Abington Heights
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Abington Heights
Coach: Amy Wojcik, first season
Past three years: 3-42 in WVC
All-stars lost: Amber Page, state All-Academic; Rachael Rugletic, state All-Academic.
Key returning players: Kierstyn Selig, Sr/M; Mallory McCoy, Jr/F-M; Paige Notarianni, Jr/F-M; Serena DeSeta, Jr/M; Sarah Beamish, Jr/D; Claire Notarianni, Jr/D; Chloe Cummings, Jr/M; Tara Hambrose, Jr/D; Sierra Caswell, Sr/F-M; Gina Fiore, Sr/F-M; Emily Davis, Sr/F-M.
Key newcomers: Lilliana McHale, So/M; Shirley Tung, Jr/D; Morgan Palmiter, Jr/D; Alyssa McMinn, So/D; Abby Craig, Jr/D; Susan Scappatura, Fr/F-M.
Coach’s outlook: The team is very coachable and open to learning and working hard. There is a nice camaraderie among the teammates and our goal of improvement in every aspect is starting to show some results. The seniors are providing excellent leadership and they are great role models for the whole team. Their maturity and contributions are the core of our team.
Coach: Brandi Bertollo, first season
Past three years: 8-31-2 in WVC
Key returning players: Sydney Lynn, Sr/F; Kayleigh May, Sr/F.
Outlook: While it is Bertollo’s first season as head coach, she has served as a coach with the program for a few years now. There should not be a big transition in learning a playing style for the players, and the coach knows what talent she has on hand.
Coach: Colleen Wood, 21st season
Past three years: 28-15-2 in WVC
Last District 2 championship: 2009
All-stars lost: Cara Answini, state All-Academic; Rosa Bartoletti, state All-Academic; Dannah Hayward, state All-Academic; Alyssa Monaghan, state All-Academic.
Key returning players: Katie Colleran, Jr/D; Kelsey Gabriele, So/M; Madysen Jones, Sr/F; Paige Tedik, Sr/G; Haley Waslasky, Sr/D; Caitlin Wood, second team All-State, Sr/F.
Key newcomers: Molly Andress, So; Alex Bukeavich, So; Kyra Castano, So; Kaitlyn Lukashewski, So; Dominique Oko, So; Keighlyn Oliver, So; Kalie Reed, Fr; Brigid Wood, Fr; Kyra Wozniak, Fr; Sarah Zbierski, So.
Coach’s outlook: We lost a lot from last year. We have just four starters back and all are seniors, so we definitely have a lot of spots to fill. It’s a good year for a lot of the younger players because they will get their chances. For once, we have a small group — 29 players — so everyone will get some playing time, either in varsity or JV.
Coach: Elvetta Gemski, 37th season
Past three years: 43-2 in WVC
Last District 2 championship: 2010
All-stars lost: Anna Dessoye, first team All-American; Jessica Newak, second team All-American; Danielle DeSpirito, second team All-State; Lindsay Hischak, state All-Academic; Kelsey Jones, state All-Academic; Alexa Moran, state All-Academic; Gabrielle Prezkop, state All-Academic.
Key returning players: Chandler Ackers, first team All-State, Sr/M-D; Casey Cole, So/F-M; Maury Cronauer, Jr/F; Megan McCole, Jr/D; Rachael Ritz, Sr/D-G; Marissa Surdy, Jr/F.
Key newcomers: Jess Jennings, Sr/F; Breanna Paulson, Sr/F; Cecelia Schmid, Sr/F; Angela Teberio, Sr/F-M; Morgan Kile, Jr/F; Kailee Krupski, Jr/F; Rachel Maczuga, Jr/D; Kelli Mickowski, Jr/M-D; Daniella Callaghan, So/F; Dallas Kendra, So/G; Sarah Wodarczyk, So/F; Hannah Ackers, Fr/M-D; Elizabeth Dessoye, Fr/F-M; Cara Jarmiolowski, Fr/D; Hunter Pitman, Fr/F-M; Madeline Ritsick, Fr/M-D; Ashleigh Thomas, Fr/F.
Coach’s outlook: We are a hard working group who are concentrating on their basic skills and looking forward to the season.
Coach: Kylie Rosengrant, fifth season
Past three years: 23-20-2 in WVC
Last District 2 championship: 2007
All-stars lost: Ashley Dunbar, second team All-State; Kirby Szalkowski, second team All-State; Dana Joley, state All-Academic; Jessica Missal, state All-Academic.
