Check out some of the SOL hockey players whose names don’t show up in headlines but who have made important contributions to their teams.
By Mary Jane Souder
Meet Natalie Mitchell, the best player in the SOL whose name you might not know.
The Norristown senior has made a verbal commitment to take her field hockey talents to Providence next year, but for a while, there was some question whether Mitchell would even have a high school team to play on this year.
“During preseason, we had seven girls – that was it,” said coach Rachel Shuster. “I ended up making a call throughout the whole district to try and get some girls to come out.
“We got some more girls, but they had never played before, so we had quite a range. That second week of preseason it was back to the basics. It was showing the girls how to use a stick and things like that. The first couple of weeks I didn’t have an assistant, so the girls – Natalie included – all stepped up to the plate to help. They’ve all been very helpful to teach them the game.”
Shuster – who was given the job the Thursday before preseason was to begin – has especially counted on her senior captains, Mitchell, Emma Hagel and Jennifer Kennedy.
“Natalie has been there every day to try and encourage the girls and keep them going,” Shuster said. “She has been a tremendous help to the team coaching.
“She’s really stepped up to the plate for everything – help for me, help for all the girls.”
When it comes to hockey skills, Mitchell is at the front of the class.
“She can handle the ball very well,” Shuster said. “She has pulls, and she can make it all the way down the field, weaving in and out of defenders.
“She has a very strong shot as well. It’s a shame because if we had a stronger team, she could be scoring every game. She can run, and she can go all game. She tends to stay back as a defensive mid because most of the time we’re on defense. She has the ability to get all the way in there and get all the way back. She’s an awesome, awesome player.”
Shuster, who had as many as 21 players, is down to 16 healthy bodies.
“It’s been up and down,” Shuster said. “Every team has their little drama, but it’s been a little bit more so for us.
“It’s definitely been a challenge. We’re coming together as a team, but it took some time. We made it through the whole season.”
And Mitchell has been leading the Eagles every step of the way.
PW coach Marianne Paprone says: "Natalie has excellent stick skills and is very much a presence on the field. She also seems like a very hard worker and continues to play hard no matter what the score of the game is. With those atttribues, I think she will have continued success at the next level."
Wissahickon coach Lucy Gil says: "Natalie is not just an amazing field hockey player, but she is a great kid. I had the opportunity to coach her during the Keystone State Games over the summer and had a chance to get to know her a bit. She's an awesome person – smart, funny and personable. She's great!"
The best players whose names you might not know…
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Carrie Morgan, Senior Co-Captain, Right Back, Cheltenham
Coach Elaine McGoldrick says: “For the past three years, she played midfield, but we needed a solid defender in the backfield this year, so Carrie willingly and eagerly took over as our most reliable and consistent fullback. Carrie played steadfast, high level defense in every game this year. I have never seen such a solid player who never had a bad game all season. Carrie's style of play isn't flashy, but she is always in the right place to cut off a pass or she keeps the right amount of distance and calculations to make a clean tackle and then she makes a stick-to-stick pass up to her attackers. Out of all of our defense, it was Carrie who was most successful in clearing the ball out of the circle, and as a testament to her character, she took on this role with the serious and determined demeanor of a true leader. Carrie also made three defensive saves in one game, with an alertness and quickness to the ball that makes her so valuable and loved by her teammates.”
Madison Gianelle, Junior, forward, Cheltenham
Coach Elaine McGoldrick says: “Madison is the key to our offensive attack. As an outside attacker, Madison has the speed and skill to take the ball down the field, and play after play, she executed beautiful crosses for the forward line to deflect into the cage. This type of play often kept Madison from receiving the ball to score additional goals during the course of the season, but from watching her maneuver down the field to make these plays and opportunities for the team, it is evident that she loves this role and loves the sport of field hockey. Madison is a serious athlete who is dedicated to improving her stick skills and taking her game to the next level. She currently has six goals and seven assists.”
Sophie Kolkka, Freshman, Midfielder, Plymouth Whitemarsh
Coach Marianne Paparone says: “She has started every game and played every minute this season. She is the first ninth grader I have ever started at mid, she is also our flyer on defensive corners and has been my most consistent player this season. She does a great job carrying the ball, eliminating defenders, as well as distributing the ball. Her competitiveness and skill level has been very impressive this season and I think we be a force at PW for the next three years.”
Courtney Vincent, Senior, Center Midfielder, Upper Dublin
Coach Heather Boyer says: “Courtney does so many things that aren’t recorded as stats in the scorebook that really have made our team successful this year. She has terrific ball handling and passing skills and has been a big key in our transition game, in addition to a wonderful teammate, role model and captain.”
Katie Schauble, Senior, Defense, Upper Merion
Coach Angie Yanocha says: “We all know defenders don't usually receive the recognition they deserve, which is why I would like to recognize Katie. In my opinion, Katie is our unsung hero this season. She's a very consistent player and we can always rely on her to play steady and get the job done when necessary. She's a smart defender and she's learned that patience pays off. She's also a co-captain and has been a great leader on our team.”
