The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Local teams back in action for 2018
Camden, Cazenovia, Canastota, and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill looking to beat previous records .
Camden field hockey was the last team standing in Section III Class B play in 2017 after a 2-0 title victory over Easy Syracuse Minoa.
Entering the 2018 season under the guidance of 18th year head coach Shannon McPheron, the Blue Devils figure to be one of the top teams in the area this year.
Mercedes Currie, Delaney Alberico, and Delainey Hebble give McPheron a formidable trio of all-state players back for another campaign following a 15-4 run in 2017, and newcomer Chloe Hite could contribute in big ways for the Blue Devils.
Despite their recent run of success, Camden’s goals for the season focus on the short term.
“Play together as a team, and to keep the lines of communication open,” McPheron said of the goals in Camden.
Like Camden, Cazenovia is another field hockey powerhouse in Section III competition, and this season, the Lakers hit the field with their eyes on a section title after being ousted in Class C semifinals last year as the No. 1 seed.
As with the past 18 seasons, the Lakers will be led by head coach Lorraine Sheftic. The 19year Laker coach welcomes back senior goalie and Onondaga High School League American firstteam all-star Shea Flannery. Junior second-team all-star Ava Hartley returns to the Laker defense, as do senior honorablemention all-star Kathyrn Kielbasinski and senior Mackenzie Yates. Se-
nior second-team all-star Katie Ammann returns to the Cazenovia attack along with junior CavyMonahan.
Sophmore Carley Loundsbury, sophomore Kiara Dolan, and junior Peyton Basic are expected to assume larger roles for the Lakers in the midfield.
“Be competitive in our league and our Class C, [while] striving for a sectional title,” Sheftic said of her squad’s 2018 goals.
Back in action after its second straight Center State ConferenceWest champion- ship, Canastota is working hard toward a three-peat and a deep postseason run.
“As a team, the girls are pushing for their third league Championship in just as many years as well as a long run in sectional,” third-year head coach Danielle Birckhead said.
Center State Conference West first-teamall-star Jessica Evans, second-teamallstars Julia Vaccaro and Leanne Hannan, and honorable mention all-stars Loryn Wilcox and Rebecca Popple are back for the Raiders. Kara Hyde is another key returner for Canastota, and Maddy Milligan, Hayley Patane, and Carly Cashel are all expected to take on bigger roles in 2018.
After a 4-10-2 finish in 2017, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill returns to Section III Class C play with fourthyear head coach Kevin Zito at the helm of the program.
“Win the class C championship,” Zito said of the goals for the upcoming season.
Shelby Freeman, a TVL all-star in 2017, Sara Brown, Natalie Estrella, and Micheala Johnson will reprise their roles from a season ago, while the Red Devils will welcome a new face between the pipes in firstyear varsity keeper Kelsey Wickham.