Key returning players: Evonna Ackourey, Sr/F-M; Jenny Cave, Jr/F; Katy Comitz, Jr/F; Vanessa Parsons, Jr/F; Michelle Thompson, All-State honorable mention, Jr/M.
Key newcomers: Cortlyn Van Deutsch, Jr/D; Emma Nisnick, Jr/D; Abby Downs, So/D; Lily Amadio, Jr/G.
Coach’s outlook: We’re very young. We are looking for leadership from our lone senior, and from our juniors. The upperclassmen need to step up and be strong, as most of them will be our leaders for the next two years. If they are competitive, we will have a good season. And we finally have a home field on campus. That is a big step for us. We need to use our home field to our advantage.
Delaware Valley
Coach: Lindsay Sabo, sixth season
Past three years: 20-25 in WVC
Last District 2 championship: 2000
All-stars lost: Faith Torkildsen, All-State honorable mention; Kyrsten Brockmann, state All-Academic; Maura Schaffer, state All-Academic.
Key returning players: Rihannon Hausenauer, Sr/M; Katie Murphy, Sr/F; Grace Farrell, Jr/F.
Key newcomers: Jillian Degraw, Jr/D; Marielle Cavallaro, So/M; Alyssa Depadua, Jr/F; Payton Padgett, So/F.
Coach’s outlook: We’re going to be a very young team, but we’re looking to develop as the season goes on. We have a couple of returning players, but most of the team are sophomores. The new players have shown they can fill roles for us. There were so many one-goal games (in 3A). Any given game, we’ve seen anyone can come out on top.
Elk Lake
Coach: Heidi Woodruff, sixth season
Past three years: 21-21 in WVC
Key returning players: Steven Paskaitis, Sr/F; C.J. Beven, Jr/F; Sabrina Clarke, So/F.
Coach’s outlook: We lost 11 seniors and all but two were starters. We’re a very young team and we have a lot of players who will need to step up this season. I think we’ll hold our own this season and I think the other teams will be surprised with us. The future is bright, too, as we have 24 players in the junior high program, which is awesome.
Coach: Sue Woznock, fifth season
Past three years: 17-24-1 in WVC
All-stars lost: Samantha Kirschner, state All-Academic; Tara Kolativa, state All-Academic; China Morningstar, state All-Academic; Laurel Roughsedge, state All-Academic.
Key returning players: Mary Branham, Sr/D; Samantha Bryan, Sr/M; Candice Hartman, Sr/F; Brea Seabrook, So/F.
Key newcomers: Kristen Drozda, So/F; Avery Harris, Fr/F; LaMonica Mateo, So/M; Lindsey Quinn, Fr/F; Brittany Vital, Fr/G.
Coach’s outlook: Our greatest asset this year is we have a roster of 24. Having graduated eight seniors, we are a new group coming together and we have a lot of skilled players who are working hard to be successful. We will look to Candice Hartman and Samantha Bryan, our senior captains, for leadership both at practice and on the field, Brea Seabrook to once again be one of the top scorers both for us and our division. Kristen Drozda and Ally Muvihill will join Seabrook on the line. Mary Branham, Marissa Yurchak and Samantha Conahan will be key on defense. We have a hardworking, talented freshman goalie in Brittany Vital, who will be an integral part of this team over the next four years. Five freshmen bring skill and eagerness to play, and they will make a difference immediately. With 12 sophomores as well, this is a building year but we expect to be very competitive from the start and improve each week.
Hanover Area
Coach: Jocelyn Holodick-Reed, 10th season
Past three years: 23-15-2 in WVC
Key returning players: Kyra Maldonado, Sr/M; Tiffany McCary, Sr/G; Emily Mikluscak, Sr/D; Brittany McNair, Jr/D; Alyssa Cimakoski, Sr/M.
Key newcomers: Mackenzie Gasper, Jr; Michaela Halesey, Fr; Samantha Maxwell, Sr; Brexy Pena, Jr; Jackie Taylor, Sr; Jessie Taylor, Sr.
Coach’s outlook: We are looking to the returners we do have to show some leadership. This is definitely a building year for us — many of our players are setting foot on a varsity field for the first time. This is a good group, though, and a lot of these girls will be here for a couple of years. The key will be how the season progresses with the camaraderie among the squad.
