GIRLS HOCKEY: PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mackenzie Chapman, Sr., F, Simsbury: A key forward for a Simsbury team that has been among the state’s elite in recent years, Chapman’s role will be even bigger this winter, as the Trojans are contending with some injuries. She had 30 points on 16 goals and 14 assists while earning a spot on the GameTimeCT allstate first team last winter. Meghan Croyle, Sr., F, ETB: The senior forward has collected 27 goals and 17 assists for 44 points the past two seasons, and will be one of the Storm’s stars on offense again this season. As a junior, she led ETB with a +12 rating.
Maddie Epke, Sr., F, Guilford: Epke has been racking up points since her freshman season, and reached the 100goal milestone as a junior this past year. Twice named the SCC Player of the Year, Epke will be looking to add to her career totals of 110 goals and 65 assists while leading the Grizzlies this winter.
Meadow Gilchrist, F, Sr., Stamford/Westhill/Staples: An outstanding offensive weapon, Gilchrist hasn’t grabbed the headlines as the SWS co-op has struggled in recent seasons. If the team steps up this winter — and it did win its first two games — Gilchrist will grab a lot more attention.
Elsa Haakonsen, Soph., G, Trumbull/St. Joseph:
Haakonsen was a key part of the Eagles’ breakout campaign last winter. She also racked up 37 saves in a 6-2 victory over Stamford/ Westhill/Staples in the FCIAC quarterfinals — Trumbull’s first-ever tournament win.
Kaleigh Harden, Sr., F, New Canaan:
One of the state’s most electric forwards, Harden has led the Rams in scoring in each of the past two seasons and reached a career milestone with her 100th career point in the Rams’ 5-2 win over Greenwich on Saturday. New Canaan is again deep, and Harden, a three-time CHSGHA all-state player, is the top offensive weapon. Shelby Little, Sr., D, Avon co-op: Little has been one of the state’s best defenders during her high school career and returns to lead an Avon team which should be in contention for the CCC crown this winter. She’s earned CHSGHA All-State honors in each of the past two seasons.
Tess Marciano, Sr., D, Greenwich:
An impact player since her freshman year, Marciano will again be a leader of the Cardinals’ defense, as the team transitions to its new head coach Broke Heron. Bridget McGann, Sr., F, Hall/Conard: The senior forward had a big year for the Hall/Conard co-op last winter, and earned a place on the CHSGHA All-State team and the GameTimeCT all-state second team. She’ll again be a key for Hall/ Conard as it looks to move up the CCC ranks.
Mary McKiernan, Sr., D, ETB:
McKiernan is the rock of the ETB defense and has a scoring touch as well, collecting 10 goals in 15 games last winter, and 33 for her career. The Storm blue line is experienced with McKiernan, a GameTimeCT all-state first team and CHSGHA all-state player, as the leader.
Ceci Stein, D, Sr., Darien:
Stein is a four-year standout for the Blue Wave and will anchor the defense, while also providing some offense from the back line.
Lexie Tully, Soph., D, New Canaan:
Tully burst onto the scene as a freshman and became one of the Rams’ top defenders. With the graduation of four-year players McKenna Harden on defense, and Blythe Novick in goal, Tully will take on an even bigger role this winter.