Best in their field: Top 43 high school field hockey players in Bucks County area this fall

The fall season is underway and that means a new crop of ultra-talented players who are at the top of their games.

These field hockey players stand out from the crowd, whether they're scoring superstars, defensive stalwarts or lockdown goalies. Here are some of the region's top players entering the 2023 season:

Defenders

Kelly Bates, Upper Moreland, junior

The Golden Bears’ defensive leader is fearless on the field and tough as nails. With defense being the team’s strength, UM will be relying heavily on Bates as it takes on the larger schools in the SOL. With her energy and stick skills, opponents might not have much luck getting around Bates.

Anna Cusumano, Lansdale Catholic, senior

A skilled and determined defender, Cusumano makes it exceedingly difficult for opponents to get by her. The defensive center mid also excels on corner shots, sending line drives to the opposite corner of the net. A team captain, Cusumano was first-team All-Catholic last year and is a Catholic University commit. With the Crusaders losing 11 players from last year’s team, her leadership will also be crucial.

Kaila DeWees, Bensalem, senior

The Owls’ top defender, DeWees also excels on the lacrosse field and has received Division I interest.

Nora Fleming, Villa Joseph Marie, senior

Last year, Fleming was a recipient of the Widener University High School Leadership Award, and she brings her leadership qualities to the field hockey field. Known as the “heart and soul” of the team, Fleming anchors the Jems’ high-level defense and shows great awareness and aggressiveness on the field.

Lindsay Jones, William Tennent, senior

The Panthers’ top defender brings a strong work ethic and a love for the game. Despite being a young team, the Panthers are looking to improve upon last year’s record of 2-14 and will be relying on Jones’ skills as well as her hard work and team-first attitude.

Clare Morgan, Council Rock South, senior

Last year, Morgan was a key contributor in her first varsity season, playing in every game and making key defensive saves. This year, Morgan takes on more of a leadership role, anchoring the defensive line, with the Golden Hawks losing several prominent players to graduation. She possesses decisiveness and an ability to move the ball downfield, and most importantly, makes her teammates better.

Ashley Paturzo, Souderton, senior

After missing her entire junior season with a torn ACL, the Big Red welcome back their defensive anchor. A first-team All-Suburban One League selection as a sophomore, Paturzo will take her field hockey skills and smarts to Brown University next year. In addition to playing lockdown defense, Paturzo will also serve as an ‘on-field coach,’ guiding a defense composed mainly of underclassmen.

Gabby Darling, Pennsbury, senior

Darling will continue to anchor the Falcons’ staunch defense with her trademark low-block tackles and ability to distribute the ball out of the backfield. Darling had four defensive saves last year and was also part of the Falcons’ offensive penalty corner unit. This year, Darling will be called upon to help protect new goalie Kayla Shaffer.

Melissa Sessler, North Penn, senior

Last season, Sessler impressed as the Knights’ top defender at center back. She took most of the Knights’ restarts in the backfield, played on the defensive corner team and had one defensive save. Sessler has committed to playing Division I field hockey for St. Joseph’s University.

Morgan Shaltens, Neshaminy, senior

A four-year varsity starter, Shaltens brings plenty of veteran experience to the defense. Shaltens integrates her skill, smarts and physical strength to excel at her position.

Keira Delfin, Conwell-Egan, senior

Delfin was the Eagles’ defensive anchor last season, helping the team to its first playoff bid in 16 years. A consistent player with great leadership skills, Delfin will be counted upon to guide an experienced defensive unit.

Sam Thomas, Central Bucks South, senior

A team captain and top defender, Thomas will anchor the defense at center back. She's a great communicator on the field and adept at setting defensive plays. In addition, she has a great drive, can sling the ball across the field with precision and is adept at taking the ball away from opponents.

Midfielders

Laura Albert, North Penn, junior

A second-team All-State selection as a sophomore, Albert led the Knights in scoring with 20 goals and four assists, and also had a defensive save. A dynamic and creative player, Albert played on both offensive and defensive corners, took penalty strokes, and was the Knights’ primary striker.