Hazleton Area
Coach: Mary Kelly, 12th season
Past three years: 10-33-2 in WVC
All-stars lost: Kayla Garzio, first team All-State; Leeca Baran, state All-Academic.
Key returning players: Alison Machey, Sr/F; Alyssa Machey, Sr/D; Hannah Levine, Sr/D; Brianna Dalesandro, Sr/M; Kaitlyn McHugh, Jr/G; Hannah Plaza, Jr/M; Lexi Henchenski, Jr/F-M; Selena Garzio, All-State honorable mention, So/F-M; Madison Reed, So/M; Lauren Blakeslee, So/M; Khrista Baran, So/M; Gabby Ator So/M; Holly Slowik, So/G.
Key newcomers: Kara Sanford; Celia Sokolofski.
Coach’s outlook: We’re excited about the upcoming season. Last year was the first time in seven years that we made it to the district’s 3A semifinals. Most of our players have returned and are eager to work hard to achieve that level of success again. We’re working diligently to develop each player to her full potential. Our focus has been on developing our team passing and defensive skills. We will take one game at a time, hoping to gain experience and improve our performance with each competition.
Holy Redeemer
Coach: Juliann DeFalco, fourth season
Past three years: 31-13-1 in WVC
All-stars lost: Ashley Bernardi, first team All-State; Lauren Bernardi, first team All-State; Stephanie Amendola, state All-Academic.
Key returning players: Sara Altemose, Sr/D; Greta Ell, All-State honorable mention, So/F-M; Mallory Kusakavitch, Jr/D; Marnie Kusakavitch, second team All-State, Sr/F; Melanie Kusakavitch, Jr/F; Allie Malacari, second team All-State, Sr/D; Selena Malacari, Sr/G; Stephanie McCole, Sr/M-F.
Key newcomers: Alexis Lewis, So/M; Morgan Mancini, Sr/D; Chelsea Skrepenak, So/F.
Coach’s outlook: We are missing some core parts of our team from last year, the twins (the Bernardis) and our goalie (Elizabeth Nicholas), but I am really happy with the makeup of this team. The biggest positive is the amount of offseason work these players put in. I have a lot of players who want to play in college. They really showed up in impressive physical shape. I can’t say enough about them.
Coach: Rebecca Maciejewski, sixth season
Past three years: 12-33 in WVC
Key returning players: Nicole Cush, Sr/G; Mickey Johannes, Sr/F-M; Mary Martin, Sr/F; Katelyn Pfeil, Sr/S.
Key newcomer: Janie Murphy, Fr/D.
Coach’s outlook: We were very young and inexperienced last season, but we did our homework. Our club team qualified for indoor nationals, and all of our starters had key offseason work. We have nine seniors on the team and 10 starters back. This group resembles the 2009 squad, which lost in strokes to Wyoming Valley West in districts. Three seniors this season were part of that team.
Lackawanna Trail
Coach: Sandy Spott, 23rd season
Past three years: 24-18-3 in WVC
Last District 2 championship: 2008
All-stars lost: Alexa Rzucidlo, All-State honorable mention.
Key returning players: Jess Bowman, Sr; Sarah Botscheller, Jr; Kasey Buck, So; Cameron Crock, Sr; Shelby Croasdale, Jr; Courtney Ditchey, Sr; Aliza Furneaux, Sr; Kerrigan Buck, So; Nicole Rosa, Jr; Gabby Truesdale, So.
Key newcomers: Jordan Laytos, Fr; Daria Lewandowski, So; Chelsy Stuble, Jr.
Coach’s outlook: We only graduated four starters, but with only 20 players on the team, we are a little light. But this is a good group that will work to be successful. The ninth grade here has just 66 students. There is good news for the future, though, is that we’ve got 12 players coming up from eighth grade next year, and they’re good.
Lake-Lehman
Coach: Jean Lipski, 32nd season
Past three years: 28-15-2 in WVC
Last District 2 championship: 1999
All-stars lost: Victoria Frederick, state All-Academic; Michelle Lipski, state All-Academic; Marissa Moosic, state All-Academic; Nikki Sutliff, state All-Academic; Alexis Van Fleet, state All-Academic.
Key returning players: Alyssa Adams, So/D; Carly Gromel, Sr/M; Kassie Keiper, Sr/D; Amanda Mathers, Sr/F; Brooke O’Brien, Jr/D; Karli O’Brien, Sr/D; Tracy Snyder, Sr/F; Korrie Wandel, So/F.
Key newcomers: Kate Supey, Fr/F.
