Freehold Borough continued its postseason run, while Freehold Township provided the biggest surprise of the 2000 field hockey season.
The Colonials (8-10) used a fast start to continue their postseason streak, led by center midfielder Jackie Forsyth.
Freehold Township (7-7-3), the youngest program in the Freehold district, made a huge jump this fall, going from a sub-.500 program to the state playoffs almost overnight. Sparked by winger Melissa Elsbree, the Pats enjoyed a .500 season.
Forsyth and Elsbree head the News Transcript’s 2000 All-Freehold District field hockey team. Also making the squad are Erin Mount, Jen Kelly and Lisa Orandello of Freehold Borough; Dori Pollaci, Lauren Bruno and Desiree Capriotti of Freehold Township; Megan O’Connell, Kathy Kuras and Amanda Shoffel of Howell; Allison Bartley, Jaclyn Greenstein and Katie Pusz of Manalapan; and Sharon Robinson and Marian Protano, Colts Neck.
Forsyth became the most complete field hockey player that Freehold Borough has produced. The center midfielder did it all for the Colonials, carrying them back into the state playoffs. She took all of the team’s free hits, used her long hitting to trigger a fast break, and her ability to dominate midfield helped Freehold Borough keep pressure on its opponents. Her eight goals and 12 assists were not only tops on the team but among the very best totals in the Shore.
Junior Mount benefited the most from Forsyth’s play making. She had nine goals and six assists as she developed into a scoring threat that demanded attention from defenses.
Forward Orandello also took advantage of Forsyth’s set-ups. Orandello slapped home eight goals and added an assist. She and Mount were the big reasons that Freehold’s offensive production increased dramatically.
Elsbree is one of the area’s best all-around athletes. Also a standout on the basketball hardwood and the softball diamond, Elsbree set a Patriot school record with nine goals and added four assists, putting her among the Shore’s scoring leaders and tops in the district
Manalapan’s Bartley is the first four-year varsity field hockey player in school history. Teams showed the respect they have for Bartley by double-teaming her all year. She remained a force for the Braves and had four assists.
Pusz was Manalapan’s leading scorer. The senior, a three-year starter, notched four goals and assisted on six others.
O’Connell is an outstanding, two-way player. She is a superb play maker whose passing triggers the offense, but she is every bit as valuable as a defender, getting back and breaking up scoring plays. She is a senior.
Shoffel was Howell’s most effective attack player. The senior forward had three goals and four assists
Greenstein’s versatility made her indispensable. The senior played on the front line, back or defense before settling in a midfield where she provided stability. She had a goal and three assists.
Robinson, a senior midfielder, was Colts Neck’s field general. Her two goals and three assists topped the team, but more important than the numbers was her all-around play.
Being able to control the midfield area was critical to Freehold Township’s rise this fall and that began with the play of the defense. Seniors Pollaci and Bruno brought veteran leadership and experience to the backfield and were the players who made the difference.
Sweeper Capriotti did just that for the Pats, sweeping them out of trouble with her defensive talents.
Kelly, the Colonials sweeper, was the link from defense to offense with her ability to play solid defense and move the ball up field.
Senior Kuras was Howell’s immovable object. She was like a stone wall on defense, doing everything, including blocking shots, to protect the Rebel cage.
Protano was among the Shore’s most efficient goalies. Her 80 percent save record marked the second straight season she had stopped 80 percent or more of the shots on goal.
Those earning honorable mention are Lisa Wong and Gina Killeen, Colts Neck; Mia Fabiano, Sarah Miller and Alexis Brizman, Freehold Borough; Elia Covino, Leslie Miller and Meagan Hennessy, Freehold Township; Angela Pensabene, Howell; and Meghan Weigart and Cherly Dale, Manalapan.