FIELD HOCKEY PREVIEW

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Fallyn Belisle, Valley Regional, goalie, Sr.: Led team to a 15-0-1 regular season record last season with 10 shutouts and eight goals allowed. Valley was top seed in CIAC Class S tournament and advanced to the quarterfinals where they lost 2-1 in double overtime.

Kaci Benoit, Darien, defender, Sr.: Had seven goals and five assists last season, leading team to 20-1-0-1 record and FCIAC tournament title. Blue Wave defense allowed only eight goals in 22 games. CHSCA All-State, two-time AllFCIAC and MVP. Will play lacrosse at Syracuse.

Fran Caley, Granby, Sr. forward: A leading scorer and playmaker who is quick. Has good hand-eye coordination with her dribbling and passing. She can move the ball well with other teammates. A communicator on the field. Led Granby to the 2021 Class S semifinal where it lost 3-2 to eventual champion North Branford.

Maddie Campbell, Conard, defender, Sr.: The returning center back leads a solid defensive unit. CHSCA All-state selection last year and is a captain this season.

Charlotte Casiraghi, Wilton, defender-midfielder, Sr.: Had four goals and two assists, including the winning shootout goal after double OT against Darien in the CIAC Class L semifinals. Led Wilton to a 9-4-4 record. Two-time All-FCIAC, twotime CHSCA All-State, GameTimeCT All-State. Will play field hockey at Harvard.

Ella Clarke, Guilford, forward, Sr.: Third in SCC scoring last season with 15 goals, 13 assists. Led Grizzlies (22-1, 12-0 SCC in 2021) to the

SCC tournament championship and third straight CIAC Class M championship. Team captain, All-SCC, CHSCA All-State, New Haven Register All-Area.

Scout Climie, Guilford, defender, Sr.: Third-year starter on defense who helped limit shots on goal and led Grizzlies to a third straight Class M title. Team captain, second team SCC.

Keana Criscuolo, North Branford, forward, Jr.: A three-sport standout at North Branford, she contributes as a scorer and playmaker. Helped lead the Thunderbirds to the Class S and Shoreline Conference tournament titles last season.

Scout Engstrom, Branford, forward, Sr.: Had eight goals and eight assists, CHSCA All-State, All-SCC, Register All-Area. Coach Pete Frye believes she is one of two girls on his team who will be among the league challengers for SCC player of the year. Led the Hornets to a 12-6-0-1 record

Sophia Fidalgo-Schioppa, Staples, midfield, So.: Contributes as a scorer and excels at distributing the ball. Led the Wreckers to a 12-2-1 regular season record. Member of U.S. Under-16 National Team.

Kaelyn Fogelson, Norwalk, forward, So.: A starter since her freshman season, she led her team with 16 goals last season. CHSCA All-State, All-FCIAC.

Ellie Goldstein, Hall, Midfieldforward, Jr.: She had 36 goals and was the top scorer in Class L. CHSCA All State, All CCC.

Ryan Hapgood, Darien, forward, Sr.: Team's top scorer last season with 28 goals and two assists, CHSCA All-State, committed to play lacrosse at Dartmouth.

Addison Infante, Glastonbury, midfield, So: Started all 18 games last year as a freshman with one goal and five assists. She has strong individual skills, field sense, vision and is one of the team's top passers. Coach Maureen Perkins said she makes everyone around her elevate their game.

Raina Johns, Darien, defender, Sr.: The offensive-minded defender had 14 goals and 11 assists. Led the Blue Wave to a 22-2 record and the FCIAC tournament championship. Three-time All FCIAC, three-time CHSCA All-State. Committed to play at Dartmouth.

Lauren Kendrick, Branford, forward, Sr.: Had seven goals and five assists in 2021 and is expected to increase those stats in 2022. Second team CHSCA All-State, first team All-SCC. Coach Pete Frye believes she is one of two girls on his team who will be among the league challengers for SCC player of the year.

Sara Klosowski, Ridgefield, defender, Sr.: One of the most experienced defenders (sweeper) in the FCIAC as a third-year varsity player. Helped lead the Tigers to a 12-3-1 regular season record last season.

Grace Kociszewski, Thomaston, forward, Jr.: The team captain could enter this season under the radar finishing last season as an honorable mention in the Berkshire League. Coach John Long said she had a breakout season as a sophomore with 11 goals and 10 assists and she should increase those stats in 2022. Helped lead her team to its third straight Berkshire League title last season.

Klara Mueffelman, Greenwich, forward, Sr.: Coach Megan Wax said she has extremely high level stick skills and game IQ. “She is quick, feisty and always finds a way to get to goal.” Last season had 15 goals, three assists, and 14 caused offensive corners. Committed to play at Boston College.

Emma Nahon, Staples, defender, Sr.: Nahon provides depth on the defensive end of the field. She will play field hockey at the University of Pennsylvania.

Addison O'Connell, Hall, goalie, Sr.: Had 93 saves last season and has committed to play at Salisbury University, All-CCC.

Lindsey Onofrio, North Branford, defender, Jr.: The center halfback controls the defensive side of the field and is one reason the Thunderbirds only allowed 15 goals in 22 games. Led North Branford to the Shoreline Conference tournament championship, Class S championship, 18-2-2 overall record and 9-1-2 Shoreline Conference record, All-Shoreline Conference, CHSCA All-State, New Haven Register All-Area.

Polly Parsons-Hills, New Canaan, midfield, Sr.: Had 12 goals and 24 assists to lead the Rams to the Class L championship and 22-1 record. All-FCIAC, CHSCA All-State. Will play field hockey at Cornell.

Payton Root, Guilford, midfield, Jr.: Had nine goals and eight assists last season. Will take over GameTimeCT All-State MVP Maddie Epke's center-mid position.

Isabella Tuccio, Ridgefield, midfield, Sr.: Third year varsity player, committed to play at Bentley College. Returning player in midfield.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Very early peek at the postseason: Class L should continue to be dominated by the FCIAC. Last season's Class L champ New Canaan snapped Staples' string of four straight Class L titles. New Canaan, last season's runner-up Wilton, Darien and Staples have talented, experienced players that make them tough to beat in 2022.

Three-time defending Class M champion Guilford will miss some key players including it's Swiss army knife and GameTimeCT All-State MVP Maddie Epke to graduation. Epke contrbuted in just about every phase of the game. But the Grizzlies return many of its players with championship game experience, including the three girls mentioned above.

“We will not only miss Maddie, but midfielder Allie Petonito and goalie Julia McDonald, who's playing at Washington and Lee,” Guilford coach Kitty Palmer said. “This senior class has had success dating back to their freshman year. We're hoping that their familiarity together will transfer to good play throughout the season.”

In Class S, North Branford won its second championship in the last four years last season. Like Guillford, the Thunderbirds lost their standout player Olivia Toto to graduation, but they also return six key players and should make another deep post-season run. Valley Regional returns its standout goalie Fallyn Belisle and should challenge the Thunderirds along with Granby and Stonington.