Plenty of talent returning for prep schools
There are a few new faces in the prep ranks as Geoffrey Chrisman takes over at Hun, Kristin McCarthy will handle the coaching duties at Pennington, Paige Meszaros will be calling the shots at Stuart and the defending Mercer County Tournament Champion Lawrenceville will welcome Lindsay Mulhern as coach.
Princeton Day is now a member of the Colonial Valley Conference, although it will still have a fair amount of games with their old rivals.
There is something positive about every team as Hun has some very talented players returning, Lawrenceville is always a contender, Ped- die has grown each year and looks ready to take another step this spring, Pennington has a lot of players with talent and Stuart is going to be a very offensive-minded team.
It should be another banner year for the prep schools.
Hun
Coach: Geoffrey Chrisman (1st season) Assistant Coaches: Connor Langdon, Brittany Sheehan, Jen Stone
2023 Record: 9-6
Roster: Alli Chirik (Fr., D), Vivian Zhang (Sr., A), Gabriella Peek (Fr., D), Sydney Herriott (Fr, M), Keaton Vales (So., M), Mandy Haley (Fr., D), Dana Trotta (Jr., D), Little Chen (Fr., M), Aspen Swanson (So., A), Natalie Preseeler (So., A), Caitlin Yadao (Fr., A), Savannah King (Fr, M), Maddie Thomas (Fr., M), Kaia Diaz (Sr., D), Ally Heaphy (So., A), Norah Kempson (Sr., D), Emma Stowe (So., M), Ava Olender (Sr., M), Madison Poe (Jr., M), Maya Klemm (Sr., D), Katie Borgstrom (Sr., A), Emma Stahl (Fr., D), Phoebe April (So., A), Naqvi Aiza (So., D), Lizzie Dougherty (So., A), Zoe Kydonieus (Fr., G), Arielle Knapik (So, M), Sam Raics (Jr., A), Helena Betru (Fr., A), Olivia Kim (Sr., A), Addison Caulfield (So., A), Lauren Larkin (Sr., D), AJ Robbins (Jr., A), Noor BenMoussa (Jr., M), Zoey Palmer (Sr., M), Zoey Palmer (Sr., M), Cecelia Shen (Fr., M), Nicole Mayo (So., M). Outlook: Chrisman is looking to bring a new culture to the Raiders based on responsibility, accountability initiative and determination. The team had a strong offseason. There is a strong core of seniors with experience and a very talented group of underclassmen who are learning how to play like a team and push through together. The captains will be Olivia Kim, Ava Olender, and Kaia Diaz and they have taken a strong leadership role.
Lawrenceville
Coach: Lindsay Mulhern (1st season) Assistant Coaches: Liz Cook, Maddi Blauth, Emilie Kosoff
2023 Record: 14-6; MCT champion; MAPL Champion, Prep A finalist
Roster: America Jerge (Sr., M), Audrey Shueh (Fr., M), Arden Chang (Fr., M), Joey Vermut (Jr., D), Dani Caldwell (Fr., M), Hayla Dora (Sr., D), Maureen Healy (Fr., D), Anna Hoover (Sr., M), Chloe Babich (Sr., M), Campbell Abbott (Jr., D), Alaina Crichton (Sr., D), Lexie Koch (Jr., M), Maddie Brogan (Sr., A), Amelie Deng (Sr., A), Kate Morey (Sr., A), Ellie Duffy (So., D), Emily Kumar (So., D), Eloise Galante (Jr., A), Mia Kincade (Jr., M), Mira Trappe (So., G), Ava Moses (So., M), Grace Gengenbach (Jr., A), Megan Widlar (So., D), Malia Zovich (Sr., G). Outlook: The Big Red returns a solid core that will be looking to keep them among the best in the state, county and the conference. They welcome Lindsay Mulhern as the new coach and she will be aided by a very gifted group of assists coaches. It’s expected the Big Red will not skip a beat this season.
Peddie
Coach: Meredith Locasto (4th season) Assistant Coach: Amanda Vos Stratche 2023 Record: 11-8
Roster: Emily Davis (Sr., D), Grace Giblin (Sr., M), Marcela Nearing (Sr., M), Maggie Blakely (Jr., A), Sophie Botwood (Jr., A), Danae Carvajal (Jr., D), Molly McClellan (Jr., A), Veronica Tonelli (Jr., D), Lucy Guarini (So., A), Elizabeth Libby Dubrule (So., D), Mya Griffith (So., M), Natalie Muenzen (So., M), Anna Treese (So., M), Junie Kim (So., A), Katherine Baker (Fr., A), Lexie Hoffman (Fr., M), Mikala Kuser (Fr., G), Kohana Koko Brown (Jr., A), Amanda Harmon (Jr, A), Emily Huang (So., M).
Outlook: The Falcons showed a lot of growth in 2023 and will be looking to continue it this season. They have several key returning players that will provide leadership and guidance on the field. This will be a team that will be competitive in the MAPL, the state and a welcomed addition to the county tournament. Over the last three year the Falcons have shown to be an ever contending team.
Pennington
Coach: Kristin McCarthy (1st season) Assistant Coaches: Markie Watson, Elysia Price
2023 Record: 13-4; MCI finalist
Roster: Bella Murray (Fr., A), Evie Argiropoulos (So., A), Myla Tudor (So., A), Grace Craig (So, A), Natalie Moschler (So., A), Michaela McCragg (Jr., A), Hailey Adamsky (Sr., M/A), Ava Burns Jr., M/A), Ava Surtz (Sr., M/A), Olivia Davis (Sr., M/D), Devan Trendi (Jr., M), Sara Surtz (Fr., M), Charlotte Sweetman (Fr., M), Mackenzie Kotch (Sr., D), Norah Youngblood (So., D), Izzy Augustine (Jr., D), Lina Cortes (So., D), Olivia Craig (So., D), Emma Goodrich (So., D), Caroline Sirolly (So., G), Mandy Cordone (So., G).
Outlook: McCarthy takes over the program and although there are some very talented players returning there will be an adjustment period. It will be a young group of Red Hawks as many freshman and sophomores are on the roster. The future is looki9ng good with so many young players and the veterans are excited to lay the groundwork for the future. It should be an exciting season in Pennington.
Stuart
Coach: Paige Meszaros (1st season) Assistant Coaches: Mark Maser, Missy Bruvik
2023 record: 5-10
Roster: Hadassah Broughton (Fr., M), Seneca Coleman (Fr., A), Marlie Conway (Fr., D), Lauren Lee (Fr., M), Abigail McKee (Fr., D), Claire McLaughlin (Fr., M), Elizabeth Murphy (Fr., M), Madeline Razler (Fr., M), Brie Starghill (Fr., D), Celia Struve-Altuve (Fr., D), Maeve Wall (Fr., D), Jusan Williams (Fr., A), Abigail Chink (So., M), Rhea Jain (So., A), Najma Tahiry (So., A), Maya Dev (Jr., G), Sophia Feng (Jr., A), Emily Harlan (Jr., A), Elise Hwang (Jr., A), Aryianna Johnson (Jr., D), Allison Lee (Jr., M), Harsimer Kaur (Sr., A), Alexandra Mandzij (Sr., G), Eva Nester (Sr., D).
Outlook: There are several key returners for the Tartans as they welcome new coach Paige Meszaros. Allison Lee, who had 100 goals leads the group of returners. The veterans will be leading the way by example and getting things pointed in the right direction. It has been a hard-working group that has been bolstered by a strong group of newcomers. Should be an improved team.