The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
FIELD HOCKEY PREVIEW
As the 2021 field hockey season approaches, here is a look at some of the top players, storylines and games to watch:
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Julia Carrozza, Ridgefield, M, Sr.: A captain and team leader, she will lead a strong group of midfielders for the Tigers with contributions on both sides of the field. She has committed to play at Holy Cross.
Riley Chlupsa, Staples, D, Sr.: Staples is expected to have another strong postseason in Class L and a strong defense led by Chlupsa’s experience that complements a strong offense. She has committed to play at Kenyon.
Zita Cohen, Greenwich, M, Sr.: A key player in the transition game, on defense and she can score. Will play at Brown.
Emily Curtis, Cheshire, M/D, Sr.: She transferred to Cheshire from England last season. Her exact position was still being determined by first-year coach Kya O’Donnell at press time. But she has developed a strong 1-2 punch on defense with teammate Lauren Houle, providing a strong line of defense for the Rams.
Reilly Dolan, Hand, M, Sr.: The defensive midfielder leads a strong on-field defense for the Tigers with her speed, field vision and ability to grab loose balls to create the team’s transition to offense.
Anne Drago, Stonington, D, Sr.: Stonington is typically one of the strongest teams in the eastern part of the state and last season was no exception. Drago, a tough and aggressive left fullback, led a strong varsity defense that allowed one goal (1-0 loss to East Lyme) and posted 13 shutouts for a 13-1 record. She was selected CHSCA AllState.
Maddie Epke, Guilford, M, Sr.: She was the leading scorer in the SCC last season with 20 goals and 21 assists and led Guilford to a 12-1-0-1 record. She had two goals and an assist in a 5-1 win over Cheshire in the SCC A Division championship game. All State 2020 and 2019, All-SCC 2020 and 2019, New Haven Register All Area 2020 and 2019, and Connecticut Sports Writer Alliance female athlete of 2020-2021. She will play lacrosse at James Madison University.
Sophia Furnholz, Stonington, D, Sr.: The right halfback is second half of a strong 1-2 punch on defense for Stonington, which allowed one goal (1-0 loss to East Lyme) and posted 13 shutouts last season. She is a finesse player who is adept at spotting weaknesses in opponents’ offensive formations and was a CHSCA All-State selection.
Lily Harrington, Staples, M/F, Sr.: Committed to play at Colby, she is expected to play a key role on both ends of the field as the Wreckers try to win their fifth straight Class L title.
Megan Hart, Hand, G, Sr.: Defense will be the strength early in the season for the Tigers led by Hart, who has committed to play at Connecticut College. While relying on her raw talent in the past, the three-year starter has developed into a solid goalie with her quickness, positioning skills and field vision.
Lauren Houle, Cheshire, M, Sr.: First-year coach Kya O’Donnell said Houle is a force to be reckoned with on the field. Her strength as a stickhandler allows her control the tempo of the game and control ball possession. She will play field hockey at Hamilton.
Maddy Hult, Darien, M/D, Sr.: A three-year starter and team captain, she will lead a strong defense and contribute in transitioning the Blue Wave from defense to offense.
Raina Johns, Darien, M/D, Jr.: A three-year starter, the talented back has received high praise from some coaches around the state for her strength and toughness on defense.
Aerin Krys, Ridgefield, M/F, Sr.: A 2020 CHSCA All-State selection and one of the team captains, she is a four-year starter who excels as a scorer and playmaker. She scored the team’s only goal in a 4-1 loss to Darien in the Class L semifinals in 2019. She has committed to play at Northwestern.
Sofia LaFalce, Fairfield Ludlowe, M, Sr.: - Committed to play field hockey and lacrosse at Rochester University, her work ethic, leadership, desire to mentor younger players and ability to motivate the team are intangibles that separate her from other players.
Jess Leon, Staples, M/F, Sr.: A Division I recruit committed to play at Bucknell, the talented captain provides scoring, defense and leadership.
Jade Marin, McMahon, M/F, Jr.: Coach Despina Savvoulides said she is projected to be one of team’s top scorers and “gives everything she has every second she is on the field.”
Bridget McGann, Hall, F, Sr.: Has improved every aspect of her game to contribute at a high level in every phase of the game. Strengths include vision of the field and solid stick and shooting skills. Had 11 goals and six assists in 2020. Has committed to play at Connecticut College.
Klara Mueffelmann, Greenwich, F, Jr.: One of the team’s top scorers with solid stick-handling skills. Has made an early commitment to play at Boston College.
Emma Nahon, Staples, D, Jr.: While Staples should have balanced scoring, Nahon provides depth on the defensive end of the field. She will play field hockey at the University of Pennsylvania.
Sonali Patel, Farmington, M, Sr.: The team’s leading scorer and playmaker contributes on offense, defense and the transition game. The captain is a team leader on and off the field.
