2016 Mercury-Area Field Hockey Preview
The fall high school sports season is upon us. Read about the area’s girls field hockey teams with our team-by-team preview including players to watch, coach’s takes and more:
Boyertown
Head coach: Karen Kooker, second season.
Last year’s record: 4-9 PAC-10; 7-11 overall. Players to watch: Seniors: Allie Bardman; Tiff Diachynsky; Hannah Wentzel; Maddy Siejk; Haydn Hallman; Katelyn Burkhardt; Kaitlyn Berger. Juniors: Sydney Fox.
Outlook: The Bears will look to improve on last season’s record with Kooker returning for her second season and a bulk of the starting lineup returning for their senior seasons. “We are excited to get started with the upcoming season,” said Kooker. “Though we graduated six seniors last year who offered outstanding leadership, we have 15 seniors this year who will be able to step into their shoes.”
Daniel Boone
Head coach: Ashley Renshaw, seventh season. Last year’s record: 5-4-1 Berks Conference I; 8-7-1 overall.
Players to watch: Seniors: Ashley Bonetz, midfield; Riley Owens, defense; Cara Shackleford, forward.
Outlook: After starting out 0-5, the Blazers gained some ground down the stretch of the 2015 season. They’ll look to carry that success over with them into this season, where they return All-Area Honorable Mention Bonetz to lead the charge. “We are trying to fill some holes due to graduation and injuries but are looking to be competitive in the newly-aligned Berks County Division I,” said Renshaw. Daniel Boone will now go up against defending PIAA-AA champion Twin Valley twice a year due to the realignment.
Hill School
Head coach: Julie deLaurentis, sixth season.
Last year’s record: 4-1 MAPL; 8-8 overall. Players to watch: Seniors: Alexis Grippo, forward; Erin Kelly, midfield/defense; Lexi Davidson, midfield; Eileen Carmichael, forward. Juniors: Giavanna Tabarrini, midfield; MaryKate Stone, defense.
Outlook: Coming off an admittedly disappointing 2015 campaign, deLaurentis says there is plenty to look forward to at The Hill this year, especially when looking down the lineup. With the return of All-MAPL First/All-Area Second Teamers Grippo and Kelly along with Carmichael (All-Area Honorable Mention), the Blues could be primed to make a run into the MAPL playoffs. “We’re looking forward to a new year,” said deLaurentis. “With new talent added to the roster and our strong core returning, we are hopeful for a better, more competitive season. We are excited about what we can accomplish and look forward to a fun year of hockey.”
Methacton
Head coach: Sarah Quintois, fifth season. Last year’s record: 9-3-1 PAC-10; 18-5-1 overall.
Players to watch: Seniors: Jackie Cerchio, forward; Emily Mycek, midfield; Addie Frey, goalkeeper; Kelsey Shoemaker, defense. Juniors: Julia Dickinson, midfield; Emily Owens, forward; Olivia Hoover, forward; Gretchen Alderfer, defense/midfield. Sophomores: Katy Benton, midfield; Frankie Lucchesi, midfield. Freshman: Liz Chipman, defense.
Outlook: Though they graduated a huge majority of their seniors from last year’s state playoff contending program, the Warriors return plenty of talent including Mercury All-Area First Teamer Hoover and Second Teamer Owens. Despite the lack of experience and only four starters from last year’s program, Quintois says her team has plenty of reliable players to count on. “Even with graduation, the team appears to have even more depth than last year’s,” she said. “If this team performs to their potential, it should be a very exciting year.”
Norristown
HeadLast overall. year’s coach: record: Rachel 1-13 Schuster Suburban One; 1-17 Players to watch: Junior: Georgia Werkiser, midfield.
Outlook: Their move to the Pioneer Athletic Conference should provide the Eagles a fresh start, as they haven’t finished above .500 since the 2012 season. Norristown will have to replace All-SOL Second Team midfielder Caitriona Fox and Honorable Mention goalie Lauren Whitley both lost to graduation. They’ll turn to Werkiser in the midfield.
Owen J. Roberts
Head coach: Amy Hoffman, second season. Last year’s record: 11-2 PAC-10; 19-7 overall. Players to watch: Seniors: Leanna Faust, midfield; Jordyn Marburger, midfield; Maddie Parr, defense. Juniors: Bridget Guinan, offense; Sarah Garritano, midfield; Rylie Hijosh, midfield; Riley Hansen, midfield; Kelsey Kilgallon, midfield; Cassie Micklesavage, goalie; Darby Stuart, goalie. Sophomores: Natalie Fuertsch, defense; Eloise Gebert, midfield. Freshmen: Jenna Kirby, offense. Outlook: After winning the PAC-10 title in her first season at the helm, Hoffman and the Wildcats will have a much more daunting task this season following the graduation of eight key starters. With only three starters returning from that state playoff team, Hoffman and OJR have been stepping up the competition this offseason. “With the growth and commitment from our players, the team is looking forward to the higher level of competition we will see again this season,” she said, “as well as making another run at a league and district title and going further in state tournament play.”
Perkiomen Valley
Head coach: Erik Enters, eighth season.
Last year’s record: 12-3 PAC-10; 13-8 overall. Players to watch: Seniors: Miranda Wesley, goalie; Sabrina Roberto, goalie. Juniors: Taylor Hamm, back; Sophomores: Gabby Martina, forward/mid. Freshmen: Danielle Hamm, mid; Katie Wuerstle, back.
