HCS Field Hockey Reloads & Ready for Season

RFH 2010, Featured Articles, HCS Field Hockey

Tue, Aug 30, 2011

With the 2011 field hockey season about to begin, Coach Karrie King gets her squad ready to play.

HCS Field Hockey Reloads & Ready for Season

The HCS field hockey team had one of its best seasons in recent memory in 2010, posting an 8-6-1 record and making it to the sectionals.

But, many of the girls who helped make that possible are gone, graduating and leaving some gaps in Coach Karrie King's lineup. King lost seven seniors to graduation, including a solid goalie and the entire forward line.

However, a new year brings new faces, and King is optimistic that HCS will remain competitive in the always-tough Center State Conference.

King's squad gets started next week with a pair of home games. The Lady Emerald Knights play:

Mount Markham at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7
and Morrisville-Eaton at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9.

We asked King about the season about to begin.

What was your record last year and how did you do in the post-season 8-6-1 last season We lost in the first round of sectionals last season.

How does this year's team compare to last year squad and what is your overall outlook for 2010? This year's team has a lot of speed on the front line, but they need to develop their stick skills like last year's front line. Our two young goalies will have to work hard to do what Megan VanAuken has done in years past.

Who did you lose to graduation this past June and what -- if any -- hole do they leave in your lineup?

Jenna Schell
Liz Pils
Megan VanAuken
Nicolle Holcomb
Tara Rebuck
Brook Furner
Sara Whyatt

They leave the goal empty; most of the forward line and two extremely talented midfielders and defense players.

Who do you have returning from last year's team (including positions, year in school, etc.) and what do you expect of them this year? Any playing new positions?

Jess Welsh, grade 9, forward;
Marissa Sitts, grade 12, defense;
Allie Roach, grade 12, defense;
Hannah Freeman, grade 12, defense;
Josephine Jimenez, grade 11, defense;
Maddie Lemal-Brown, grade 10, forward;
Meghan Holcomb, grade 10, midfield;
Coral Dennis, grade 10, forward/midfield;

Most of them will be starters this year so they need to step up their level of play.

Who -- if anyone -- will be new to your starting lineup this season; positions and a little bit about each player?

Halley McArn-forward-very fast and her stick skills are very good for being so young.
Helen Judge-forward-extremely fast
Bailey Sullivan-part time goalie-will be playing defense and goalie
Breanna Randall -goalie-very determined

What are the team's strengths?

Very fast and they all love the game of field hockey so much that is shows through everything they do.

Weaknesses?

Many new players-very young and inexperienced team.

What are the three most important things you and the team will have to do this season to make it into the sectionals and contend for a sectional title?