Coach’s outlook: The senior leadership is wonderful this year — it’s a nice blend of real encouragement and hard work. They have been working on their conditioning. It will all depend on how they gel. Certainly, the last couple of years have been lean, but the tide is turning. We did not lose anyone to girls soccer. These hockey players are committed to the traditions of Lake-Lehman.
Coach: Amy Peters, third season (missed last year)
Past three years: 19-23-2 in WVC
All-stars lost: Leanne McManus, state All-Academic; Mia Scocozzo, state All-Academic; Alivia Weidler, state All-Academic.
Key returning players: Rianna Daughtry-Smith, Sr/G; Brianna DiMaggio, Sr/F-M; Eilish Hoban, Sr/D; Amilyn Konopki, Sr/D; Kelly Mahalek, Sr/F; Cathy Quinones, Sr/F.
Key newcomers: Allison Berman, So/M; Betsy Macko, Fr/M; Sydney Rentsch, So/D.
Coach’s outlook: We lost a lot of starters and last year we only had three freshmen come up. So far, we’ve basically been putting two and two together. We’re looking forward to competing in Division 3 again. The last time we were in Division 3 was 2009, and we won it. We’ve been working well together as a team and are looking forward to the season.
Coach: Brianna Strope, third season
Past three years: 1-36-2 in WVC
Key returning players: Kelsey Brink, Sr/D, Laura Brink, Jr/M, Kayleah Trecoske, Jr/D, Makayla Dearborn, Sr/M, Maria Phillips, Sr/F; Sam Turner, Sr/F.
Key newcomers: Audra Everett, Fr/G; Olivia Everett, Jr/M; Alex Zapolski, So/G.
Coach’s outlook: We lost eight seniors, including our goaltender, but we’re looking stronger than anticipated. We have a positive attitude and we’ll show a lot of improvement over the course of the year. We have good numbers in the program, but we’re young. We only have four seniors on the squad.
Coach: Lori Dennis
Past three years: 13-30-2 in WVC
Key returning players: Sarah Carne, M; Kayla Benjamin, F-M; Kayla Gronkowski, D; Maddy O’Donahue, D.
Key newcomers: Rebecca Morris, M-D; Savannah Oliver, F; Bridget Kinlaw, G; Carly Grabowski, F.
Coach’s outlook: We lost 13 seniors, including nine starters, so we had to replace big numbers on the field. Most everyone returning to the team does have varsity experience, just not as starters. Our roster is 25 deep, so we have numbers. These players are new, but they are pretty good. There are times where it can be hard when you put so many new players on the field at once.
Coach: Pete Malischak, second season (15th overall)
Past three years: 36-4-2 in WVC
Key returning players: Glenn Carr, Sr/M; Jenna Morris, Sr/D; Morgan Price, Sr/F; Kirsten Walsh, Sr/F; Alivia Womelsdorf, Sr/G.
Key newcomers: Liz Gurzynski, Fr/D; Aleesha Hildebrand, Sr/M; Maggie Murphy, So/D; Michaela Weber, Jr/F.
Coach’s outlook: We should have a good team again, though we lost our leading scorer (Taylor Perlis) and another top scorer (Colleen McCoy). But they were our only two seniors last season. The returning players went to several camps during the offseason. Our strength is going to be our experience, while our depth is our weakness. We are leaning on these (11) seniors. Seven of our first eight games are on the road, so this group will be challenged early.
Pittston Area
Coach: Caitlin Hadzimichalis, third season
Past three years: 19-23-1 in WVC
Key returning players: Alexa Danko, Jr/M; Lea Garibaldi, Jr/G; Emily Herron, Jr/F; Dana Maurizi, Jr/F; Katrina Mikitish, So/M; Liz Mikitish, Sr/M.
Key newcomers: Paige Danko, Fr/F; Marissa Morreale, Fr/D; Alana Platukus, Fr/F; Julia Stella, Fr/M.
Coach’s outlook: We lost a lot of seniors who played a lot of minutes, but we do have a pretty big junior class moving up. The newcomers are eager to step up and are keeping up with the speed of the game. The underclassmen are looking to put their stamp on the team. Since I’ve been here, we’ve figured out how to win and how to play in tough games. They are ready to apply that experience to this season.
Coach: Ashlie Lewis, first season
Past three years: 21-19-2 in WVC
Key returning players: Liz Franko, Sr/F; Cheyenne Hunsinger, Sr/F; Diandra Sherman, Sr/M; Marley Mason, Jr/F; Amanda Nole, Jr/M; Haylee Underwood, Jr/F.
