By:Sean Moylan
Rebuilding years are investments in the future. And after suffering through a two-win building season last year, the Bordentown Regional High School girls’ varsity field hockey team seems more than ready to become a consistent winner this year. Suddenly, the future is now for the Scotties.
After playing all of last year with only four seniors, Bordentown now boasts over a dozen experienced senior field hockey players. Moreover, with last year’s young team, Bordentown head coach Michele Millet had to stress defense to keep games close. In fact, Bordentown lost several low-scoring, one-goal games last year.
Meanwhile, Bordentown’s offense suffered. Millet is determined to have a better offense this year. "We’re focusing on attack," said Millet, who would like all of her midfielders and front line players to have more of an offensive mindset this season.
The new team philosophy has already started to sink in. Laura Stone, a senior midfielder and forward, looks hungry and ready to score more this season. Stone likes playing on the wing. Junior Jaimie Lukacs can play either as a right or left inner and her stick work also looks sharp.
The Scotties spent much of this past summer in camps perfecting their collective games. This is a team determined to have a productive season.
In addition to Stone and Lukacs (a junior), Bordentown has a tremendous core group of returning seniors.
April Brenner (a sweeper supreme), Erin Carroll (a midfielder), Tina Cossaboon (a center half), Danielle DeKovitch (a frontline player), Katie Farmer (who plays the link position), Katie Fisher (an inner on the forward line), Erin Toth (a fullback), Molly Toth (a link), Sandra Cook (a goalie) and Jessica Learn (many positions) are all returning 12th graders. Jill Zazeloff, who was injured last year, will be a senior forward. Andrienne Falconio is a junior goal keeper.
Bordentown has several players who are on the bubble and could spend time on the varsity and junior varsity teams. Sarah Phipps, an 11th grader, could see time as a link. Charlene Lewis, a right wing, should also see varsity action. Lewis is a junior. Junior Marrissa Scaccetti should see time with both squads as a center half.
Last year, Courtney Clemens won an award for her outstanding play as a freshman. This year she could end up being an outstanding junior varsity and varsity player. Bordentown has 10 incoming freshmen players. Of those players, Barbara Robinson, a midfielder looks the most promising in practices.
Bordentown’s new assistant coach is Becky Errickson, who’ll double as the junior varsity coach. Millet likes Errickson’s enthusiasm.
"We’re hopeful with 12 (returning) seniors and experience," said Millet.
These players paid their dues last year. Now its time for them to starting winning again.
