Hopewell Valley Central High School field hockey player Dori Auslander eludes a defender Oct. 9, 2013 at Robbinsville High School. HVCHS lost, 2-1. (Photo by Mark Wetherbee, Jr.)
Hopewell Valley’s Maggie Mezynski dribbles the ball during the Oct. 9, 2013 game at Robbinsville High School. Robbinsville won, 2-1. (Photo by Mark Wetherbee, Jr.)
By Christopher Molicki
A team is only as good as the sum of its parts, but when the parts fit together well, as with the Hopewell Valley Central High School field hockey team, the result is plenty of wins.
The Bulldogs are 10-2, and have received contributions from many different players that head coach Pam Edwards finds it difficult to say who has been most impressive. That is a problem she’s happy to have.
“We’ve had so many kids step up at different times,” Edwards said. “I can’t really dig out just one kid. They’re such a strong unit.”
While it’s tough to pinpoint the most valuable player, one can start by looking at senior leaders Laura Niederer and Erin Amantia. The two lead the team in goals and assists, combining for 17 goals and 16 assists.
“Erin and Laura are just a great one-two punch,” Edwards said. “Laura has very strong, powerful shots. Erin is very smooth on offense and on defense. They really, together, make a great combination. Whether it be on the center of the field (or) on the right side of the field, they just work really well together and help feed the ball to other people.”
The balance the two captains have given the team comes from years of building chemistry with one another. Niederer and Armantia have been playing together since 8th grade. Through the years, they’ve been able to excel at complementing each other.
“Communication is really key in field hockey (and) knowing where people are,” Niederer said. “It’s important for her to take hits in the circle, so I can be on pads and get the ball in. I think that’s what we’ve been doing.”
It’s easy to highlight offensive success, but it’s important not to overlook arguably the most crucial position in field hockey: the goalkeeper. Sophomore Sabrina Gomez, who has been a force in the net—especially at such a young age—occupies that spot.
Gomez has racked up 23 saves with the team recording seven shutouts in their 10 wins, both remarkable numbers. For Gomez, being young on this team hasn’t added any pressure.
“I have so much support from my teammates and they’re all there for me,” she said. “To me, it feels like I’ve been on this team forever.”
Edwards said Gomez has shown growth over the season.
“She’s gained a lot of confidence. Her teammates have really embraced her as well,” Edwards said. “These upperclassmen are great, everyone is treated equally.”
Gomez has gotten a lot of help from the defense in front of her. While they may go unnoticed in the box score, they’re making plays on the field.
Key defenders include seniors Kara Hageman and Annette Von Jaglinsky and junior Katherine Kent.
“My defense has been phenomenal,” Gomez said. “Throughout the games I’ve played, I think we’ve only let five goals go through. That’s amazing. They make my job easier because they keep the offense out so much.”
For a team to break through and truly become elite, there needs to be a wild card. Enter sophomore Maggie Mezynski, who was recently promoted from the junior varsity squad and has taken opponents by storm, scoring eight goals in only six games.
“She has great speed and she’s learning a lot,” Edwards said. “The upperclassmen have really embraced her. She’s just willing to learn and do whatever she can to help her teammates out.”
The regular season is still not over, but the postseason, something the team is certainly chomping at the bit for, is approaching.
There may be some tough teams on the horizon for Hopewell Valley, but the truth is, their team is pretty good too. And the sum of their parts makes them as deadly as anyone.
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