It was once again a difficult task narrowing down the list of players who will be catalysts for their respective American Conference squads. Below are just some of the players who figure to make an impact. Check back for the ‘Players to Watch’ from the National Conference.
Wissahickon was the class of the American Conference last year, and although the Trojans took a major hit to graduation, the cupboard is hardly bare. The Trojans are still the team to beat in the conference, and they confirmed that with a big win over National Conference co-champion Council Rock North in their season opener on Friday.
Junior Lauren Becker is the latest in what has become a long line of Wissahickon standouts on the hockey field.
“Lauren really, really matured over the summer,” coach Lucy Gil said. “Her play is much more patient, but she’s faster.
“She’s like a general on the field – directing traffic and moving the ball around. Her ball handling skills are amazing, and she’s extremely deceptive. She’ll come up to you one-on-one, and you have no idea what she’s going to do next. She plays a 3-D ball, so it’s up in the air a lot of times.
“She’s our center midfielder, and she’s going to be key for us. She hits the ball well, she defends well, and she knows where to be on the field. She’s so eloquent out there, and it’s just beautiful to watch her play.”
Lauren Becker (Midfield)
- Three-year varsity starter
- First team all-league in hockey last fall and first team all-league in soccer last spring
- Second team all-state
- Member of the U19 Mystx Storm squad that captured the title in the ‘A’ Pool at the 2009 National Hockey Festival
- Competed in the National Futures Tournament in Virginia Beach and invited to the Junior National Camp
- Competed in the 2009 AAU Junior Olympics
- Being recruited by numerous Division One programs
Becker says: “Our expectation is for everyone to come out and bring their top game every time out. It’s all about field hockey. I hope we do well this season and always play our best because you can’t ask for any more than that.”
Others to watch: Gretchen Guaglianone (Jr., Midfield)
After missing out on a district playoff berth for the first time in 15 years last season, Plymouth Whitemarsh is hoping to return to not only district play but also compete for a conference crown. Two players who will be an integral part of that potential run are juniors Mollie Getzfread and Meg McCullough.
Both Getfread and McCullough gained international experience this summer when they traveled to Spain with the European Hockey Federation to compete in Barcelona’s Camp of Excellence for nine days. Both admit it was an eye-opening experience.
“I got to the camp, and I was so scared,” McCullough said. “The stick skills of the Europeans are at a much higher level, and most of the kids I played with were on the national teams for their countries.
“By the end of the camp, I felt like I could actually compete with those players, and it was just a great experience playing co-ed. It really picked up the speed and really improved my skills.”
“It was a lot of fun,” Getzfread said. “We were playing co-ed, and it made me more confident with my stick skills. I realized just because you play with the boys – and yes, they are better, but just because they are better doesn’t mean they’re going to beat you every time. You still have to play up to the best level you can.”
Getzfread has been in PW’s starting lineup since she walked onto the field as a freshman.
“She has had a real passion for the sport,” coach Marianne Paparone said. “She’s very, very quick, and she is also very resilient. If you beat her, she’s right back in the play. We call her the Energizer Bunny. She has very good skills, and she goes full speed from the first whistle to the last whistle.
“She’s very consistent, and she does a lot of things really well. If you need a stop or an interception, she’s there. She distributes the ball and is high energy all the time. She makes the kids around her better.”
McCullough could well be PW’s most improved player this season.
“Meg’s passing is really strong and so is her understanding of the game,” Paparone said. “She has a great shot on goal, and she’s always my example that you don’t have to be big to have a strong shot.
“Her biggest downside is herself. She has such high expectations – she doesn’t think she should ever get beat, but I can really see her maturity this year. She just has a complete passion for the game.”
Mollie Getzfread (Center Midfield)
- First team all-league as a sophomore and third team as a freshman
- Three-year varsity starter
- Attended the Barcelona Camp of Excellence
- Competes with Field Hockey Sports Club squad
- Chosen to participate in the National Futures Championship in Virginia Beach
Getzfread says: “I can’t wait for this year. We already had two scrimmages and did really well in both of them. I think it will be a really good season.”
Meg McCullough (Midfield)
- Second team all-league as a sophomore
- Attended World Camp USA at Swarthmore for fifth year this summer and was chosen to attend the Barcelona Camp of Excellence
- Competed with the Mystx club team for six years
- Competes in Futures and was selected as an alternate for the National Futures Tournament
McCullough says: “I’m very excited about the season. We have 12 players with varsity experience coming back, a whole field that has been playing before, and it’s very exciting.”
Others to watch: Galen Newsum (Sr., Center forward), Gab Fazio (Jr., Left Back), Becky Stiteler (Jr., Goalie)
Upper Dublin lost 12 seniors from last year’s squad to graduation, but one of its returning players –Emily Hitchings – scored 19 goals last season. The opportunistic junior will be counted on to lead a young and inexperienced Flying Cardinal squad this season.
”Last year she did a fantastic job of capitalizing on opportunities that some of our more experienced players created for her,” coach Heather Boyer said. “She was always where she needed to be and did a great job of finishing.
“She spent the winter playing with the Mystx, and coming into the season, the question was – can she create her own opportunities? That question was answered the first day of practice. She has taken her game to the next level. She plays fast but controlled. She looks to set up defenders and beat them. She’s creating opportunities for herself and other players and is very, very smooth - a very finesse player.”
Emily Hitchings (Forward)
- Three-year varsity starter
- Competes with the Mystx club squad and will be traveling to the National Hockey Festival
- Second team all-league as a sophomore
- One of the league’s top goal scorers with 19 goals in 2009
Hitchings says: “I feel as though I need to step up and be a leader since we did lose a lot of people, but I’m also really excited to learn how to play with a new team and the new players.”
Others to watch: Kelly Cross (Jr.)
Others to watch:
Cheltenham: Gabby Szczepanek (Soph., Forward), Emily Hawkins (Fr., Goalie)
Norristown : Sammi Kidd (Jr., Forward), Kelly Barbish (Jr., Forward)
Upper Merion: Amanda McAteer (Soph., Midfield)
Upper Moreland: Deanna Schwartz (Sr., Midfield)
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