Mercury-Area Team-by-Team Preview Capsules
Boyertown
Head coach: Karen Kooker, first season.
Last year’s record: 4-8-1 PAC-10, 6-10-1 overall.
Players to watch: Jess Flack, Sr., Forward; Payton Hughes, Sr., Forward; Alyssa Terra, Sr., Forward; Jenessa Stark, Sr., Defense; Braelee Scholl, Sr.; Defense.
Outlook: In her first season at the high school level, Kooker will have plenty of senior leadership to depend on this season as the Bears have five key seniors returning. The team will need to replace Angie DiGuiseppe in goal as well as forward Rebekah Jones. “We are looking to build upon last year’s progress and hope to challenge the rest of the teams in the PAC-10,” said Kooker. “We have a lot of vital shoes to fill from last year, but we are counting on our seniors to help us reach our goal of winning the PAC-10.”
Daniel Boone
Head coach: Ashley Renshaw, sixth season.
Last year’s record: 5-3-2 Berks Conference, 12-6-2 overall.
Players to watch: Skai Sprenkle, Sr., Midfield; Ashley Bonetz, Jr., Midfield; Adrianna Cozzone, Jr., Defense.
Outlook: Coming off the program’s first District 3 AAA playoff berth in eight seasons, the Blazers will look to put together another successful campaign. Despite losing All-State Second Teamer and Mercury-Area First Teamer Steph Sievers to graduation, Boone will look to Bonetz (All-Area Honorable Mention) as well as Sprenkle and Cozzone this season. “While there were some definite key losses from last season,” said Renshaw, “there will be some new key players looking to step into the vacated roles to continue to lead the team to another successful season.”
Hill School
Head coach: Julie deLaurentis, fifth season.
Last year’s record: 3-2 MAPL, 6-6-1 overall.
Players to watch: Alden Price, Sr., Forward; Alexis Grippo, Jr., Forward; Erin Kelly, Jr., Midfield; Eileen Carmichael, Jr., Forward.
Outlook: Despite putting up a respectable record and competing well throughout the season, deLaurentis says there are still better days ahead for the Blues. After graduating standout goalie Erin Dempsey this past season, The Hill will be searching for an impact player this season. With the return of Grippo (All-Area Honorable Mention), among several juniors, each player will have plenty of opportunities to prove their worth to the program. “Last year we were young and slightly inexperienced on the field, but this year we are back with strong numbers and a very strong core to continue to move the program forward,” said deLaurentis. “We are excited for our returners to really step up their game and for our newcomers to give us some new energy and talent.”
Methacton
Head coach: Sarah Quintois, fourth season.
Last year’s record: 8-5 PAC-10, 13-6 overall.
Players to watch: Maddie Alderfer, Sr., Midfield; Sarah Park, Sr., Goalie; Emily Sayre, Sr., Forward; Lauren Earnshaw, Sr., Defense; Sara Sterchak, Sr., Midfield; Gabby Owens, Sr., Defense; Jen Rees, Sr., Defense/Midfield; Katie Markle, Sr., Defense; Emily Mycek, Jr., Midfield; Julia Dickinson, So., Defense/Midfield; Emily Owens, So., Forward; Olivia Hoover, So., Forward.
Outlook: Sarah Park will have some impressive shoes to fill this season, following in the footsteps of All-State First Teamer Sammi Steele (Duke) in the cage. Quintois says the team has the pieces to put together another strong team this season. All-Area second teamers Alderfer and Sayre will be returning for their senior seasons along with honorable mentions Dickinson, Hoover, Markle and Rees. “The senior class is a very talented group that has been playing together for several years,” said Quintois. This year’s team is not only very skilled and experienced — they also have been working well together and beginning to play as a unit. There will be high expectations set for this year’s team with a lot to work for in the league, district and beyond.”
Owen J. Roberts
Head coach: Amy Hoffman, first season.
Last year’s record: 10-3 PAC-10, 12-7 overall (Lost to Perkiomen Valley in the PAC-10 championship).