Reagan Schoen, Newtown, F, Sr.: All-State last season and has 21 goals and 16 assists in her career. Coach Ellen Goyda said she is “expected to lead the Newtown surge to the top of the (SWC) conference with her unmatched speed and stick skills.” Plays for Competitive Edge Field Hockey in the offseason.
Nina Shamas, Branford, G, Sr.: She had 101 saves last season and was named first team CHSCA All-State.
Ashley Stockdale, Darien, F, So.: The strong attack player started as a freshman and will be a key contributor as a scorer and playmaker in leading the Blue Wave back to another deep run in the Class L tournament. In 2019, Darien lost 4-2 to FCIAC rival Staples in the Class L final.
Olivia Toto, North Branford, F, Sr.: The Thunderbirds have a long history of being a top challenger in the Class S tournament each season and a solid offense is typically a strength. Coach Babby Nuhn calls Toto a “feisty offensive wing.” She was All-State in 2020 and a New Haven Register All-Area selection.
STORYLINES
Embracing a return to some “normalcy”: Despite the impact of the current Delta Strain variant of COVID-19 with spikes throughout Connecticut, field hockey coaches interviewed throughout the state are embracing a return to a more complete 2021 season. Their players and parents are excited about 2021 as well. Due to the pandemic in 2020, teams were limited to league competition with the CIAC cancelling postseason tournaments for all sports. While COVID-19 protocols (mask wearing, social distancing, etc.) are still in place, the CIAC is moving forward with its usual postseason tournaments last held in 2019. The CIAC Class L, M and S tournaments begin with qualifying rounds on Nov. 8 with all three finals at Wethersfield High on Nov. 20.
Staples, Darien loaded again with talent, teams to beat in Class L: Staples continued its recent CIAC postseason dominance with a 4-2 win over Darien in the 2019 Class L final for its fourth straight title (Darien and Staples were co-champs in 2016). The Blue Wave, also loaded with impressive talent, will likely challenge the Wreckers once again. Based on the Top 25 players listed above, both teams have talent and depth on both ends of the field.
Hall, Glastonbury among top teams in northern Connecticut: While Staples and Darien are two of the top teams in the south, CCC rivals Hall and Glastonbury are two of the top teams in the north.
Attacker Molly Harding and midfielder Kaitlyn Welsh are among the top players for Glastonbury and Hall forward Bridget McGann has committed to play at Connecticut College. In prepandemic 2019, Hall finished the regular season 15-1 and Glastonbury was 12-1-2-1.
The late Cathy McGuirk big part of Branford’s season: Branford has dedicated the season to the memory of McGuirk who passed away last spring and had coached at Branford 41 years. Coach Pete Frye said players will wear some form of yet-to-be-approved item on their uniforms in honor of McGuirk. A memorial event has also been organized prior to the home game against SCC rival Shelton on Oct. 9.
Guilford goes for Class M three-peat in 2021: Guilford has been blessed with exceptional players producing success in the SCC and on the state level for years. But Guilford’s program reached another level the last two CIAC postseasons with Class M titles in 2018 (3-1 win over Sacred Heart Academy in the final) and 2019 (3-2 win over Hand in the final). Guilford has also won three straight SCC tournament titles. Forward Hannah Tillier, one-half of last season’s 1-2 scoring punch, has graduated and is playing lacrosse at Boston University. The other half of that scoring duo, midfielder Maddie Epke, returns after leading the SCC in scoring last season. She contributes on offense, defense and the transition game.
GAMES TO WATCH
Hall at Glastonbury, Sept. 9, 3:45 p.m.: Two of the top teams in the north meet in a key CCC season-opening game. “It’s a great early season test for both teams,” Glastonbury coach Maureen Perkins said. “We played them three times last year and it’s a really good rivalry that has developed over the past few years.”
Cheshire at Guilford, Sept. 17. 3:45 p.m.: O’Donnell and the Rams get an early test against SCC defending tournament champ Guilford. The game will showcase two of the SCC’s standout players in Epke and Houle.
Staples at Darien, Sept. 22, 4 p.m.: Two of the state’s powerhouse teams face off in an early-season key FCIAC matchup. The teams met in the CIAC Class L finals three times between 2016-2019 with the teams ending up Class L co-champs in 2016, Staples won 1-0 in 2017 and Staples won 4-2 in 2019.
Hand at Darien, Oct. 2, 2 p.m.: This SCC vs. FCIAC game has become an annual matchup for the friendly rivals who both have a history of postseason success. The Tigers early-season strength is its defense and it will be tested against the Blue Wave and its balanced scoring attack led by Ashley Stockdale.
Guilford at Darien, Oct. 9, 10:30 a.m.: Another SCC vs. FCIAC matchup with Class L standout Darien taking on the most dominant team in Class M the past two CIAC postseasons (2018, 2019). Guilford coach Kitty Palmer and Darien coach Maureen Minicus, two of the most successful coaches in the state, match wits in what should be an exciting game for fans.