Golden sticks: Presenting the 2020 All-Main Line field hockey teams

Although the COVID-19 pandemic put the 2020 Main Line high school field hockey season at risk of cancellation, the local squads were able to play a limited schedule, and leading the way among successful teams were Archbishop Carroll (12-2, PIAA Class 2A state runner-up), Villa Maria Academy (10-1, PIAA District 1 2A champion), Conestoga (12-0, Central League champions), Radnor (9-3), Haverford High (7-4), Lower Merion (5-4), Merion Mercy Academy (7-3), Episcopal Academy (6-0) and Academy of Notre Dame (3-1).
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 2020 All-Main Line high school field hockey teams:

FIRST TEAM

Paige Kieft, Academy of Notre Dame – Senior goalie and captain, a repeat All-Main Line first team selection, posted a .900 save percentage. Kieft has committed to University of Maryland.
Sam Shreiner, Academy of Notre Dame – Senior forward was a potent scorer and top performer for a strong Irish squad this fall, tallying five goals in four games.
Kelly Cooper, Agnes Irwin – Senior center back, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection in 2019, was a strong all-around performer for the Owls this fall. Has committed to Middlebury College.
Carleigh Conners, Archbishop Carroll – Senior midfielder, a first team All-Catholic League selection, was a potent all-around performer, scoring five goals and dishing out five assists for the PIAA 2A state runner-up. Will play for James Madison University.
Julia Kingsbury, Archbishop Carroll – Senior forward and captain, a first team All-Catholic League selection, scored 11 goals in 14 games, dishing out four assists. Noted for her phenomenal stick skills, she will play for Saint Joseph’s University.
Sienna Golden, Archbishop Carroll – Freshman forward, a first team All-Catholic League selection, scored seven goals and dished out five assists for the PIAA 2A state runner-ups. Noted for her speed , hustle, field sense and precise knowledge of where the ball is and should go at all times.
Carly Hynd, Conestoga – Senior midfielder, a repeat first team All-Main Line selection and Pioneers MVP, was a first team All-Central League pick and Conestoga’s second-leading scorer (21 goals and 11 assists in 12 games). Will play field hockey for University of Maryland.
Kate Galica, Conestoga – Sophomore forward, a repeat first team All-Main Line selection, was Pioneers’ leading scorer with 22 goals and 16 assists in 12 games. Was first team All-Central League pick and scored two goals and an assist in the league championship game. Was Pioneers’ Offensive MVP for second consecutive year.
Sofia Ries, Conestoga – Senior defender and captain was considered the Pioneers’ top defender in both 2019 and 2020. The Conestoga squad allowed only four goals all season and Ries, who received All-Central League honors, was considered a major reason.
Kelly Smith, Episcopal Academy – Senior midfielder and captain, a repeat All-Main Line first team selection, was the Inter-Ac’s Most Valuable Player in 2019. The University of North Carolina commit was the recipient of The Evie O’Brian ’14 Memorial Prize for Field Hockey for the 2020 season. Noted for her leadership and outstanding all-around play.
Sofia Acosta, Episcopal Academy – Senior defender and captain, a member of the PHSFHCA All-Academic List for 2020, received EA’s Team of 1994 Field Hockey Award, presented to that member of the team who by her outstanding play, leadership and dedication, has proven herself most valuable to the team. Headed for Penn State University.
Ashley Sessa, Episcopal Academy – Junior midfielder/forward, a repeat first team All-Main Line selection, scored 12 goals in six games for the undefeated Churchwomen. Verbally committed to the University of North Carolina, she received EA’s Corinne Ruth Patton Zanolli ’17 Varsity Field Hockey High Scorer Award this fall.
Ashton Odiorne, Harriton – Senior midfielder/defender and captain, a first team All-Central League selection, was the Rams’ MVP. Was a fine all-around performer, scoring four goals and dishing out several assists.
Emilia Conners, Haverford High – Senior midfielder/defender, a repeat All-Central League selection, was a solid contributor to the Fords’ successful season. Has committed to Shippensburg University.
Maura Quaile, Haverford High – Junior forward, a first team All-Central League selection, was a potent offensive force for the Fords this fall.
Leah Drake, Haverford High – Senior defender, a repeat first team All-Main Line selection, was a valuable contributor to the Fords’ defensive effort this fall. An All-Central League selection, she has committed to West Chester University.
Sage O’Connor, Lower Merion – Senior center midfielder, a first team All-Central League selection, distributes the ball efficiently and her free hits are considered fast, hard and accurate. Noted for her leadership and work ethic, she tallied seven goals and 17 assists in nine games this fall. She will continue her field hockey career at Drexel University.
Grace O’Connor, Lower Merion – Sophomore forward, a first team All-Central League selection, tallied 17 goals and seven assists for the Aces this fall. A persistent attacker noted for her quick stick work and an impressive direct shot on corners, she poses an unexpected threat defending free hits because of her long reach and reaction time.
Victoria Arra, Merion Mercy Academy – Senior center midfielder, a repeat first team All-Main Line selection and an AACA all-star, was crucial in creating attack and transition for the Golden Bears. Committed to play at Boston College, she was a productive offensive force for the Golden Bears this fall (seven goals, seven assists).
Kelly O’Connor, Merion Mercy Academy – Junior midfielder/defensive center mid, an AACA all-star, is an all-around performer who reads passing lane wells, and is a strong central defender with the ability to distribute and create coming up the field.
Kristen Rake, Merion Mercy Academy – Senior goalie, an AACA all-star, posted a save percentage above .800, recording 57 saves and allowing only 14 goals in 10 games. Committed to play next fall for University of Richmond. Noted as a quick, aggressive goalie who can make many saves in a row because of her fast feet and movement in front of the cage.
Hope Delaney, Radnor – Junior midfielder, a first team All-Central League selection, was an all-around force for the Raiders, scoring 15 goals in 12 games and dishing out five assists.
Cierra Hopson, Radnor – Senior forward, a first team All-Central League selection this fall, was a productive offensive player for Radnor’s strong team, scoring 12 goals and dishing out 11 assists.
Madison Milhous, Radnor – Senior midfielder was an all-around performer for a strong Raiders’ squad, tallying four goals and dishing out six assists. Received second team All-Central League honors.
Mary Lauren Franz, Sacred Heart Academy – Senior forward, a two-time AACA all-star and the Lions’ 2020 MVP, was Sacred Heart’s leading scorer this fall with 11 goals in 10 games. Has committed to Ursinus College.
Maia Dechiario, Villa Maria Academy – Junior back and captain, a repeat All-Main Line first team selection and an AACA all-star, anchored the Hurricanes and provided plenty of versatility in her skills on both sides of the ball. University of Connecticut commit was 2019 all-state selection.
Gia Whalen, Villa Maria Academy – Sophomore midfielder/forward, a repeat first team All-Main Line selection and an AACA all-star, tallied 11 goals and dished out six assists in 11 games this fall, and is noted for her all-around talent, field vision and team play.
Lindsey Roberts, Villa Maria Academy – Junior forward, an AACA all-star, was a powerful offensive presence for the Hurricanes, scoring 14 goals and dishing out 12 assists in 11 games. Ohio State University commit was the Hurricanes’ top playmaker for Villa’s attack, setting up numerous goals. Noted for her range of skills and unselfish play.

