Falcon field hockey to rely on veterans

By: Carolyn M. Hartko
   With the inevitable turnover in high school sports, players with experience are like money in the bank. So, with 11 returning starters from last year’s squad, the 2001 Monroe Township High School varsity field hockey team could be considered one of the wealthiest in the conference.
   "I feel very confident," second-year head coach Alexandria Shadell said. "Just losing two girls from last year, we have more experience, so we should be winning more games this season as well as having fun and enjoying ourselves."
   Of the two seniors that graduated last June, only one (link Tricia Gregorin) was a starter. The poise of the returnees should help the team improve on last year’s 4-11 record. Junior top scorer Lauren Scarpa (10 goals) returns at left wing, and senior Heather Walker (five goals, six assists), will be shooting from the right. Junior Danielle Payne will provide excellent support from the center midfield, along with halfbacks Katie Skurka (senior) and Amanda Hayes (junior).
   Senior goalie Kim Mackiewicz will direct the defense, with classmate Bethany Allinder in the sweeper position. Senior Preena Patel will start at right inner, and junior Suzanne Pole is her counterpart. The link positions will be filled by juniors Ashley DiCaro and Kim Jarosiewicz.
   "Kim’s playing link," Shadell said. "She also might be going back to halfback (her job last year), but right now she looks good in the link position."
   Skurka may fill in for Allinder as sweeper occasionally. There are no underclassmen on this year’s varsity. Backup is being provided by three juniors: Alison Baumann and Kristyn Garbarini in the midfield, and Melissa Lordi on defense.
   With only six other Greater Middlesex Conference schools offering field hockey this fall, Shadell was grateful to see more non-conference matches on the schedule. In addition to Manalapan and Hightstown, Monroe has picked up Nottingham, Howell and Hamilton West. But as usual, the most intense rivalry will be among the GMC squads.
   "We should be pretty decent," Shadell said of the outlook for the GMC competition. "South Plainfield’s definitely going to be good this year. I’m not sure about the others, but this season should be pretty good."
   The Falcons got a head start by participating in a tri-scrimmage with Sayreville and Cranford. Monroe beat Sayreville, and tied Cranford 1-1.
   According to Shadell, her squad looked sharp in their first outing. There was one more scrimmage on tap for Wednesday of this week before Saturday’s season opener. Monroe hosts Manalapan on Saturday at 9:30 a.m., and Nottingham will visit after school on Tuesday. The Falcons have their first conference match at Old Bridge next Wednesday.
   According to Shadell, there are two keys to success for the Lady Falcons in 2001.
   "We know that we have more experience, so we’re just aiming for some more goals," the coach said. "We just want to get the ball into the cage. That’s our main goal right there, which should help us win more games, obviously. And for defense, it’s just to work on our markings. As long as we hit that marking we should be good."
   Although this is Shadell’s second year coaching varsity, it is her fourth year with the Monroe field hockey program. She started out with the freshman team, which makes this team special for her.
   "The seniors now were freshmen when I first started," Shadell said. "It’s pretty cool seeing them play their last year, and being their coach again."
   CORNER SHOTS: Shadell has been pleased with the turnout for the program as a whole. There are more than 20 sophomores out for the JV team this fall, and freshman recruiting is going well