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FIELD HOCKEY: Area season previews


Shippensburg Greyhounds

Coach: Angela Hostetter, first season.

Last year: 13-6 (6-2 Mid Penn Colonial Division); lost 1-0 to Elizabethtown in the first round of the District 3-AAA playoffs.

Returning starters: Madison Kline (jr., F, P.O. second team all-star), Desiree Neil (so., goalie), Morgan Fetter (so., mid).

Other top players: Taylor Frohm (sr., def), Madchen Orseno (sr., def), Shelby Rowles (sr., def), Kaitlyn Bowermaster (sr., def), Olivia Gutshall (sr., def), Zoe Holtry (fr., for), Lexi Alleman (fr., for), Rachel Kline (fr., mid),

Outlook: Hostetter said, "We have a young team, but our goal is to make the playoffs. We need to get a bit faster and have more stamina, but we have a great group of girls. They are all happy to be here, and they do whatever I ask."

Notes: This is Hostetter's first coaching experience ... She played for the Chambersburg field hockey team in high school and was also a PIAA official ... Ship's only two losses in the division last year came from Boiling Springs.

Season opener: Sept. 10, home vs. Greencastle-Antrim, 4.

Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils

Coach: Becca Farson, second season.

Last year: 6-12 (3-5 Mid Penn Colonial Divison).

Returning starters: Mackenzie Oberholzer (jr., goalie), Deirdre Conway (sr., def), Jenna Carty (jr., def), Skylar Sites (jr., mid/def), Emily Bland (sr., mid/def), Morgan Clopper (jr., mid/def), Jean Hart (jr., mid), Alexis Sibbio (jr., mid), Rachel Marconi (jr., for) Lauren Cole (jr., for), Sabrina Martin (sr., for).

Other top players: Logan Yaukey (so., mid/def), Sydney Robertson (so., mid), Bryanna Conway (so., for).

Outlook: "I really think that we have the ability to compete for the division title," Farson said. "We have to compete with Boiling Springs, which is good every year, but I think we can play with them. We also want to make districts."

Notes: Greencastle will return all of its starters from last season, and Farson plans to use most of her players to keep the team fresh throughout the season ... The Blue Devils were 0-4 against Shippensburg and Boiling Springs in the division last season, but 3-1 against everyone else.

Season opener: Friday, home vs. Chambersburg, 4.

Waynesboro Maidens

Coach: Kelly Rock, third season, 8-23-4 (.286).

Last year: 3-12-2 (2-6 Mid Penn Colonial Division).

Returning starters: Katie Wise (jr., for), Sara Gsell (jr., for), Ana Cuka (jr., mid), Jenna Huckle (sr., def).

Other top players: Alyson Klink (jr., mid), Valencia Florek (so., mid), Caitlyn Pollock (so., for), Kaylee Warrenfeltz (so., def).

Outlook: "We've been working hard, and the girls are showing some good things," Rock said. "Overall, I think there are only a couple things we need to work on, but the biggest thing is getting work on our turf. We've been practicing on grass all summer, so it's going to be a big adjustment once we're allowed on the new field."

Notes: The Maidens have just two seniors on their roster, but boast nine juniors ... Their only two wins in the division last year came against Big Spring.

Season opener: Sept. 10, home vs. Boiling Springs, 4.

Forbes Road Cardinals

Coach: Carol Cline, 38th season., 424-175-52 (.691).

Last year: 15-4 (9-0 Keystone League); lost to Oley Valley in PIAA Class AA quarterfinals.

Returning starters: Brittany Truax (sr., for, P.O. first team all-star), Malea Truax (sr., for), Kiersten Cline (sr., mid), Lydia Chagoya (sr., def), Montana Bolinger (sr., def), Mina Wilt (sr., back/mid), Kristina Parsons (jr., mid), McKenzie Gelvin (jr., for), Maiah Mellott (jr., mid), Olivia Hall (jr., goalie), Lilly Wilt (jr., def.).

Other top players: Madeline Miller (so., mid/def), Mara Broadwater (fr., for), Brianna Waters (fr. def/mid).

Outlook: "My expectations are always high," Cline said. "We have a lot of experience back and we have a lot of girls back who are ready to give it their all. I love to watch these girls play, and I get so much excitement out of it."

Notes: Several key players are returning after missing much of last season ... Malea Truax is back after suffering a leg injury, and Cline is back after playing in only a handful of games at the end of the season ... Brittany Truax led the Cardinals with 20 goals last season, and McKenzie Gelvin had 14 goals and 10 assists ... The Cardinals have six seniors.

Season opener: Tuesday at Greencastle-Antrim, 4.

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