The new field lights at High School South will shine on another sport for the first time as field hockey takes center stage. On Monday, September 24, South hosts North in a matchup scheduled for 6 p.m.
North
At High School North, head coach Shannon Maruca expects her championship-contending team to keep its usual form as it goes through a mini-rebuild with some new players on offense.
North’s leading goal scorer this season could be sophomore attack player Catherine Mak.
“She’s good in front of the goal, she moves the ball with speed, very aggressive player. She was a standout on a very good freshman team last year, and through three games this season she has three goals and an assist. Mak makes plays happen, and she’s a positive player,” Maruca said.
Returning seniors for North include captain Morgan Francis on attack, the Barnett twins, Zoey and Mika (another captain), and Jeanine Lennon, who also plays attack.
The most vocal senior on the field is captain and midfielder Kayla Foster. Maruca says Foster does a great job as the leader of the Lady Knights, playing a crucial role as one of the main distributors of the ball.
This season Maruca expects a big contribution from Olivia Harpel, a junior who plays midfield. “Olivia is an exteremely talented field hockety player, very fast and able to use her speed to set up our offense and move the ball,” her coach said.
In their first game the Lady Knights earned a big win as they beat Robbinsville 2-1 after losing to them the previous two seasons. The good start carried over to North’s second game, a 3-1 win over Lawrence on September 11, but the Lady Knights suffered a bitter defeat two days later as Ewing beat North for the first time ever, 2-0.
“I think that game will serve as a real wake-up call for us. We just sat back. I don’t think we were expecting to see that kind of performance from them,” Maruca said.
Maruca has had to use a makeshift roster early this season. She pulled one of her players from the offensive line — Christina Hayduchok — and gave her the starting goalie role. Hayduchok, a sophomore, had filled in at goal last year, when she played in one of North’s last state playoff games and had 16 saves. Maruca credits Hayduchok for stepping in and using her athleticism to keep the defense strong.
South
Most of High School South’s field hockey team is returning from last season, and head coach Christine Cabarle says experience is the team’s strength.
“We only have a few girls who have never seen varsity time. This senior class has been the most dedicated to our program since they were freshmen. They are very hungry to succeed, and I am looking forward to seeing what they can do with that desire,” Cabarle said.
Emily Kramer has been South’s starting goalie since her sophomore year. Kramer is now a senior, and Cabarle says leadership “has to start with her in goal.”
Senior Ashley Hasling, a defender who has been starting for South since she was a freshman, is a vocal player who “talks all the time” on the field, doing an exceptional job of directing her teammates, Cabarle says.
Next to Hasling, Cabarle said senior Lexi Bruno and junior Dana Salerno will also play important roles in the backfield. Sophomores Rachel Salerno and Carolyn Lappeito are younger players Cabarle expects to step up this season. South’s forwards include senior Alison Aimers and juniors Sarah Klieger and Samantha McCormick.
Though Cabarle says South is a well-balanced team, midfield is the likely the the team’s best weapon. Adding to the Pirates’ collection of talents is senior Colby Hussong, who comes to WW-P after transferring from Hopewell Valley. She will head to Miami University in Ohio in 2013 to play collegiate field hockey.
Cabarle notes that Hussong is the daughter of her own college field hockey coaches, Lori and Dan Hussong.
“It is very special to have the opportunity to coach her. When I was in college she was about 5 years old, and she would sit with me on the bus as we watched movies on our trips to away games,” Cabarle says.
Coach Cabarle is looking to new additions to control the tempo of the Pirates’ games and generate scoring opportunities. She says that will allow Kate McCormick and Cassie Perez to use their fitness and skill to keep the ball above the 50.
“Offensively, Yunah Park is working as hard as humanly possibly to ensure we keep the ball in the offensive circle. And Samantha McCormick, Rachael Salerno, and Hussong will use their stick skills and speed to score,” Cabarle said.