Players to watch: Makena Aberle, Sr., Forward; Maddie Gebert, Sr., Midfield; Corinne Gerber, Sr., Midfield; Courtney Gerber, Sr., Midfield; Amanda Lamb, Sr., Goalie; Nettie Montes, Sr., Defense; Keeley White, Sr., Midfield; Maddie Schaeffer, Sr., Midfield; Leanne Faust, Jr., Forward; Jordyn Marburger, Jr., Defense; Maddie Parr, Jr., Defense; Anna Dempsey, Jr., Midfield/Forward.
Outlook: First-year head coach Amy Hoffman will come into a great situation in Bucktown following Clarence Jennelle’s departure to coach with the Texas Pride in Houston. Despite losing several key players from last year’s team to graduation, the Wildcats will be returning seven starters from last year’s PAC-10 runner-up team including All-Area First Team Members Corinne Gerber (tied for first in PAC-10 assists, second in goals last season) and Montes as well as Second Teamers Courtney Gerber and White. Hoffman says the team has plenty of players to fill the remaining holes across the field. “This year’s team has an abundance of game experience and hockey knowledge,” she said. “With the combination of our returning players and the growth of our younger players, we are looking forward to the high level of competition we will see this season, as well as making a strong run for the PAC-10 title.”
Perkiomen School
Head coach: Melissa Gaiser, seventh season.
Last year’s record: 4-3 overall.
Players to watch: Stephanie Falcone, Sr., Midfield; Meghan McIntyre, Sr., Goalkeeper.
Outlook: The Panthers will look to build off their success down the stretch to close out the 2014 season. Following a lopsided loss to Plumstead Christian halfway through the season, Perkiomen rattled off three straight victories to end the season, outscoring opponents 13-3 in that stretch. Although they’ll be without Madelyn Ferdock (Mercury-Area Honorable Mention), the team will return Falcone at midfield along with McIntyre in the cage for their senior seasons.
Perkiomen Valley
Head coach: Erik Enters, seventh season.
Last year’s record: 13-0 PAC-10, 18-5 overall (PAC-10 Champions).
Players to watch: Kelsey Giese, Sr., Forward; Laura Shelton, Sr., Midfield; Mara Wrzesniewski, Sr., Forward/Mid; Kerri Hanshaw, Sr., Goalie; Danielle Tromellen, Sr., Back; Gabby Martina, Fr., Forward.
Outlook: Coming off an undefeated PAC-10 regular season in which the Vikings fell just short of the state tournament (lost to Phoenixville in play-in game), the Vikings look ready to repeat their success from last season. Despite graduating the team’s top scorer in Annie Himsworth (Louisville) along with several defenders, PV returns Giese (Indiana commit) and Shelton (UPenn commit) among several other key players for their senior season. “Like any season, new starters and young players will be expected to step up and fill critical roles for PV. Look for the defense to gel and come together around a new crop of talented defenders,” said Enters. “Our team hopes to return to the PAC-10 Final Four, the District One Tournament and this year (move) on to states.”
Phoenixville
Head coach: Dani DeLeo, first season.
Last year’s record: 12-1 PAC-10, 20-5 overall (lost to Owen J. Roberts in PAC-10 playoff opener, advanced to PIAA-AAA tournament).
Players to watch: Katie McErlean, Sr., Midfield; Rose Moore, Sr., Forward.
Outlook: The Phantoms will have a whole new look under first year head coach DeLeo as the Phantoms graduated 12 seniors from its PIAA-clinching team, including Mercury All-Area Player of the Year and area leading scorer Bailey Quinn (41 goals). McErlean and Moore are the only starters returning from last season’s historic run that saw TJ Jefferis (East Stroudsburg), Kim Rutherford, Allison Trafford, Haley White and Gabby Duda depart due to graduation.
Pope John Paul II
Head coach: Jackie Petery, third season.
Last year’s record: 2-10-1 PAC-10, 6-11-1 overall.
Players to watch: Katherine Martin, Sr., Forward/Midfield; Stephanie Petery, Sr., Forward/Midfield; Katie Lockbaum, Sr., Defense; Emily Rigby, Sr., Defense/Midfield; Hannah White, Sr., Forward/Midfield; Abby Togno, Sr., Forward/Midfield; Jackie Lerro, Jr., Forward; Kendra Sykes, Jr., Forward/Midfield; Taylor Nugent, Jr., Defense.