Samara Santry, Senior, Right Back, Upper Moreland
Coach Karen Grossi says: “While she may not do anything fancy, she's a strong defender with an awesome push pass. She has the ability to stay composed in "sticky" situations. When we (the coaches) watch Samara play, we are confident that she will get the job done. We believe in her as a leader, a team player, and a solid defender. She is a determined young lady with that extra drive that simply keeps going; her shoes will be difficult to fill next year.”
Rachel Zimmerman, Senior, Forward, Wissahickon
Coach Lucy Gil says: “Rachel is one of those players – she’s playing because she loves to play. This year, for some reason, she came alive. She’s the leading scorer on our team, and she has just been brilliant this year. She gets past defenders, she’s all over the place, and it’s like ‘Where have you been all my life?’”
CONTINENTAL CONFERENCE
Emily Halderson, Junior , Defense, Central Bucks West
Coach Courtney Hughes says: “Emily has quietly had an incredible year helping to hold down the left side of our defense. She was voted captain by her peers as a junior and has shown heart and determination in every game this year. When you look back at the defense, you can count on Emily to be where she's supposed to be, marking who she's supposed to be on, working to stop the opposing right side attack. As the year has gone on, she's been stepping up even more, and taking opportunities to control the ball with strength and ball skills out of the defensive end.”
Kara Whitman, Senior, Midfielder, North Penn High School
Coach Shannon McCracken says: “Kara has been a solid, consistent, player who is contributing both offensively and defensively for us this season. She is a player that is dependable on the field and often comes up with big plays when we need a spark. Kara has good vision of the field, makes hard passes, keeps the ball in the attack end, and tackles back with her stick down. She has one goal and two assists on the season. Kara has a positive attitude and has a great personality!”
Victoria Arnold, Junior, Midfielder, Pennridge
Coach Becky Spahr says: "Victoria is a worker. She plays 100 percent the entire game. I can always trust her to recover for defenders, mark in the circle, sprint up to help offense, double team and stay in every play – all of the parts of the game that require a little extra work and effort.”
Courtney Kwiatkowski, Junior, Defender, Souderton
Coach Lauren Whiteside says: "Courtney has stepped up huge this year into our center back role. She is extremely vocal throughout defense, steps up with power to the ball and is always that extra 'spark' that we need to get the team going. She has been a constant role model for the team and has been a leader by example when we needed someone to step up."
Ali Casciato, Sophomore, Defender, Souderton
Coach Lauren Whiteside says: "Ali has proven to be a great defender this year. She has been a playmaker for us on defense, and her effort and attitude are outstanding. She has stepped up and been a consistent force for us all season long. She has a great ability to see the field and makes connected passes to generate offense for us in the midfield."
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Meghann Feeley, Junior, Bensalem
Coach Amanda Tu says: "Meghann's role on the team had to instantly change due to injuries from midfield to defense. She has transitioned well into her new role and has made key plays throughout the last few weeks."
Alysssa Dalrymple, Bensalem
Coach Amanda Tu says: "Alyssa stepped up during the win against Tennent and was able to shut down key offensive players. She continues to be a key player on our team."
Devon Mela, Junior, Right Mid, Council Rock North
Coach Heather Whalin says: "Devon is one of the big reasons we are so successful this year. She is not always in the stats, or her name in the headlines, but without her contribution, we would not be 15-2 on the season. She is a pleasure to coach and adored by all of her teammates."
Jackie Shragher, Senior, Defender, Council Rock South
Coach Lisa Belz says: “Jackie has great speed, endurance and the ability to anticipate the play to step up on the ball. She is an intense, focused athlete who works hard every day to improve and loves to compete. She currently has 5 goals, 10 assists, and 2 defensive saves.
Jessica Moretti, Senior, Center Back/Center Midfielder, Abington
Coach Amanda Deering says: “Jess is a tenacious, goal-seeking player. She plays center back or center midfield for Abington, but her eyes are always on the goal and how she can help her team score. She transitions the play from defense to offense and uses her teammates as often as possible. Lastly, Jessica's true position is a defender where she highlights her skills and creates numerous turnovers.”
Kalisi Taufalel, Junior, Defense/Midfield, William Tennent
Coach Kaitlyn Rauchut says: “Kalisi entails the power, technique, and push all team need. Her natural athleticism makes her a good player, but her technical skills, execution, vision and power make her a great player. On the defensive end, her talents cannot go unseen.”
Jessie Betz, Freshman, Defense/Midfield, William Tennent
Coach Kaitlyn Rauchut says: “Jessie is a young player that has the grit to get the job on the defensive end. Her one-on-one defense, speed, stick work, and overall presence on the field as a freshman is impeccable.”
About the Author
