Bensalem Field Hockey Preview

BENSALEM FIELD HOCKEY PREVIEW

Head coach: Gary Kubik (3^rd year)

Assistant coaches: Shawn Mayer(2nd year) and Taryn Mayer (1st year)

Last year’s record: 7-11 overall, 2-8 in the Patriot Division of the Suburban One League. The 7-win total was the highest win total that Bensalem has had in at least 12 years.

Key returners: Veronica Lennon, Lucciana Krecko, Chloe Masciantonio, Keana Rodriguez, Makayla Dunkin, Ava Hood, Mollie Reilly, Reagan Colgan, Kylie Blank, and Paige Dando 

Strengths: “Veronica Lennon was Honorable Mention in the SOL Patriot Division last year in her sophomore year.  I truly feel that she should have been Second Team.  She completely sures up our backfield as a defensive midfielder and adds some much-needed pop to our outletting.  Defensive players don't have the visible stats that other players have, and it’s my job to get her more on the offensive side of the ball this year.
“Kylie Blank scored six goals last year as a freshman and should show more this year with an increase in playing time.  Kylie plays center forward.  She's just starting her second year playing club field hockey and it really shows.  What a transformation she has made.
“Paige Dando will be replacing Giuliana Pasquarella at attacking center midfield.  Paige just started club ball last year, and her confidence and strength on the ball has been spectacular.  I'm looking for her to step right in and fill in the great void left by Pasquarella.”

Question marks: “We lost 11 seniors last year that played a vital role, none more than, Giuliana Pasquarella, who will continue her play at William Paterson University.  Giuliana was one of the best players that ever played at Bensalem, and we will miss her.  But, to the team’s credit, we believe we have filled many of the holes that those seniors left and look forward to the challenge of this year.”

Outlook: “The goals and outlook for the season are high. We almost doubled our win total from the previous year last year, and we're looking to improve on that again.  We had a 43 percent increase in goals scored last year, from the previous year, and a  25 percent decrease in goals allowed.  We're just looking for improvement every year and hope those positive numbers continue.”