Golden sticks: Presenting 2019 All-Main Line field hockey teams

The Main Line high school field hockey scene featured many strong teams this fall, and leading the way was Episcopal Academy (20-1-1), which sent long-time coach Gina Buggy out on a champion’s note by winning the PAISAA title, its fourth in the past six years. The Churchwomen also won the Inter-Ac title for the 13th time.
Merion Mercy Academy (19-4) captured the PIAA District 1 2A title. Villa Maria Academy finished third in the PIAA District 1 2A tournament and advanced to the PIAA 2A state semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Wyoming Valley West.
Other strong local squads included Academy of Notre Dame (16-6-1 overall, 7-2-1 Inter-Ac, ranked 12th in Pennsylvania by maxfieldhockey.com), Radnor (16-3 overall, 10-1 Central League), Conestoga (15-5, 8-3 Central League) and Haverford High (8-3 Central League).
The All-Main Line high school field hockey teams are selected by the coaches. Because Main Line Media News covers 19 high schools, the Main Line Media News sports staff limits the number of sports available to first team, second team and honorable mention – but follows the priority of the coaches’ selections.
What follows are the 2019 All-Main Line high school field hockey teams:

FIRST TEAM
Mia Leonhardt, Academy of Notre Dame – Senior midfielder/forward, a first team All-Inter-Ac and All-Delco selection, tallied 18 goals and dished out 21 assists, finishing her career with 227 points, fourth in program history. Committed to University of North Carolina.
Vivi Trumpbour, Academy of Notre Dame – Senior forward, noted as a skilled finisher, led the Irish with 27 goals scored. A first team All-Inter-Ac and All-Delco pick, she will play field hockey for Georgetown University next fall.
Paige Kieft, Academy of Notre Dame – Junior goalie posted an .800 save percentage and five shutouts, impressive as the Irish’s tough out-of-conference schedule included several state champions. A first team All-Inter-Ac and All-Delco selection, Kieft has committed to University of Maryland.
Carly Bateman, Archbishop Carroll – Senior midfielder, the Catholic League’s Most Valuable Player, was an all-around performer who was productive on offense (11 assists) and a powerhouse all over the field. Will play field hockey for Catholic University next fall.
Carly Hynd, Conestoga – Junior midfielder, the Pioneers’ Most Valuable Player, was a powerful offensive force, leading Central League in points (19 goals, 15 assists). University of Maryland commit was first team All-Central and All-Chester County selection.
Kate Galica, Conestoga – Freshman forward was a prolific goal-scorer, tallying 20 goals this fall. Was Pioneers’ Offensive MVP and a second team All-Central League selection.
Kelly Smith, Episcopal Academy – Junior defensive center mid, the Inter-Ac’s Most Valuable Player and the All-Delco Player of the Year, was noted for her outstanding coverage of the field, intelligent defensive play and overall skills (11 goals, 10 assists). Committed to University of North Carolina.
Ashley Sessa, Episcopal Academy – Sophomore attack center mid was a scoring phenom, tallying 30 goals and dishing out 13 assists. A versatile performer who took over when Kelly Smith went down in the first 10 minutes of the PAISAA title game. A first team All-Inter-Ac and All-Delco selection, she is committed to University of North Carolina.
Macy Szukics, Episcopal Academy – Sophomore midfielder, a first team All-Inter-Ac and All-Delco pick, was an all-around performer who provided offense (16 goals, nine assists), played all over the field and was the key member of the offensive penalty-corner unit. Has committed to play field hockey at Duke University.
Leah Drake, Haverford High – Junior defender, a first team All-Central League selection, was the Fords’ Defensive Most Valuable Player, helping to anchor a defense that allowed Haverford to be a solid contender in the Central League.
Shannon Qualie, Haverford High – Senior midfielder/defender and captain was a first team All-Central League selection and a Philafieldhockey All-Star Senior. A strong all-around performer, the Old Dominion commit was the Fords’ Most Valuable Player.
Alex Lavelle, Merion Mercy Academy – Senior center midfielder, a first team all-state selection and fine all-around performer (12 goals, five assists, five defensive stops) is called by MMA head coach Gretta Ehret, “As as tough a player as they come. She is aggressive in the midfield and caused turnovers as well as helped support our transition attack.” Will play next fall for the University of Richmond.
Victoria Arra, Merion Mercy Academy – Junior center midfielder, a first team all-state pick, is noted as deceptive in attack and a hustler on defense. Committed to play at Boston College, she was a productive offensive force for the Golden Bears (five goals, six assists).
Tori Natale, Merion Mercy Academy – Senior right midfielder, an AACA all-star and second team all-state selection, is noted as a fast and powerful player who can break down other teams defenses with her stick skills. A productive offensive player (five goals, seven assists), she will play next fall for Saint Joseph’s University.
Olivia DeCain, Radnor – Senior defender, a first team All-Central League selection, was considered one of the best defenders in Delaware County and the region. A second team All-Region (Pennsylvania) selection, and a Philafieldhockey All-Star Senior, she received the Raiders’ Jen Shillingford Award as the team’s Outstanding Player.
Brigid Lowry, Radnor – Senior midfielder was a key contributor in controlling the tempo on offense and defense, and was a potent offensive force as well (nine goals, five assists). A first team All-Central League and All-Delco pick, she will play field hockey for University of Louisville next fall.
Barb Civitella, Radnor – Senior midfielder, a first team All-Central League selection, tallied 10 goals for the powerful Raiders, and was considered a force all over the field noted for her speed and ball-handling skills. A first team All-Delco pick, she received the Jen Shillingford Award as the Raiders’ Outstanding Player.
Kate Perretta, Villa Maria Academy – Senior defender and captain, a first team all-state selection, was considered the unquestioned anchor of a defense that sparked the Hurricanes to a third-place finish in the District 1 2A tourney and an appearance in the PIAA 2A state semifinals.
Maia Dechario, Villa Maria Academy – Sophomore midfielder, a first team all-state selection, enjoyed a breakout season for the PIAA 2A state semifinalists, dishing out 12 assists, scoring six goals, and being an all-around productive force for the Hurricanes.
Gia Whalen, Villa Maria Academy – Promising freshman midfielder, a second team all-state and first team all-league selection, was a powerful all-around force for the Hurricanes this fall, scoring nine goals, dishing out six assists, and being a key cog in the Hurricanes’ strong post-season drive.

