All-Delco Field Hockey: Episcopal quartet made it a banner season for Churchwomen

In addition to Daily Times Player of the Year Sophia Tornetta of Agnes Irwin, the All-Delco field hockey team includes:

Maddie Bacskai, Episcopal Academy:The junior center back teamed with Ali Rushton to form the most formidable back line in the county. EA allowed 21 goals in 27 games and posted 15 shutouts. She recorded 23 direct defensive saves and other defensive assists, and also found the time to score nine goals and hand out eight assists. Bacskai was named to the U17 national team earlier this season. She has committed to Princeton.

Riley Dolan, Bonner-Prendergast: The unselfish sophomore midfielder set the Pandas’ offense in motion and helped Bonner-Prendergast with a share of the Catholic League regular-season title with Archbishop Carroll and Cardinal O’Hara. She scored 14 goals and dished out a team-high 33 assists. Her goal off a corner against Archbishop Carroll in the Catholic League playoffs sent the game into overtime. One of two Pandas to earn first-team All-Catholic honors.

Makayla Gallen, Cardinal O’Hara: The sophomore was part of a young and talented forward line that powered the Lions to a 16-5 overall record, an 8-1 mark in the league, a share of the Catholic League regular-season title with Archbishop Carroll and Bonner-Prendergast and the District 12 Class AAA championship for the third consecutive season. She was part of an offense that scored 103 goals and reached double digits in three games.

Quinn Maguire, Notre Dame: The Irish needed a replacement of offense for two-time Player of the Year Moira Putsch and Maguire helped to fill that void. The sophomore forward was the driving force behind an offense that powered the Irish to the championship game of the PAISAA championship game where they dropped a tough, 3-2 decision to EA. Scored 25 goals including two in Notre Dame’s 3-2 win over Agnes Irwin in the semifinals. She also handed out 14 assists for the Irish.

Keara McNulty, Archbishop Carroll: The senior captain scored with less than five minutes to play to give the Patriots a 3-2 victory over Cardinal O’Hara in the Catholic League championship game. A first-team All-Catholic selection who started every game for the Patriots over the last two seasons. McNulty finished the season with eight goals and four assists to lead Carroll to the PIAA Class AA playoffs.

Christy Palazzese, Episcopal Academy: The senior co-captain and two-time All-Delco selection was one of the key players on a team that went 26-1 and finished the season ranked third nationally. Scored 19 goals, added 16 assists and made 18 defensive saves from her center-midfield position to lead the Churchwomen to the Inter-Ac League and Pennsylvania Independent Schools championships. She has signed to play at Duke.

Margaux Paolino, Episcopal Academy: The junior forward already has been selected to serve as co-captain for her senior season, which tells you a lot about her value to the team. A two-time All-Delco and three-time, first-team All-Inter-Ac League selection who also was a candidate for Player of the Year honors. Paolino led the Churchmen with 27 goals. She also found the time to hand out 21 assists. She will be joining Palazzese at Duke in 2016.

Jess Randazzo, Cardinal O’Hara: The senior midfield was the driving force behind O’Hara’s run to its third straight District 12 Class AAA title, a share of the Catholic League regular-season championship and a spot in the PIAA Class AAA tournament. She set the offense in motion and helped a defense that blanked eight of nine opponents in the Catholic League. Was voted the Most Valuable Player in the Catholic League by the league’s coaches. She will attend Rider.

Ali Ruston, Episcopal Academy: The senior co-captain and left back used her speed and aggressive play to help anchor the defense with Bacskai. She is strong in the circle, according to EA coach Gina Buggy, making 28 defensive saves for the Churchmen. Her strong possession skills also allowed Rushton to attack from the left side coming out of the defense. She will attend ACC power North Carolina in the fall.

Julianna Tornetta, Agnes Irwin: The sophomore midfielder teamed with her older sister Sophia to form one of the most potent 1-2 scoring punches in the area. She scored 38 goals and added 27 assists to earn All-Delco and All-Inter-Ac honors for the second straight season and help lead the Owls to the semifinal round of the PAISAA tournament. She is a member of the USA U19 national team.

Kate Wyman, Haverford High: The senior goalie anchored a defense that powered the Fords to the District One Class AAA playoffs. Posted five shutouts and allowed one goal in five other games. A two-year starter, Wyman earned team MVP honors as a junior and defensive MVP laurels as a senior. Wyman is a two-time, first-team All-Central League selection who will attend Longwood University in Virginia next fall.