Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
2023 Daily Local News All-Area Field Hockey Teams
Forwards Caitlin Connell, So., Villa Maria — Simply put, Connell had a monster season, accounting for 70-percent of the Hurricanes’ attack over the course of Villa’s run to a state championship. Selected to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-Region First Team, Connell notched a whopping 62 goals on the year, while adding 20 assists.
Nadia Nemeth, Sr., Great Valley — Despite missing a few games due to injury, Nemeth still put up some of the best numbers in the county. The Northwestern recruit closed out her high school career with a season that saw her find the back of the cage 48 times, giving her a total of 133 for her career, while also chipping in with 15 assists.
Piper Cline, Sr., Downingtown West — A co-captain for the Whippets, Cline scored 30 goals on the season, while adding 15 assists. Cline is moving on to play field hockey at Division I Providence College.
Peyton Esposito, Fr., Conestoga — The freshman made an immediate impact on the Pioneers’ offensive attack, trailing only DLN Player of the Year Shae Wozniak in scoring, notching 26 goals and 23 assists for 75 points. Midfield Eva Nemeth, Sr., Great Valley — The unselfish Nemeth played any role asked of her, including stepping in on defensive corners when needed. Nemeth, who will be joining her twin sister Nadia at Northwestern next year, scored 19 goals and was credited with 11
assists.
Morgan O’Donnell, So., Avon Grove — O’Donnell was an integral part of the Red Devils’ historic season, connecting on 36 goals, and assisting on another 10. Slipping back to pitch in on defense, O’Donnell also contributed with six defensive saves.
Lexi Patterson, Jr., Conestoga — A quick, smart and skilled defensive midfielder, Patterson excelled at taking the ball away from the opposition and distributing it to the ‘Stoga scorers. Patterson scored three goals and had five assists on the season. A second-team NFHCA All-Region selection, Patterson is committed to play her college hockey at the University of Michigan.
Lydia Bechtel, Sr., West Chester East — Bechtel led the Vikings in scoring as East once again qualified for the state tourney, notching 18 goals and assisting on another five. Bechtel, headed to the University of Scranton to continue her
academic and athletic careers, also excels in the classroom, currently carrying a 4.6 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Defense Callen Todd, Sr., Villa Maria — The Hurricanes’ center back excelled at keeping the opposition out of the cage. A James Madison University recruit, Todd played a key leadership role, and was pivotal on defensive corners.
Olivia Morraye, Sr., Downingtown West — Arguably the top defender in the ChesMont, Morraye was a brick wall for the Whippets. Morraye, committed to play for American University next year, was a key player on both offensive and defensive corners, as a main striker on offense, and on the post on defensive corners.
Reilly Lackman, So, Great Valley — Adding some more speed to her game this year, Lackman was an exceptional defender for the Patriots this season. Strong and fearless, Lackman keyed a very solid
Great Valley defensive unit.
Mia Freeman, Sr,, Dowiningtown West — A leader for the Whippets both on and off the field, Freeman flawlessly transitioned from midfield to defense this year. Committed to play at Lafayette next season, Freeman was a main striker on offensive corners, and a beast on the post on defensive corners. Goalie Kaiya Chepow, Sr., Downingtown West — Chepow’s play in goal was a big part of West’s run to its second-straight district finals appearance, allowing just 14 goals on the season for a 0.54 per game average. Chepow, credited with eight shutouts on the season, will guard the cage at Duke next season. SECOND TEAM Forwards Aimee Largoza, Jr., Downingtown West
Nia Massey, Sr., Downingtown East
Tyler Rice, Sr., West Chester East
Ava Wells, Sr., Conestoga
Midfield Kylie Briggs, Sr., Downingtown West
Carly Smith, Sr., Downingtown West
Jack Shaw, Fr., Villa Maria
Kirstyn Kolinsky, Downingtown East Defense Isabella Beck, Jr., Downingtown East
Kylie Chandler, Jr., West Chester East
Sophia Marcotte, Unionville Goalie Alex Lepore, Sr., Conestoga
Lorelai Lehenky, Coatesville
HONORABLE
Avon Grove: Hannah Strawhecker, Kendra Cornatzer, Cassidy Ashworth; Bishop Shanahan: Stella D’Ambro, Bailey Conroy; Coatesville: Paige McKim, Avery O’Hara; Conestoga: Keating Hopkins, Addie Delorefice, Aubrey Delorefice, Hannah Simon, Emma Nikolic; Downingtown East:
Sr.,
Jr.,
Sr.,
MENTIONS
Ella Pfizenmayer, Kate Davidson, Isabella Beck; Downingtown West: Regan Welsh; Great Valley: Abby Perrazoli, Gabby Helduser; Kennett: Whitney Walker, Margo Schwarz, Stella Houghton, Marissa Herring; Oxford: Paige Boone, Ava McGlothlin, Lily Fay; Unionville: Jaclyn Gilroy, Chloe Almeida, Sophia Marcotte; Villa Maria: Gabby Balzano, Erin Mitchell, Ella Cellini, Lauren Kurek, Katie Connolly, Mac Cush, Colby Gannon; West Chester East: Audrey Argonish, Kylie Chandler, Annalise Kubasko, Keira O’Flynn; West Chester Henderson: Lindsay Hoffman, McKenna McGee; West Chester Rustin: Grace O’Hora, Kylie Cebul, Sydney Yaw.
Coach of the Year Giuliana Antignani, Avon Grove
In her seventh season at the helm, Antignani guided the Red Devils through a 16-6-1 season that culminated with an appearance in the PIAA Class 3A tournament. It was the first time in school history that the Red Devils qualified for states in field hockey.
“The team this year was a special group who chose to come together and exemplify the culture that we have been working on building for the past seven years,” said Antignani. “We have a mix of players here at AG who play year-round, and some players who play for only three months out of the year. Watching them grow this season and come together to build this competitive program and to make it as far as we did was an amazing experience to be a part of.”