Julia Blair, Souderton, junior

A three-year varsity player, Blair moves from the backfield to the midfield this season. Her excellent field awareness and strong skill set should translate beautifully to the midfield, where she will be heavily involved in both offensive and defensive corners. Blair will be a high-usage player, seeing plenty of ball-handling opportunities.

Ava Cozza, New Hope-Solebury, junior

Her sophomore season was remarkable, as Cozza delivered 22 goals and 14 assists for the Lions. She was second on the team in scoring, the first being her sister Sophia Cozza, who will be playing at the Stevens Institute of Technology this fall. In the PIAA playoffs, Ava scored the game-tying goal to send the game to OT in the Lions’ first-round win and earned an All-State Honorable Mention.

Olivia Dougherty, Abington, senior

The senior captain and Scranton University commit will play at center-mid, where she can best utilize her ability to get the ball in the circle and be the Ghosts’ main scoring threat. Dougherty’s speed and stamina allow her to quickly transition back on defense to nix any quick scoring threats.

Megan Klein, Bensalem, senior

A multisport athlete, Klein is a superstar on the softball field, which earned her a Division I commitment to Siena. On the field hockey field, her leadership skills are nearly as important as her athletic talent for a rebuilding Owls’ team.

Peyton England, Villa Joseph Marie, senior

England is the Jems’ top playmaker and will create plenty of offensive opportunities for herself and her teammates. A versatile two-way player, England also provides high-level defense.

Kiera Gallagher, Quakertown, senior

The versatile senior is equally valuable on both offense and defense, and will be a key contributor on both sides of the field. Gallagher is always ready and willing to take a shot and possesses a good eye for seeing the post of the goal cage.

Paige Keller, Central Bucks East, senior

The Patriots’ leader in assists was rewarded with a first-team All-State selection last year. Despite being a focal point of opposing defenses, Keller managed to score five goals while dealing 13 assists and finding ways to distribute the ball to her teammates. A team captain and Division I commit to the University of Connecticut, Keller plays as both a forward and midfielder, and is a true playmaker on both offense and defense.

Katelyn Landis, Quakertown, junior

Landis is a talented player with a high field hockey IQ, and the instincts to know when and where to place the ball in any situation. With her superb ball-handling skills and ability to read the field, she is a lethal scoring threat.

Maddy Mela, Council Rock North, senior

Mela was the Indians’ leading scorer last season, and always seemed to come through with a clutch goal when needed. She had two games with five goals scored last year.

Erin Miles, Dock Mennonite, senior

She was one of the leading scorers for the offensive-minded Pioneers last year, and that should continue this season for the hardworking Miles, who uses her strong stickwork to carve out scoring opportunities.

Mia Popovich, Pennsbury, senior

The senior midfielder is a strong force on the attack, bringing speed and skill to the offense. She will be called upon to be a leader on the field, anchoring an offense with several freshmen.

Lindsey Campione, Pennridge, senior

Bringing endless effort and limitless intensity, Campione is a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the field. Equipped with excellent field vision, Campione will be the team’s top distributor and could be among the league leaders in assists. Also very strong defensively, Campione is a Messiah University commit.

Olivia Krey, Germantown Academy, senior

The Division I Lafayette commit takes over center midfield this season, bringing her top-notch talent and unique field vision to the important position. Krey will be a key component during transitions from defense to offense, and she can take over a game at any time. Her superb stick work may be the best in the Inter-Academic League.

Caroline Rawlings, George School, senior

Rawlings brings both leadership and talent to the field, where she uses her well-honed field vision to execute plays. She is an offensive threat with the skills to take the ball up field and into the attacking end.

Eden Schrag, Dock Mennonite, senior

Schrag’s main job on the Pioneers’ offense is clear: score goals. It’s something the four-year starter has done very well during her career, which includes plenty of playoff experience.

Ella Haag, Central Bucks South, junior

A second-team All-SOL selection as a sophomore defender, Haag will work out of the crucial center-midfield position this season. Haag’s ability to distribute the ball upfield and to the sides will help her excel at the position, and she will play on both offensive and defensive corners.