Outlook: The Golden Panthers haven’t had a winning record since the 2011 season. But with the return of Mercury All-Area honorable mentions Martin and Petery for their senior seasons, the Golden Panthers boast a lineup of 10 returning seniors. In addition to its seniors, PJP will also return a steady amount of underclassmen who saw a lot of playing time throughout the 2014 season. “The team has an intense desire to win and they have been working hard in practice every day to improve,” said Petery. “PJP hopes to build on the experience they gained last year and be competitive this season.”
Pottsgrove
Head coach: Christine Campbell, sixth season.
Last year’s record: 1-12 PAC-10, 2-16 overall.
Players to watch: Alyssa O’Neill, Sr., Forward Brooke Toennies, Sr. Forward; Imanye Delay, Sr., Link; Maddie Davis, Sr., Defense; Kristen Rodgers, Sr., Forward; Hunter Dyer, Jr., Forward; Shauna Maggio, Jr., Defense.
Outlook: The Falcons haven’t totaled more than one PAC-10 win in a season during the senior class’ time with the program. Still, the team has plenty of optimism that this year could be the start of a new trend. With a strong group of seniors returning, Campbell hopes her upperclassmen have the tools to lead the team. “We have a cohesive group of seniors to lead our team,” she said. “This year, although a small team, we have a strong group of upperclassmen. We are hoping the hard work and dedication these girls have shown will pay off with a better record and a terrific season.”
Pottstown
Head coach: Brandy Scherer, 10th season.
Last year’s record: 3-10 PAC-10, 5-12 overall.
Players to watch: Mardaije Pearson, Sr., Midfield; Breana Bodnar, Sr., Midfield; Amiyah Hudson, Sr., Midfield; Ebony Riddick, So., Goalie.
Outlook: After turning over the entire roster from last season, the Trojans hope experience can bring them into contention this year. Mercury-Area first team member Reddick will return in the cage while honorable mentions Bodnar and Hudson will control the midfield. “We have about 20 girls on the roster which is something that has not happened for a few years,” said Scherer. “This will allow us the opportunity to have more intense practices, opportunities to recover properly and also provide competition within the team. It will be up to the girls to decide if they are fully committed and dedicated to put it all together on the field.”
Spring-Ford
Head coach: Jennie Anderson, fifth season.
Last year’s record: 3-9-1 PAC-10, 4-13-1 overall.
Players to watch: Karly Conway, Sr., Midfield; Claire Kraft, Sr., Goalie; Milka Lopez, Sr., Forward; Julianna Hennessey, Sr., Defense; Lexie Nugent, Jr., Forward; Clare Kennedy, So., Midfield.
Outlook: With the departure of Mercury-Area first teamer Taylor Brennan (Wake Forest) among several other players due to graduation, the Rams will look for a new main scorer as well as some new leadership this upcoming season. According to Anderson, the team will look to build on every experience both in practice and during games. “We have a young team and are looking to compete every day in our league,” she said. “We have a core group of starters back from last year’s team who are looking to build on the lessons learned from last year and use them during the upcoming season.”
Upper Perkiomen
Head coach: Jamie Warren, ninth season.
Last year’s record: 7-5-1 PAC-10, 9-11-1 overall (lost to Perkiomen Valley in PAC-10 playoff opener).
Players to watch: Julia Duemler, Sr., Midfield; Julia Rogers, Sr., Forward; Brooke Zappo, Sr., Midfield/Defense; Michaela Swenk, Jr., Defense; Kathryn Lehman, Jr., Midfield/Defense: Gabby Martin, Sr., Defense; Kourtne Buck, Jr., Midfield; Hope Flack, So., Midfield; Liz Fox, So., Midfield; Erika Boyer, So., Goalie.
Outlook: A season after falling 3-0 in the PAC-10 final four to eventual conference champion Perkiomen Valley, the Indians will look to advance even further this season. Despite the loss of All-Area First Team member Sam Dingler and Second Teamer Aubrey Wilcox to graduation, the Tribe returns several key experienced players for their senior seasons including Duemler (Honorable Mention). “Our goal is to develop our team with strong leadership and hard work by challenging each player to improve each practice,” said Warren. “Along with teamwork, we are working on mastering our individual skills this preseason. We are confident that we will see positive results in our game play.”
