The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery 2022 Field Hockey Preview

The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media area field hockey teams are ready to take the field and follow up a successful 2021 season.

In the Suburban One League Colonial Division, Souderton went a perfect 16-0 in league play while Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South and North Penn battled it out for second place. All four teams won at least one District 1-3A playoff game and Souderton advanced to the state tournament. CB East lost a large senior class while Souderton graduated star midfielder Lauren Kenah.

In the SOL Liberty Division, Wissahickon went 16-0 and returns first team All-League selection Ella Hummel and second teamers Sophia Havrilla and Caroline Kirkpatrick. Plymouth Whitemarsh wasn’t far behind at 12-3-1 and Abington finished 10-6. Wissahickon earned a first-round bye in the district Playoffs and won a game, but did not qualify for states.

Springfield Montco finished two games behind New Hope-Solebury in the SOL Freedom Division. The Spartans, who reached the D1-2A semifinals, had three underclassmen earn All-League honors. Defender Hailey Lesniak and midfielder Emma Yoder were first-team selections. Upper Moreland won four more games in 2021 than it did in 2020.

Methacton is coming off a strong season with a 12-1 record in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. The Warriors reached the D1-3A semifinals and qualified for states, losing by one goal to eventual Champion Emmaus. Upper Merion qualified for the D1-2A playoffs, but lost a large senior class and will have freshmen stepping into key roles.

Methacton’s Elise DeWan makes a pass against Emmaus on Saturday in a PIAA Class 3A playoff game at Exeter. (Owen McCue – MediaNews Group)

In the Bicentennial Athletic League, Dock Mennonite Academy is coming off a D1-A Championship game appearance and a PIAA-A state playoff win. The Defending BAL Champs return everyone from last season’s team. This will be the first season for Faith Christian Academy’s field hockey program.

Dock’s Olivia Zaskoda inserts a penalty corner against Jenkintown. (Ed Morlock/MediaNews Group)

Gwynedd Mercy Academy was the most successful team in the area last season. The Monarchs won the District 1-2A Championship and reached the PIAA-2A state final. GMA always fields a strong team, but needs to replace the programs most prolific scorer Alaina McVeigh, who is now at Duke University.

Germantown Academy finished over .500 in the Inter-Ac last season at 5-4-1. The Patriots bring back nine key players as they look to take a step forward this fall.

Central Bucks East

Head Coach: Emma Rosenthal (2nd year)

Last year: 13-5, 12-4 SOL Colonial, District 1-3A second round

Notable losses: Sophia Parker, Paige Hussie, Olivia Nolan, Kiera Lamb, Grace Gidwani

Key Returners: Ally Cenci, Paige Keller, Alli Troth, Caroline Suko, Anna Daly, Sienna Valenti, Amelia Wheelan

Season Outlook: We graduated a large and impactful senior class last season, and now with a Younger team, we need to fill some of those spots. In such a tough league, every single game is extremely competitive. Were looking to hit the ground running and take on the season one game at a time.

Dock Mennonite Academy

Head Coach: Michelle Waldspurger (12th year)

Last year: District 1-A finalist, PIAA-A quarterfinalist

Notable losses: Lydia Longacre

Key Returners: Celeste Derstine, Ainsley Moyer, Sarah Curry, Olivia Zaskoda, Trinity Landis, Tiffany Oponski, Erin Miles, Haley Harper

Season Outlook: Super excited about the upcoming season as we return everyone from last years Squad and we won the league as well as went to second round of states – looking for this senior team to step it up big in big games and lead this team even farther than last year – we all get along well and are friends on and off the field – just looking to continue to push for success as the program has great numbers this year and great leadership.

Germantown Academy

Head Coach: Jackie Connard (9th year)

Last year: 7-14-2, 5-4-1 Inter-Ac

Notable losses: Sydney Cameron, Brianne OHara

Key Returners: Gracen Brant, Claire McMichael, Caitlin Lozano, Olivia Krey, Hadley Harbert

Season Outlook: After a hard season last year re-adjusting to a full schedule after the pandemic, the team is extremely motivated and has been working hard in the off-season to prepare this fall. We are returning a strong core of 9 varsity starters and supporting players who are eager to improve on last years record.

North Penn

Head Coach: Shannon McCracken (11th year)

Last year: 13-6-1, 10-5-1 SOL Continental, District 1-3A second round

Notable losses: Bay Detweiler, Linsey Gilbert, Erin O’Donnell, Madison Waldspurger

Key Returners: Kiera Holt, Catherine McGeehan, Annabelle Smink, Melissa Sessler, Caleigh Sperling

Season Outlook: I am very excited about our varsity squad this season as they are focused, excited, and committed to the process of developing and growing as a team. We look forward to competing in our always challenging division and have our sights on returning to district play.

Methacton

Head Coach: Amanda Parrezzi (4th year)

Last year: 18-6, 12-1 PAC, District 1-3A semifinalist, PIAA-3A state quarterfinalist

Notable losses: Elena Snodgrass, Jess Serafin, Kristen Riddell, Madison Noh, Bayla Plower, Gaby DiPrinzio

Key Returners: Elise DeWan, Nicole Uebele, Lily DeWan, Renee Blake, Carmela Maro

Season Outlook: Not only does the coaching staff have high expectations for the team this year, but the players are entering the season with the same mindset. Returning players are hoping to build upon the performance the team had last year. The turn out for summer workouts was the best it’s been in the past four years. Although the team may have some younger players, the experience, leadership, and determination of the returning players will play a huge role in the success of the team.

Upper Merion

Head Coach: Angie Yanocha (17th year)

Last year: 8-10, District 1-2A Qualifier

Notable losses: Lost 8 Seniors from 2021 season

Key Returners: Rylie McGrath, Ashley Evitts, Julianna Callison, Reese Doan, Marianna Groff, Michele Maas, Elle Menke, Becca Shuler

Season Outlook: We have a small team with a very interesting dynamic this year. We have a solid group of returning players with great team chemistry, but will have to rely on some incoming freshman to fill in the voids of some positions including goalie due to Seniors lost from last season. It’s a very hard-working, energetic group that looks forward to what this season has to bring.

Upper Moreland

Head Coach: Marissa Elizardo (2nd year)

Last year: 4-14, 3-13 SOL Freedom

Notable losses: Cayden Weist, Anna Duncan, Taylor Boone, Mallory Seider, Emma Hurley

Key Returners: Jenna Piantieri, Alexa Marczak, Haleigh Woodman, Liz Santry, Cambrie Richmond

Season Outlook: We lost a handful of crucial players to graduation. We are looking for some of our younger players to step up and fill those gaps. Many of our returning players will find themselves in new positions and roles this year. Our success will depend upon how quickly we can adapt to these new roles and come together as a team. The players came into preseason in shape and ready to work hard.

Wissahickon

Head Coach: Lucy Gil (17th year)

Last year: 18-4, 10-0 SOL Liberty, District 1-3A quarterfinals

Notable losses: Brynne Miller, Julia Schools, Alli Wood

Key Returners: Sophia Havrilla, Ella Hummel, Caroline Kirkpatrick, Faith Jampo, Riley Ball

Season Outlook: The team looks strong, and although there were major losses to graduation, they have been working hard in the offseason. They should be contenders for the league championship as well as placing in the district tournament. The dream is to reach the state tournament this year!