Calista Boos, Central Bucks West, junior

As a sophomore, Boos contributed seven goals and eight assists for a Bucks’ team that made the PIAA playoffs for the first time since 2016. Boos was a second-team All-State selection last year.

Lily Cosner, Central Buck West, senior

The defensive midfielder was a major contributor to the Bucks’ 11 shutouts last season. She also contributed plenty of offense, with six goals and seven assists, including the game-winning goal that clinched the Bucks’ first PIAA state playoff berth since 2016. Cosner, a first-team All-State selection, will play Division I field hockey for the University of Delaware next year.

Aida Ierubino, Central Bucks West, sophomore

You won’t find many more impressive debuts than Ierubino’s freshman season. She led the Bucks with 16 goals and 11 assists while also contributing defensively. She was rewarded with a first-team All-State selection, a rare feat for a freshman.

Maddie Bogle, Gwynedd Mercy, senior

The defensive-minded midfielder was named second-team All State last year and has committed to play Division I field hockey for the Ohio State University.

Forwards

Annalise Aballa, Villa Joseph Marie, senior

A four-year varsity player, Aballa’s is the Jems’ top offensive threat. She displays excellent vision inside the circle.

Hannah Capo, Pennridge, senior

Already a skilled finisher, Capo, who is committed to Saint Francis, spent the offseason working on speed and strength. Capo scored 14 goals last season, and should have even more scoring chances this season with last year’s top scorer Payton Muth now playing at West Chester.

Grace McGeehan, North Penn, senior

The senior is speedy and scrappy, and expected to lead the Knights’ attack this year.

Kasey Rieger, Neshaminy, junior

As a sophomore, Rieger paced a veteran Neshaminy squad in scoring with 17 goals and 11 assists. Possessing superb speed and stick-handling skills, Rieger is able to create offensive opportunities for herself and her teammates, and she is always a scoring threat.

Ava Arbakov, Neshaminy, junior

A strong and aggressive presence on the field, Arbakov possesses an innate ability to control the center of the field. She will play both forward and midfielder to take advantage of her versatility and skillset.

Caitlin Lozano, Germantown Academy, senior

This year, Lozano moves from the backfield to the forward line, a position that will suit her skillset. The senior captain brings speed, strong stick skills along with a workhorse mentality and should open eyes at her new position.

McKenzie Newcomb, Bristol, senior

Playing both forward and midfielder last season, Newcomb is a versatile player willing to play any position or role that will best help her team. This year, the Warriors will be looking for her to be one of their top goal scorers.

Dani Burns, Faith Christian, junior

The Lions made the playoffs last year, their first season in existence, with a very inexperienced team. Burns was one of the players who quickly learned on the job, and her contributions will be even greater this season. Burns quickly developed her stick handling skills, displays a nose for the goal, and is a strong presence on the offensive line.

Dakota Poland, Conwell-Egan, senior

Poland, who didn’t start playing field hockey until her freshman year, was a major factor last year as the Eagles reached the playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons. As a junior, Poland more than doubled the number of goals she scored as a sophomore, and finished as the Eagles’ leading scorer. She will continue in that role this season, leading a fairly young offensive line.

Goalies

Shay Singer, George School, junior

Talented and tenacious, Singer is fearless in the cage. Armed with quickness, decisiveness and communication skills, Singer is a natural leader of the Cougars’ defense.

Carla Guy, Bristol, senior

Guy recorded 148 saves and seven shutouts for the Warriors’ last season. Her on-field communication skills and excellent field vision make her the natural leader of the defensive-minded Warriors. The team’s defenders will often look to Guy to set up a play for them.

Audra Szymborski, Central Bucks East, senior

The Titans’ goalie led the SOL in saves last season, recording 191 with an 83.7 save percentage. Szymborski made 20-plus saves in multiple games last year and was named the team’s defensive player of the year. She is the leader of the defense with strong communication and decision-making skills and has committed to Wingate University.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: 43 field hockey players to watch in 2023 season for Bucks County