Outlook: Coming off a PAC-10 title game appearance last season, the Vikings could be in for a rebuilding season following the departure of offensive standouts Kelsey Giese (Indiana) and Laura Shelton (UPenn) as well as goalie Kerri Hanshaw (Kuztown). PV’s roster consists of 45 players — 24 freshman — which gives Enters plenty to look forward to on the horizon as players develop. “In this rebuilding year, we will be focusing on basic skills, developing team unity, and playing good hockey,” he said. “This may be an inconsistent year for us on the field, but it will most definitely be the key year to another long run of successes for PVFH.”
Phoenixville
Head coach: JaJa Kentwell, first season.
Last year’s record: 8-5 PAC-10; 9-9 overall. Players to watch: Juniors: Gabby Herschell; Becca Lewis; Tyler Hall.
Outlook: A return to the PAC Final Four playoffs won’t be too easy this time around for the Phantoms. Gone are Mercury-Area First Teamers Rose Moore and Katie McErlean along with Second Teamer Allie Little and Honorable Mention Brogan Heisey. Phoenixville’s roster boasts only two seniors in Erica Spasato and Katie Sullivan, but will have two incoming freshman Katie Baker and Cassidy Stevens poised to make an impact.
Pope John Paul II
Head coach: Alicia Kirby, first season.
Last year’s record: 5-8 PAC-10; 8-9 overall. Players to watch: Seniors: Jackie Lerro, forward; Jenna Mozi, defense; Taylor Nugent, midfield/defense; Kaylee Spinrad, defense; Kendra Spykes, forward/midfield; Juniors: Katie McGuigan, goalkeeper.
Outlook: The Golden Panthers return a slew of seniors –including Lerro, the team’s leading scorer last season – for Kirby’s first year at the helm. “We have a core group of eight seniors who are helping to motivate a healthy number of enthusiastic and talented juniors, sophomores and freshmen. As a first year head coach, I am excited to be working with this group and ready for the season to begin.”
Pottsgrove
Head coach: Christine Campbell, seventh season.
Last year’s record: 1-12 PAC-10; 2-14 overall. Players to watch: Seniors: Kirsten Bond, forward; Hunter Dyer, forward; Esperanza Perez, defense. Juniors: Anna Myers, midfield; Maggie Dallas, goalie.
Outlook: After closing the 2015 season with their only conference win – 3-0 over Pottstown – the Falcons will look to carry that momentum with them this year. Now playing on turf, the Falcons are even more excited for the season to get under way. “The girls are working hard and building on individual strengths,” Campbell said. “We look forward to the girls continuing to grow and improve individual skills and collaboration as a team. Our girls are dedicated to the game and the team.”
Pottstown
Head coach: Brandy Scherer, 11th season.
Last year’s record: 1-12 PAC-10; 3-14 overall. Players to watch: Junior: Trinity Miller, midfield. Sophomores: Jayla Holloway, midfield; Da’zah Regusters, forward; Elsie Cannell, forward; Reilly Owens, defense.
Outlook: The Trojans can take solace in knowing that all three of last season’s wins came against now-PAC opponents. Pottstown posted shutouts against Pottsgrove and Upper Merion early last season then posted a 2-1 win over Norristown late on the year. However, they’ll be without All-Area First Team goalie Ebony Reddick, who will be playing soccer this fall. Boasting a lineup without much senior leadership and peppered with sophomores, the Trojans may take time to find an identity. “Our focus will be on teamwork, communication and dedication,” said Scherer. “With such a young group, this will be a great learning experience for many of the girls that will build their confidence for the upcoming years.”
Spring-Ford
Head coach: Jennie Anderson, sixth season. Last year’s record: 7-5-1 PAC-10; 10-8-1 overall.
Players to watch: Seniors: Lexie Nugent, forward. Juniors: Clare Kennedy, midfield; Erin Wilson, defense.
Outlook: The Rams will have some holes to fill, including the shoes of 2015 Mercury All-Area First Team goalie Claire Kraft. Nugent (Miami University-Ohio commit) and Kennedy (Brown University commit) return in hopes of leading a young Spring-Ford team back to the district tournament. “We are going to be a young team but have a lot of returning players from last year’s team,” said Anderson. “We are looking to be competitive in the PAC and to gain the lessons learned from competing in last season’s district playoff tournament.”
Upper Merion
Head coach: Angie Yanocha, 10th season. Last year’s record: 1-13 Suburban One; 2-15 overall.
Players to watch: Seniors: Alyssa Adinolfi, midfield; Yasmin Gant, midfield; Avelia Groff, defense. Junior: Rella Staley, forward.
Outlook: Change could prove to be a good thing for the Vikings as they enter their first season in the PAC. After compiling just eight conference wins over the past three seasons in Suburban One League play, Yanocha and Upper Merion are up to the task. “UM is a very young team with a lot of veteran players,” she said. “Our goal this year is to continue to improve as a team and hopefully make a smooth transition into our new league.” That transition should be aided with the help of SOL Honorable Mention Adinolfi controlling the midfield.
Upper Perkiomen
Head coach: Jamie Warren, 10th season.
Last year’s record: 7-6 PAC-10; 8-12 overall. Players to watch: Seniors: Michaela Swenk, defense; Kathryn Lehman, midfield; Gabby Martin, defense. Juniors: Hope Flack, forward; Liz Fox, forward/midfield; Kaylie Siwy, forward/mid. Sophomore: Abrianna Gatto, forward.
Outlook: Coming off their PAC-10 Final Four appearance where they lost to eventual champion Owen J. Roberts, the Tribe brings back the bulk of its lineup from last season including All-Area First Teamers Flack and Swenk. The roster should be a mould of several players with two-three years varsity experience. “We are adding to the mix some talented sophomores and freshmen,” Warren said. “We are looking forward to the new teams in our league, district and state competition. We are preparing each and every day this preseason to become a strong team whose goals are to compete at the league, district and state levels.”