Meet the 2023 All-Greater Rochester Field Hockey Team
Here is the 2023 All-Greater Rochester Field Hockey Team as determined by a vote of Section V coaches with input from Democrat and Chronicle staff.
Player of the Year
Year: Senior
Parents: Jennifer and Michael Parrinello
Position: Goalkeeper
Key accomplishment: Only allowing five goals in 19 games.
Future plans: Majoring in nursing at University of Pittsburgh.
Why she is Player of the Year: The last line of defense for the Pittsford Mendon Vikings, the Section V Class A champions, was a formidable one. A third-year starter, Parrinello allowed no even-strength goals, all five goals against came during penalty corners.
"She played her best games against the toughest competition, limiting high-scoring teams such as Pittsford Sutherland, Webster Thomas and Cicero-North Syracuse to one or no goals," Mendon coach Kara Carpenter said.
Year: Junior
Parents: Lori and Joel Benzel
Position: Defense
Key accomplishment: My first varsity goal was a stroke.
Future plans: Finishing high school and graduating in 2025, then pursuing a career in business or computer science at college.
Year: Sophomore
Parents: Allison and Steve Bottoni
Position: Forward
Key accomplishments: Led the team with 18 goals this season, scored three goals in a 4-2 win during the Section V Class A Championship game.
Future plans: I plan to attend college and play field hockey or lacrosse.
Year: Junior
Parents: Julie and Tom Fisher
Position: Midfield
Key accomplishment: 15 goals this season.
Future plans: I hope to play field hockey in college, undecided on a major.
Year: Senior
Parent: Jessica Frank
Position: Defense
Key accomplishment: Two goals, two defensive saves
Future plans: I am attending college at La Salle University to play Division 1 lacrosse and major in marketing.
Year: Senior
Parents: Christina and Timothy Graves
Position: Midfield
Key accomplishment: 13 assists.
Future plans: Attend University of Mount Union (Ohio) to play lacrosse.
Year: Senior
Parents: Jackie and Randy Kent
Position: Center midfield
Key accomplishment: Started every game.
Future plans: I plan to attend college majoring in biology or biochemistry on a pre-med track, while also hopefully playing field hockey and ice hockey.
Year: Senior
Parents: Heeyeon Kim and Jinkook Lee
Position: Defense
Key accomplishments: First team all-league, all-state, best defender and MVP team awards, scoring my first goal this year as a defender!
Future plans: Pursue a future in science or mathematics, while playing club field hockey in college.
Year: Junior
Parents: Stacy and Chris Mrzywka
Position: Forward
Key accomplishment: I am most proud of the 25 goals I scored this season.
Future plans: I am planning to attend college to play NCAA Division I or Division III ice hockey and/or field hockey.
Year: Senior
Parents: Bonnie and Matt Shortino
Positions: Midfield/defense
Key accomplishments: Multiple defensive saves.
Future plans: Attend Limestone University and play Division II lacrosse
Year: Senior
Parents: Courtney Peplin and Tim Spitz
Position: Center midfield
Key accomplishments: Four-year varsity player, two-time captain, named all-state, repeat first team All-Monroe County, and finished with 7 goals and 7 assists.
Future plans: Attend college, continue to play field hockey, plus study business and real estate.
Year: Senior
Parents: Melissa and Robert Strelick
Position: Goalkeeper
Key accomplishments: In the 2023 season, I had 101 saves with 18 goals allowed.
Future plans: I am planning on joining the United States Air Force.
Coach of the Year
Profession: Retired/coach
Varsity coaching experience: 37 years - 1982-2000 Eastridge junior varsity coach, 2004-2011 program assistant at Thomas, 2012 -2023 varsity and modified coach at Thomas.
Family: Travis (son), Chelsea Smith (wife), Samantha (daughter) and Matt Saxby (daughter's husband), Lincoln, Saylor, Warren and one due in March (grandchildren). Samantha has been Thomas JV coach for the past 10 years.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: AGR: All-Greater Rochester Field Hockey 2023 Team
