HS FIELD HOCKEY: Returning all-state players are looking to lead teams in WVC
Sep. 3—Teams from Lackawanna Interscholastic Athletic Association schools are loaded with star power as the high school girls field hockey season opens in the highly competitive Wyoming Valley Conference.
Honesdale is coming off its best season in program history; there are several all-state players and those who have already committed to NCAA Division I schools as the sport continues to flourish in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
After a memorable season last fall, Honesdale is eagerly awaiting the start of this season. The Lady Hornets won the District 2 Class 3A championship and earned a PIAA Class 3A first-round win over Spring-Ford, 4-3.
Headlining Honesdale's group of returning players is Claire Campen, a Class 3A first-team all-state selection who is headed to Monmouth University. She finished last season with 30 goals and 15 assists.
"Last year was a once-in-a lifetime crazy opportunity, and it was awesome at the time, and we worked extremely hard," Campen said. "We have almost our entire team back, and we are building every day. It is not the same as last year, and we have to work harder and understand that things don't come easy.
"It's very motivating for us."
The reason for so much excitement is that Campen is not the only outstanding player back for the Lady Hornets.
Rozalyn Maciejewski is a three-time all-state pick who was named to the second team last season. She scored 10 goals, had nine assists, and is verbally committed to playing at Temple.
Rozalyn Mikulak was selected for an all-state honorable mention and contributed to nine shutouts defensively, while contributing seven goals and 12 assists.
Abington Heights won the WVC Division II title last season with an undefeated record in the regular season.
The Lady Comets are led by a pair of players who are NCAA Division I commits.
Madison Zalewski, who earned Class 2A all-state second-team honors, scored 18 goals and had 19 assists. She is headed to Old Dominion University.
"There has been a lot of promising progress that we have made through the summer," Zalewski said. "We have a lot of younger players coming up. I am looking to improve every time that I am out there, and I hope to help others improve.
"We have to focus on every game and make sure that we are all on the same page."
Peyton Pallman, who is committed to Central Michigan University, scored 14 goals and had five assists last season.
"I am really excited about this season," Pallman said. "Our team has so much potential. Last year, we had an exciting season, and we are really pushing each other. We have to support each other on and off the ball. We have to try new things and try new shots. We just have to bring it and feed off of each other to be successful."
Lackawanna Trail, which competes in the WVC Division I, had three players honored as all-state after reaching the District 2 Class 1A semifinals. The Lady Lions took Wyoming Area to the limit in a 1-0 loss. Wyoming Area, the eventual district champion, reached the PIAA Class 1A final and lost to Boiling Springs, 1-0.
Lena Ryon, who is also committed to Central Michigan University, earned first-team all-state honors in Class 1A after scoring 31 goals and adding 12 assists.
Both Nora Evans and Lauren Fahey were selected as Class 1A all-state honorable mentions for the Lady Lions last season.
"I am super excited," said Ryon, who has 55 goals and 25 assists in two seasons. "We have worked all summer. I think this is one of the strongest teams that we have had in a long time."
Wallenpaupack also had a player named to the all-state list. Jillian Tait, who scored 13 goals and has 26 goals in her career, was selected all-state in Class 2A.
"I am really looking forward to the season," Tait said. "We have a lot of potential with a lot of returning starters. We have to work well as a team. I have been doing a lot of lifting this summer and workouts on the turf to get my shots in. I have also participated in some tournaments for the NEPA Force."
Delaware Valley is aiming to rebound in 2023. The Lady Warriors have eight starters returning, including Nicki Musselwhite and high scorers Ciara Newton and Holly Olcott.
ABINGTON HEIGHTS
Coach: Glenn Carr
2022 record: 14-4
WVC: Division II.
District 2: Class 2A.
Returning starters: Madison Zalewski; Peyton Pallman; Kaylyn Elliott; Marygrace Sabatini; Emily Bartell; Emma Newman; Carly Miller; Olivia Piasecki; Amelia Gonzalez.
Newcomers: Caly Yankow; Sophia Policare; Siena Bossi; Bella DeRiggi; Emma Wagner.
DELAWARE VALLEY
Coach: Marielle Cavallaro
2022 record: 1-10-1
WVC: Division I
District 2: Class 3A
Returning starters: Nicki Musselwhite; Kayla Sykes; Mackenzie Koger; Ciara Newton; Ava O'Grady; Jenna Zuelch; Ava Kraszewski; Leah Bird.
Newcomers: Ella Smith; Angela Olsen; Bailey Ryan.
HONESDALE
Coach: Rebecca Maciejewski
2022 Record: 18-4
WVC: Division I
District 2: Class 3A
Returning starters: Claire Campen, Roz Maciejewski, Roz Mikulak, Mak Cobourn, Jillian Hoey, Miranda Roegner, Jordan Patzuk, Kara Fries, Alyssa Czekai, Lily Murray and Kady McElroy.
Newcomers: Jaydan Beisner, Chloee Spry.
LACKAWANNA TRAIL
Coach: Laura Evans
2022 Record: 12-7.
WVC: Division I
District 2: Class 1A
Returning starters: Nora Evans; Lauren Fahey; Lena Ryon; Aly Schirg; Teagan Vokes; Leigha Joseph; Tea Burns; Emma Shaw; Hannah Phillips; Ella Dewey; Kate Jones; Kiera Mulhern; Greta Krimmel; Megan Fahey.
Newcomers: Emma Thomas; Payton Laytos.
WALLENPAUPACK
Coach: Elly Yatsonsky
2022 Record: 9-10
WVC: Division II
Returning starters: Sophia Burbridge; Aubrey Folk; Olivia Karp; Delaney Murphy; Hunter Myers; Katie O'Brien; Jaime Stella; Allison Sterner; Cameron Troch; Jillian Tait.
Contact the writer:
jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9125;
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