SECOND TEAM

Academy of Notre Dame – Evelyn O’Neill, junior defender; Abby D’Anjolell, senior midfielder; Saylor Milone, freshman forward.
Agnes Irwin – Lauren DeRose, sophomore center midfielder.
Archbishop Carroll – Courtney Keith, senior goalie; Karli Dougherty, senior forward; Nicole Pawelec, senior defender.
Conestoga – Amanda Foster, senior defensive midfielder; Lily Jamison, junior midfielder; Lily Wolfe, junior defender; Jess Mullin, senior forward.
Episcopal Academy – Macy Szukics, junior midfielder; Mia Gaber, junior forward.
Harriton – Kiki Egberts, sophomore midfielder.
Haverford High – Mary Kate Ardizzi, senior forward; Ella VanLuvender, junior defender/midfielder.
Merion Mercy Academy – Kerry McCormick, sophomore midfielder; Catherine Voegele, junior defender.
Radnor – Riley Mazzalupi, junior midfielder; Katie DeShan, senior defender; Sheila Esgro, senior forward.
Sacred Heart Academy – Abby Braun, junior goalie.
Villa Maria Academy – Caroline O’Brien, junior midfielder/forward; Annie Shaw, junior forward; Ryan Hickey, junior midfielder/forward.

HONORABLE MENTION

Academy of Notre Dame – Maddie Frank, junior defender; Maeve Seeger, freshman forward/midfielder.
Agnes Irwin – Lily Botta, junior defensive center midfielder; Ariana Karalis, junior left forward.
Archbishop Carroll – Grace O’Neill, junior midfielder.
Conestoga – Caroline Wisch, senior forward; Amanda Hill, sophomore defender.
Harriton – Sydney Odiorne, senior midfielder; Rachel Kolton, junior forward; Avery Wollak, junior forward.
Haverford High – Joey Miller, senior midfielder.
Lower Merion – Mia Trailes, senior defender; Madeline Wood, senior defender.
Radnor – Kelsey Wakiyama, junior defender; Meghan Dole, sophomore goalie.
Sacred Heart Academy – Caroline Fleming, junior defender; Meilyn Frank, junior defender.
Villa Maria Academy – Brynna Hill, sophomore midfielder/forward/defender; Jackie Stinger, senior goalie; Colby Dobra, senior defender.