Ketcham's Mattie Betts leads the Journal's 2023 field hockey All-Stars
With the fall high school sports season behind us, the Journal has selected its field hockey all-star team, recognizing the top performers in the local area.
Player of the Year
Mattie Betts
School: Roy C. Ketcham
Grade: Junior
Position: Forward
When John Sullivan became head coach following a winless season, he knew that a culture change was paramount, even before the improvement of skills and implementation of strategies. It was Betts who initially offered encouragement, Sullivan said, and it was she who took charge in shaping what became the collective mindset of the group.
"Mattie's work ethic is second to none and she sees the big picture," Sullivan said. "She plays on an elite travel team but was at our field almost every day in the summer, running and practicing stickwork. She wanted to get better; wanted to set an example."
She also set the wheels in motion for a turnaround season, emerging as a dynamic offensive weapon and leading resurgent Ketcham to the Section 1 Class A quarterfinals. Betts totaled 30 points, including 17 goals, excelling as a scorer and playmaker, eventually earning all-section honors.
"She's obviously talented, but she's also a great all-around kid," the coach said. "Her level of play and her attitude was a huge part in getting us back in the right direction."
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First team
Emma Barton
School: John Jay-East Fishkill
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
Her quickness, athleticism and improved stick skills showed on both ends as Barton was a disruptive defender and an offensive facilitator. The Worcester Polytechnic commit helped lead the Patriots to the Section 1 Class A quarterfinals and was named all-section honorable mention.
Maddie Boyd
School: Red Hook
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward, defender
The two-time Journal All-Star has shown her versatility over the years, adjusting to roles to accommodate team needs. After excelling as a defender last season, she contributed more as a scorer this fall, helping buoy a young roster. Boyd had eight goals and four assists, earning all-Section 9 honors.
Sophia Bronzi
School: Arlington
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
A two-time Journal All-Star, Bronzi was a playmaker defensively, her stickwork and aggressiveness often forcing turnovers, and her guile and ball-handling enabled her to move the ball well. The SUNY New Paltz commit led Arlington to the Section 1 Class A quarterfinals and earned all-section honors.
Gwen Browne
School: Roy C. Ketcham
Grade: Sophomore
Position: Goalkeeper
The first-year starter impressed early, having command of the defense and demonstrating her composure in goal. With her agility and reaction time, she made several difficult saves en route to recording eight shutouts and receiving all-league honors.
Liv Christensen
School: Red Hook
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
A ball-handler with good speed and field vision, she flourished as a passer and helped anchor the defense, earning all-section. The two-time Journal All-Star had six assists and was a leader for a roster that included 11 freshmen.
Deirdre Connolly
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
With her shooting skills and a knack for positioning, she became a reliable scorer and helped Lourdes make significant strides in the last two seasons. The all-Section 9 pick had seven goals and an assist.
Cat Dillinger
Team: Pine Plains
Grade: Junior
Position: Defender
The center back "can cover the width of the field," coach Debbie Beam said. That range and her stick skills allowed Dillinger to be an impact defender and an orchestrator, including playing striker on corners. The all-section standout helped the young Bombers reach the Section 9 Class C semifinals.
Chelsea Hodge
School: Pawling
Grade: Senior
Position: Defender
She improved steadily and grew into a defensive standout, helping anchor a solid unit as Pawling surged to the Section 1 Class C quarterfinals. Hodge earned all-league honors and was named a member of the section's Golden Dozen, an all-encompassing honor that recognizes athletic and academic achievements.
Lauren Mastromarco
School: John Jay-East Fishkill
Grade: Senior
Position: Goalkeeper
The two-time Journal All-Star again shined this season, her reflexes and range helping to anchor a stout defense. The SUNY Brockport commit made 101 stops with a .870 save percentage and earned all-Section 1 recognition.
Lauren O'Rourke
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
Her hat trick lifted the Warriors to a win late in the 2022 season, their first in three years. That game, and her growth, was a springboard for them this fall. Lourdes was named Class B champ as the only Section 9 team in that classification but, more impressive, were the four wins and continued improvement. O'Rourke again was a catalyst, scoring five goals and earning all-section.
Katie Sauve
School: Roy C. Ketcham
Grade: Sophomore
Position: Midfield, defender, forward
Her talents were utilized all over the field and Sauve contributed in several areas, but she excelled on defense and in transition. She often forced turnovers, maneuvered the field and put teammates in position to score. She also was trusted on penalty corner inserts, which contributed to her 10 assists.
Angela Simou
School: Arlington
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
With speed, deft dribbling and a tenacious drive, she was a standout on both ends of the field. Simou was a disruptive defender, a difficult matchup in transition, and an offensive orchestrator. Those talents and the production helped earn her all-Section 1 honorable mention.
Veronica Webber
School: Pawling
Grade: Junior
Position: Midfield
She excelled and earned all-section honorable mention, despite only having played the sport for two years. Coach Rob Walters marveled at her "field hockey acumen," which enabled her to quickly step into a leadership role. Webber had eight goals and helped Pawling reach the section quarterfinals.
Emma Wolfman
Team: Pine Plains
Grade: Sophomore
Position: Midfield, defender, forward
Beam lauded Wolfman's "patience and finesse" along with good field vision. Those attributes, and her athleticism, allowed her to be utilized at different positions, filling in wherever needed on a shorthanded roster. Wolfman did well in each role, earning all-Section 9 recognition.
Second team
Ashley Bass, Arlington, G, Sr.
Isabel Clark, Pawling, D, Sr.
Miranda Colacchio, Arlington, F, Sr.
Charlotte Fatigate, Lourdes, M, Jr.
Kayla Kinkel, John Jay, M, Sr.
Alyssa Liguori, Arlington, D, Sr.
Claire Moore, Ketcham, F, Jr.
Sophia Prianti, John Jay, F/M, Sr.
Avery Reimer, John Jay, M/F, Sr.
Nala Soria, Pine Plains, M, Fr.
Honorable mention
Arlington: Jayara Caston, F, Sr.; Lyla DeGregorio, D, So.; Lily Haverkamp, D, Sr.
John Jay: Alexa Cazzorla, D, Sr.; Maggie Kennedy, F, So.; Sofia Riitano, M/D, Jr.; Bella Tassone, D, Sr.
Our Lady of Lourdes: Tessa Cox, M/D, Sr.; Kate Faughnan, M, So.; Elizabeth Ormerod, M, Sr.; Katherine Ormerod, D/G, Sr.
Pawling: Ava Riina, G, Jr.
Pine Plains: Hailey Lamping, F, So.
Red Hook: Anna Faraldi, G, Sr.
Roy C. Ketcham: Megan Gaklik, M/F, Jr., Paige Hotle, D, So.; Christiana Simou, D, Jr., Julia Wickliffe, F/M, Jr.
Coach of the Year
John Sullivan
School: Roy C. Ketcham
The first-year coach led a dramatic turnaround, helping Ketcham shake off a winless season and as its young core flourished this fall. They turned heads, going 9-4-4 and reaching the Section 1 Class A quarterfinals.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Poughkeepsie Journal 2023 high school field hockey All-Stars
