The Continental Conference boasts considerable talent, and narrowing it down to the conference’s best is an impossible task. Below are just some of the players who figure to make an impact in arguably the SOL’s toughest conference. Check back for the ‘Players to Watch’ from both the American and National Conferences.
Central Bucks South is at the top of the class when it comes to talent. The Titans return all but three players from a starting lineup that not only captured the Continental Conference crown but also won the District One AAA title and advanced to the final four in the state for the second time in as many years.
There are 12 seniors on this year’s Titan squad – three are four-year varsity veterans and the rest have played for three years.
“They know the program, they’re dedicated, and they love field hockey,” coach Christina Ford said. “They seem ready to start their final year of high school and just play together the way they have been playing the last couple of years. They’re hard workers, and they love the game, and that shows out on the field.”
Seniors Maddy Harding and Casey Haegele as well as junior Kayla Kenney are just three of the players that make the Titans such a formidable opponent.
“Casey Haegele and Maddy Harding are smart players with great field hockey skills,” Ford said of her senior midfielders. “They really support the midfield and transition the ball well and are able to lead from their positions in the midfield.
“Kayla Kenney is the little sparkplug on the forward line who is always in the right spot at the right time. She has improved so much even from last year. She came into a new program last year and just did tremendous with her 22 goals.
“They all play field hockey all year round. It’s their number one sport, and they make the team work well together.”
Madison Harding (Midfield)
- Competed in Futures the past six years and on the club circuit for eight years.
· Member of the U19 Mystx Storm squad that captured the title in the ‘A’ Pool at the 2009 National Hockey Festival and also won the National Indoor Tournament at Virginia Beach in March.
· Made a verbal commitment to accept a field hockey scholarship to Villanova University.
· Selected to the Junior High Performance squad.
· Received all-league and all-state first team honors
Harding says: “We’re all so excited for the season. We’ve all been doing this together for so long, and it doesn’t feel like it’s ending this year. We know each other so well – we pretty much know where everyone is going to be at all times, and we’re used to how each other plays. There’s pressure to live up to what other people expect this year, but we expect it of ourselves as well.”
Casey Haegele (Midfield)
· Member of Mystx club team since 12 years old
· Selected to compete in the National Futures Tournament in Virginia Beach this summer
· Second team all-league selection 2009
Haegele says: “A lot of us have been together since our freshman year. We have always been pretty good, but this year we’re really jelling together. I think it’s going to be a great year.”
Kayla Kenney (Forward)
- Competed in National Futures Tournament in Virginia Beach this summer and earned the title of Futures Elite for 2010-11.
· Selected to attend the U.S. Junior National Camp where she was chosen as the first alternate for the U17 US Junior National Team.
· Member of the U16 Mystx Storm club squad that captured the title in the ‘Z’ Pool at the 2009 National Hockey Festival
· Top goal scorer in Continental Conference in 2009 with 21 goals
· First team all-league selection
Kenney says: “Our motto for this season is ‘One More Game.’ It will take one more game for CB South to make it to the state final we just missed last year. That’s our goal. It’s going to take hard work, but that is what we are all about. We started off with a win against Neshaminy, and we are looking to go forward from there!”
Others to watch: Colleen Kempf (Sr., Forward), Kelly Hamilton (Sr., Defense)
Last season, North Penn twice extended CB South to overtime before falling 2-1. The Maidens are hoping this is the year they will be able to take that next step and not only challenge for a conference crown but win it.
“CB South has had our number for a while now, but I do think we should be able to compete,” coach Carrie Jankowski said.
The Maidens return a solid nucleus from last year’s successful squad, and at the top of the class is senior Elizabeth Fedele, a member of the U-17 U.S. National squad who anchors the Maidens at center mid.
“What has always set her apart from everyone is that she loves field hockey, and she has committed herself to be the best field hockey player she can be,” Jankowski said. “I think that she’s gotten even better this year because she competed with the U-17 team.
“She does everything well, and she’s a strong leader, a strong player. She has great stick skills. I do feel she’s the most talented field hockey player in our league in terms of stick skills and just her all-around game.”
Elizabeth Fedele (Midfield)
- Made a verbal commitment as a sophomore to play field hockey at the University of North Carolina
- Involved in Futures since seventh grade
- Competed on the international circuit since the summer after ninth grade
- Traveled to Holland with the U.S. National U-16 squad as a sophomore
- Member of the U.S. National U-17 squad that competed in the Pan American Games in Uruguay in March 2010
- First team all-league and all-state
Fedele says: “I’m so excited about the season. At practice, everyone on the team wants to do everything for our team to be the best. We all really, really want to win and have a great year. I think it will be so much fun.”
Others to watch: Macie Hauck (Sr., Back), Jan Ikeda (Sr., Defense); Emilie Ikeda (Jr., Midfield)
Last year Souderton finished in a tie for second with Hatboro-Horsham in the Continental Conference standings. The Indians are hoping to once again contend this year, and one of the key players will be senior Alex Atiyeh.
“She is trying to improve her game and work with her team – there are good combinations between Alex and Kirstin Russell in the back and with Alayna Brown and the forwards up front,” coach Mary Ann Harris said. “She’s dangerous in the goal area, and she’s working hard to improve the defensive part of her game. Alex really likes the game, and she’s going to do well for us and is going to be one of our key players.”
Alex Atiyeh (Midfield)
- Competed on the club circuit for four years, most recently with the Mystx
- Traveled to National Hockey Festival with Souderton Strikers
- Made a verbal commitment to accept a field hockey scholarship to Drexel University
- First team all-league
Atiyeh says: “It’s exciting being in a leadership position, and I’m looking forward to having a successful season with my team. We have to play our game, do our best not only as individuals but also as a team.”
Others to watch: Kirstin Russell (Sr., Defense), Alayna Brown (Jr., Forward), Taylor Yoder (Jr., Midfield)
Others to watch:
Central Bucks East: Melissa Remmey (Sr.), Jamie Schloterer (Sr.), Brittany Meyer (Sr.), Emily Vasey (Jr.), Shannon Devlin (Jr.)
Central Bucks West: Alex Miller (Sr., Midfield), Heather Zezzo (Soph., Midfield)
Hatboro-Horsham: Courtnee Daley (Jr., Attack), Kasey Gelhaus (Sr., Midfield), Caroline Hagan (Jr., Midfield), Julie McKay (Jr., Attack), Maddie Wagonfeld (Jr., Goalie)
Pennridge: Jenna Anderson (Sr., Midfield/Back), Amanda Perricone (Sr., Goalie), Sarah Yerk (Jr., Midfield)
Quakertown: Stephanie Zischang (Sr., Defense); Courtney Heverly (Jr., Forward)
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