliwa, junior defender Mary Rose O’Donnell, junior defender Kelli McIntyre, junior defender Liz Reid, junior forward Emily Franz, junior forward Nikki Bass, junior forward Elizabeth Mc Laughlin, sophomore forward Hannah Seifreid.

Others to watch: junior midfielder Lauren Palumbo, sophomore midfielder Emma Seifried, sophomore goalie Colleen Vissar.

Lost to graduation: Hannah Kerns, Maire McLaughlin, Grace Parker, Alex Dwyer.

Outlook: McNevin said, “Our success [this season] will be based on hard work and dedication.”

Shipley

Head coach: Maggie Gilligan, second year.

Last year’s record: 10-5 overall, 6-2 Friends Schools League.

Key returnees: senior midfielder Sage Edelstein, sophomore midfielder Ashleigh Gundy, senior midfielder Whitney Harris, senior forward Talia Rosoff, senior forward Allison Schoenberg, junior forward Olivia Sobel, senior defender Avery Yecies.

Others to watch: freshman goalie Liza Kolev, junior forward Caroline Getlin, sophomore defender Jasmine Powell.

Lost to graduation: Demi Karalis (All-Friends Schools League first team), Madison Tucker (All-FSL first team), Anna Scutt (All-FSL honorable mention).

Outlook: Gilligan returns a promising lineup with chemistry and skill. Losing only four players to graduation, the Gators feature a freshman class that according to Gilligan has strong potential and talent.

Villa Maria Academy

Head coach: Daan Polders, second year.

Last year’s record: 22-1 overall record, 11-1 AACA (champions), District One champions, PIAA state champions.

Key returnees: senior forward Megan Vermeil, senior forward and captain Abby Siana, sophomore midfielder Lindsay Dickinson, senior defender Caroline Mullen, senior defender and captain Nicole Tsiaras.

Lost to graduation: The Hurricanes lost eight seniors who according to Polders all played a big role in last year’s state championship.

Outlook: Polders said, “We have to fill six new positions for this season. Villa will be a young team with talent, so it will be interesting to see what they are capable of doing in 2015. With hard work while having fun, we are looking forward to something good.”

– Preview information for the Friends’ Central and Haverford High field hockey teams has not been received.