Coach’s outlook: Since I’m just starting out, everyone is equal and my best 11 will play. We have a lot of talented players who will see time. I was with the junior high team for three years, then was an assistant varsity coach, so a lot of the team already knows my style. It looks like we’ll have a deep rotation, so I’m going to try to take advantage of that.
Coach: Ashley Liptak, fourth season
Past three years: 12-33 in WVC
Key returning players: Heidi Becker, Jr/F; Corine Peifer, So/D; Danielle Palazzi, Sr/M.
Key newcomers: Emily Bolton, So/F; Svitlana Martynuke, So/F.
Coach’s outlook: We graduated seven last year, so this is a big rebuilding year for us. We have just one senior this year, so this group will get the chance to grow together. We’re young, but we’re getting to know each other and learning our systems. They are soaking in everything we are giving them. And we have two sophomore goalies, so there’s a strong competition in net that should be exciting.
Wyoming Area
Coach: Lunda Comiskey, first season
Past three years: 23-21-1 in WVC
All-stars lost: Jenna Skrinak, All-State honorable mention; Morgan Kane, state All-Academic; Samantha Shiner, state All-Academic.
Key returning players: Serra Degnan, Sr; Sally Deluca, Jr; Abby Thornton, Jr; Gabby Alberigi, Sr; Lexi Coolbaugh, Sr; Lindsay Carey, Jr; Faith Mushinski, Sr; Abby Schwerdtman, So; Kalene Bellas, Sr; Kate Higgins, Sr; Carrie Pozaic, So; Kaylee Rogers, So; Emily Kneeream, Sr; Julianna Scappaticci, So.
Key newcomers: Lauren Perry; Christina Granteed; Jillian Spak; Krystina Stanczyk; Samantha Holcomb; Paige Norton; Abby Hosey; Renee Gluchowski; Ally Bresnahan; Laura Heinzlemeir; Grace Gober; Gianna Gennetts; Bree Bednarski.
Coach’s outlook: We’re taking each day one by one. Striving to get better individually and as a team is our ultimate goal. All the other pieces will fall into place if we keep this in mind.
Wyoming Seminary
Coach: Karen Klassner, 41st season
Past three years: 41-2-2 in WVC
Last District 2 championship: 2011
All-stars lost: AshLeigh Sebia, first team All-American; Ann Romanowski, first team All-State; Kristian Stefanides, first team All-State; Bethany Brody, state All-Academic
Key returning players: Hannah Dressler, Sr/G; Tali Dressler, So/M-D; Emily Granger, Sr/M-D; Julia Grosek, Jr/M-D; Devin Holmes, Jr/M-D; Mallory Lefkowitz, Jr/F; Kristen Mericle, second team All-State, Sr/M; Marra Wagner, Sr/M-D.
Key newcomers: Madison Dowd, Jr/M-D; Morgan Malone, Jr/F-M.
Coach’s outlook: We’re pretty young this season, with a lot of new players in the program. We’re just anxious to get going after having a pretty good preseason. We have Hannah Dressler in goal and that’s huge for us. She got experience last year during the playoffs and helped us to the state title. Mallory Lefkowitz, Devin Holmes, Kristen Mericle and Emily Granger are among the returning players who will have big roles for us.
Wyoming Valley West
Coach: Linda Fithian, 17th season
Past three years: 33-11-1 in WVC
Last District 2 championship: 2011
All-stars lost: Kelcie Hromisin, third team All-American; Kaitlyn Smicherko, All-State honorable mention.
Key returning players: Maura Anistranski, second team All-State, Sr/F-M; Sauni Davenport, second team All-State, Sr/M-D; Casey Dolan, second team All-State, Sr/F-M; Lilly Shemo, Sr/M-D; Nicole Sott, Sr/F-M; Riki Stefanides, Sr/F-M; Alex Gonda, Jr/F-M; Danielle Grega, F; Haley Gayoski, So/D.
Key newcomers: Jocelyn Polney, Fr/G, Julia Usefara, So/M-D.
Coach’s outlook: We have six returning senior starters — obviously they are our leaders and have a lot of experience. We’re also returning two juniors and a sophomore who started last year, so the bulk of our lineup is back. This is a great group that we have and they are a hard-working bunch.
Note: Top honor listed for players.