SECOND TEAM
Academy of Notre Dame – Emily Graeff, senior midfielder/defender; Meghan Mitchell, senior midfielder/forward; Brianna Odgers, senior defender.
Agnes Irwin – Kelly Cooper, junior defender.
Archbishop Carroll – Carleigh Conners, junior midfielder; Julia Kingsbury, junior midfielder/forward; Nicole Pawelec, junior defender/forward.
Conestoga – Amanda Foster, junior defensive center mid; Sofia Ries, junior defender; Annie Hirshman, senior forward; Chloe Ziegler, senior forward.
Episcopal Academy – Kathleen Anderson, senior attack; Mia Garber, sophomore midfielder/attack; Louisa Baxter, senior back; Gianna Cilluffo, sophomore goalie.
Harriton – Ashton Odiorne, junior defender/midfielder.
Haverford High – Katie Redding, senior forward; Emilia Conners, junior midfielder/defender.
Merion Mercy Academy – Emily Hauck, senior center forward; Kristen Rake, junior goalie; Grace Lopresti, senior right forward.
Radnor – Genevieve Mehra, senior midfielder; Madison Milhous, junior defender; Hope Delaney, sophomore defender.
Shipley – Carolina Riley, senior center midfielder; Gianna McDougall, senior center back.
Villa Maria Academy – Caroline O’Brien, sophomore midfielder; Lindsey Roberts, sophomore forward; Vicki Kimmel, junior goalie.

HONORABLE MENTION
Agnes Irwin – Lauren DeRose, freshman defender; Hadley Evans, senior forward/midfielder.
Archbishop Carroll – Karlie Dougherty, junior forward; Emma Sutter, senior defender.
Conestoga – Katie Clemson, senior goalie; Lauren Demilio, senior defender.
Friends’ Central – Leah Anderson, junior goalie; Lindsey Schweitzer, senior midfielder.
Haverford High – Maura Qualie, sophomore forward; Mia Ciancio, senior midfielder; M<ary Kate Ardizi, junior forward; Eilie Kent, senior midfielder.
Merion Mercy Academy – Kelly O’Connor, sophomore center back.
Sacred Heart Academy – Mary Lauren Franz, junior midfielder; Lily Flanagan, junior defender.
Villa Maria Academy – Colby Dobra, junior defender; Meg Dillon, senior forward; Maura O’Hare, senior forward.
– Note: Lower Merion did not submit an All-Main Line field hockey nomination ballot.