25 CIAC players to watch
Tess Albrecht, Norwalk, Sr., F: Scored 36 goals and had 17 assists in leading the Bears to the CIAC Class L semifinals last season. Two-time CHSCA All-State, GameTimeCT All-State and AllFCIAC selection.
Laine Ambrose, Staples, Sr., M: Had 14 goals and 11 assists and led the Wreckers to their fourth straight Class L title with a 4-2 win over Darien. CHSCA All-State, GameTimeCT All-State and first team all-FCIAC selection. One of team captains, has commited to play field hockey at Boston College.
Kate Anzidei, Wethersfield, Sr., F: Leading goal scorer on team last season with 23. Led Wethersfield to its best season in program history with a 15-1 reguar season record. She was first team CHSCA All-State and All-CCC.
Avery Bryanton, Granby, Sr. M: Using her exceptional stick skills she scored the game-winning goal off a penalty corner in last season’s 1-0 win over North Branford in the CIAC Class S championship game. She plays yearround, including internationally for the sport. She has committed to play for Bellermine in Louisville, Kentucky.
Izzy Deveney, Staples, Sr., D: Converted from attack to defense last season. One reason Wreckers allowed only five goals in four CIAC Class L tournament games en route to Class L title, Staples’ fourth straight Class L title. One of the team’s captains, she has committed to play field hockey at Trinity.
Maddie Epke, Guilford, Jr. M: Had 26 goals and 15 assists, including a goal and two assists in a 3-2 win over SCC rival Hand in CIAC Class M championship game to earn MVP honors. All-SCC, CHSCA All-State, GameTimeCT All-State and Register AllArea selection. Named most outstanding player in SCC tournament title game.
Jessica Evans. Pomperaug, Sr., M: Contributing as a playmaker and scorer, she helped lead Panthers to an 11-5-1-1 record and to the CIAC Class M quarterfinals. All-SWC and CHSCA All-State selection, the two-sport athlete has committed to play both field hockey and lacrosse at Babson.
Caitlin Gallagher, Glastonbury, Sr., M: Will be among the key players in transition phase at midfield with her stick skills and field vision. Top playmaker led team in assists. She was CHSCA All-State selection.
Megan Gilbey, Avon, Sr., M: She is one of the many talented players in northern Connecticut who
excel in multiple phases of the game. Gilbey is one of top scorers and playmakers on team due to her stick handling ability. CHSCA All-State selection last season.
Katie Goyda, Newtown, Sr., F-M: Set singleseason scoring and assist record at Newtown as a sophomore with 22 goals and 13 assists and broke her own record as a junior with
30 goals and 25 assists. Led the Nighthawks to a 16-0 regular season record and No. 1 seed in Class L tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals where they lost 1-0 to Norwalk. Goyda has committed to play field hockey at Bryant.
Grace Hartmann, Hand, Sr., F-M: Tigers’ leading scorer last season. Led Tigers to CIAC Class M final where they lost to SCC rival Guilford. Coach Sue Leckey said Hartmann is the most experienced and impactful player returning from last season.
Lauren Horne, Westbrook, Sr, G: She is considered one of the top goalies in the state and was named a Regional AllAmerican last season. She had 14 shutouts, allowed 10 goals and led the Knights to the Class S semifinals where they lost 1-0 in double overtime to eventual champion Granby. The Knights ended up 14-2-3 in
2019.
Lauren Houle, Cheshire, Jr., M: Coach Eileen Wildermann said Houle’s height and athleticism com
bine to make her solid on offense and defense. She is a solid distributor and role model for the team. Wildermann said Houle is “being recruited by several top field hockey colleges.”
Kelli Jacobson, North Branford, Sr., M: A talented defensive player who plays year-round and has committed to play at the University of New Haven. She is one reason the Thunderbirds advanced to the Class S championship game last season where they lost 1-0 to Granby. North Branford allowed only two goals in the four games of the tournament. She was a Register All-Area and GameTimeCT All-State selection.
Ellie Korinek, Stonington, Sr., F: Scored 19 goals last season and led the team to a 12-3-2 record. Coach Jenna Tuccio calls her a “dynamic player.” She was named first team AllECC and has committed to play field hockey at Smith College.
Aerin Krys, Ridgefield, Jr. F-M: She is one of the team’s captains and has committed to play at Northwestern. Three-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 last season and led the team to a 16-3-0-2 record.
Anna Lindeis, New Canaan, Sr., M: She was one of the contributors on both offense and defense last season. She had five goals and seven assists and led the Rams to the Class L quarterfinals where they lost 7-2 to FCIAC rival and eventual CLass L champ Staples. She was named FCIAC All-East and selected for the 2019 Connecticut Junior Select team.
Molly Mitchell, New Canaan, Jr., F: She was one of the top scorers for the Rams last season with
14 goals and 10 assists and even with a shortened season due to COVID-19 should improve on those numbers in 2020.
Mary Norman, Glastonbury, Sr., M: The second half of the tough 1-2 punch at midfield contributing on offense, defense and in the transition phase. Norman was named a NFHCA Regional AllAmerican last season and CHSCA All-State.
Lindsey Olson, Darien, Sr., D: The Blue Wave, who lost 4-2 to FCIAC rival Staples in the 2019 Class L final, are strong on defense. One reason for that strength is two of the top returning players excel on that end of the field. Coach Mo Minicus said Olson is a strong defender with excellent stick skills and can throw the ball well, creating great offensive opportunities.
Celia Preveza, Immaculate, Sr., F-M: The versatile player played at center halfback last season but coach Shannon Horosky is considering moving her to forward. The team lost offensive standout Molly Coyle to graduation and Horosky believes that Preveza can spark the forward line. She was named CHSCA All-State last season..
Payton Rahn, Amity, Sr., G: Rahn is committed to play field hockey at Fairfield University. She only allowed five goals during the regular season in 2019 and led the Spartans to a
14-2 record.
Brinsley Rushe, Darien, Sr., M: Rush is another top defender for the Blue Wave. Coach Mo Minicus said she is “a quick and speedy midfielder, who can run forever.” Rushe has solid stick skills and is a contributor on both offense and defense.
Hannah Tillier, Guilford, Sr., F: She had 22 goals and 20 assists last season. Tillier is part of a deeply talented front line that includes a 1-2 scoring punch with Maddie Epke. Tillier scored a goal and contributed on defense to help lead Guilford to its second straight Class M title in 2019 with a 3-2 win over Hand.
Lorien Touponse, Wethersfield, Sr. F: She is a key playmaker for the Eagles. But she can also score and provides a tough
1-2 scoring punch with teammate Kate Anzidei.