Elite 11: Meet the Journal's top returning field hockey players for 2023
With the field hockey season underway, the Journal has selected its Elite 11 and players to watch, highlighting some of the best returning players in the area and some rising stars poised for breakout seasons.
Field hockey 2023 Elite 11
Emma Barton
School: John Jay-East Fishkill
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfielder
What makes Emma elite? With good athleticism and nonstop hustle, the softball standout shined last season in this sport as well. She proved to be a weapon on both ends, hounding ball handlers with her quickness and aggressiveness, and adding three goals and two assists to help the Patriots reach the Section 1 Class A playoffs.
Mattie Betts
School: Roy C. Ketcham
Grade: Junior
Position: Forward
What makes Mattie elite? The combination of natural talent, improved stick skills and a beyond-her-years demeanor have created a budding star. Betts gained experience and absorbed knowledge during a rebuilding season last fall, continued to tune her skills on the club circuit, and is flourishing now offensively and as a vocal leader. She scored at least one goal in each of Ketcham's first three games.
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Maddie Boyd
School: Red Hook
Grade: Senior
Position: Defender
What makes Maddie elite? A converted forward, she brought an offensive skillset to the center back position last year, reading opponents well and having a good understanding of positioning. That, combined with her footwork and quickness, enabled her to excel as a defender. She also was a key member of the Raiders' offensive corner team, adding two goals and three assists and earning all-Section honors.
Sophia Bronzi
School: Arlington
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfielder
What makes Sophia elite? Her instincts, tenacity and positioning make her a disruptive force on defense, and she continues to improve as a facilitator. A Journal All-Star last season, she excelled as a defensive midfielder, helping lead the Admirals to the Section 1 Class A quarterfinals.
Liv Christensen
School: Red Hook
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfielder
What makes Liv elite? A talented, multi-sport athlete, she enjoyed a breakout field hockey season last fall and was a Journal All-Star. Her speed and coordination are a benefit, as is her ability "to see the field with ease," Raiders coach Cari Meltzer said. Christensen stood out defensively and contributed five goals and three assists, helping lead Red Hook to the Section 9 Class C final.
Deirdre Connolly
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
What makes Deirdre elite? She earned Journal All-Star honors last season after helping this program take a significant step in its growth. Connolly's leadership is invaluable to the young squad, as is her speed and ability to create space in the circle. She had four goals and two assists last fall.
Cat Dillinger
Team: Pine Plains
Grade: Junior
Position: Defender
What makes Cat elite? Dillinger is a smart, fundamentally-sound center back whom coach Debbie Beam called "the backbone of our team." With her quickness and an excellent block tackle, she often stops fast breaks and denies shot attempts, and her powerful hits help create transition opportunities. Dillinger also is trusted on the Bombers' defensive and offensive corner units.
Lauren Mastromarco
School: John Jay-East Fishkill
Grade: Senior
Position: Goalkeeper
What makes Lauren elite? Mastromarco vaulted herself among the better goalies in the area last fall, showing range and agility in stopping difficult shots. She made 75 saves last season, enduring the pressure of several close games, and earned all-league honors after helping the Patriots make the Section 1 playoffs.
Lauren O’Rourke
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
What makes Lauren elite? She has worked diligently to improve her dribbling and expand her arenal of moves, pairing those skills with her break-away speed. O'Rourke scored six goals last season, erupting down the stretch and offering the Warriors a glimpse of her potential.
Jill Santaroni
School: John Jay-East Fishkill
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
What makes Jill elite? A breakout star last season, her 13 goals were the most among Dutchess County players, and several of them came in clutch moments. Santaroni is instinctive in deciphering defenses and finding openings to receive passes in advantageous spots.
ViVi Webber
School: Pawling
Grade: Junior
Position: Midfielder
What makes ViVi elite? Her speed and athleticism immediately turn heads, but her grasp of the game has been most impressive, coach Rob Walters said. Webber does well on both ends of the field, quickly reading the action and reacting to support her forwards or defenders.
Others to watch
Ashley Bass, Arlington, G, Sr.; Alexa Cazzorla, John Jay-East Fishkill, D, Sr.; Charlotte Fatigate, Lourdes, M, Jr.; Kayla Kinkel, John Jay-East Fishkill, M, Sr.; Hailey Lamping, Pine Plains, F, So.; Alyssa Liguori, Arlington, D, Sr.; Claire Moore, Ketcham, F, Jr.; Olivia Osofoky, Pine Plains, G/F, So.; Ava Riina, Pawling, G, Jr.; Katie Sauve, Ketcham, M/D, So.; Amelia Soave, Red Hook, M/F, So.; Angela Simou, Arlington, M, Sr.; Christiana Simou, Ketcham, D, Jr.; Julia Wickliffe, Ketcham, M/F, Jr.; Emma Wolfmann, Pine Plains, M, So.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: High school field hockey: The Journal's Elite 11 selections for 2023
