Redbirds off to 4-0 start under first-year coach Heidi Zeigler.
By: Kyle Moylan
The Allentown High School field hockey team is off to a 4-0 start this season. And about the only thing which is more impressive than the record is the way Allentown has gone about recording it.
Of its four wins this season, three have come in overtime. And the other win was 1-0 over Manasquan in the opener.
"We just like to play in overtime," laughed Allentown’s first-year coach Heidi Zeigler. "Not really. It’s just that the different games ended up that way."
Lindsay Leck scored the lone goal of the match in the win against Manasquan. Allentown was held scoreless in regulation in the second contest against Princeton before Jen Nowak pulled out the win with an overtime goal, assisted by Ali Van Horn.
In a double-overtime game against Ewing, Laura Erb scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory.
Allentown was able to score in regulation against Hopewell Valley this past Friday. Even so, Allentown needed a goal in overtime to pull out a 2-1 win and improve to 4-0 on the season. Nowak scored both goals. Van Horn picked up an assist.
"We’re working on scoring in regulation," Zeigler said. "Two of those games should never have gone to overtime, but I have confidence in my team. We can play a whole game and then continue to control the action in a 7-on-7."
Julianna Mozulay has only allowed a total of one goal in four games this year.
"She’s done a good job, but our defense has made sure that she hasn’t had to face a lot of shots," Zeigler noted.
Amanda Szbanz, center midfielder, and Ali Van Horn have made sure the ball rarely ever even gets deep into Allentown territory.
"We’ve been controlling the action," Zeigler said. "We’ve just had a problem putting the ball in the net."
Allentown is blessed with 10 seniors and five juniors on its squad. The seniors are Abby Cottrell ( back/midfield), Laura Erb (back), Lindsey Ferioli (line), Christie Najecki (line), Jennifer Nowak (line), Juliana Mozulay (goalie), Amanda Szbanz (midfield), Dana Van Hise (midfield), Ali Van Horn (line) and Kim Veltre (line).
The juniors on the squad are Kim Demkowitz (midfield/back), Amanda D’errico (back), Emily Valko (line/midfield), Steph Myerson (line) and Lindsey Hines (line).
Allentown also has three underclassemen on its roster. The sophomores on varsity are Kristen Kuzma (forward) and Margaret Ryan (goalie). The freshman is Lindsey Leck (line).
Zeigler knows that this team as is the norm with Allentown hockey program is expected to win. Those expectations are fine with her.
"It’s a challenge because the girls have gone through three coaches in three years," Zeigler noted. "(But being expected to win) is no pressure. I’m from Pennsylvania and at my school field hockey was always the main sport."
No mistake about, everyone at Allentown this season is used to winning. Just not in this fashion.
"I’d prefer not to (go to overtime every games), but like I tell the girls, a win is a win."

