By: Kyle Moylan
One of the first things one notices about the state runner-up field hockey team from Allentown High School something that makes the accomplishments of the team even more amazing is the fact it is set to have another great year in 2004.
The players may have been very poised, but that doesn’t change their ages. Of the 20 girls on the roster, 16 get to return.
"I’ll go into the season next year expecting that we’ll get better than we were this year," noted Allentown Coach Maryellen McCarthy, whose team earned a Mercer County Tournament and a Central Jersey title before being stopped in the Group II title game (by Madison, 2-1).
One of the spots Allentown will have to fill is at goalie. Margaret Ryan had seven shutouts, a 1.27 goals against average and .852 saves percentage for Allentown this year.
"She’s just a leader and phenomenal in goal," noted McCarthy. "I never had to worry with her back there. I knew she would do the job."
In all likelihood, Caitlin Ryan, Margaret’s sister, will be the goalie next year. While the team’s backup goalie, Caitlin’s only real varsity time came as a field player this year.
"I think she’ll be fine," McCarthy said. "Because we played her so much in the field, she just has to get the feel back on what it’s like to be a goalie."
Another senior who has played her last game for Allentown is Kristin Kuzma, the center midfielder. Kuzma recorded 10 goals and 16 assists for Allentown this season.
"She’s a real leader on the field," McCarthy said. "She’s leaving big shoes to fill. She always knew the right thing to say or do when things got tough."
Jackie Smith, a senior who had two goals and an assist, will leave a void on the defense.
"She added a lot to the offense and defense," McCarthy said. "It will be tough to fill her spot."
The other senior is Claudia Lilley, also a defender.
"She improved tremendously and did a fine job on defense for us," noted McCarthy.
While those four players will certainly be missed, Allentown is blessed with returnees. Included in that group are the team’s entire front line.
Lindsey Leck, a junior, broke the school and Colonial Valley Conference record with 37 goals this past year. She also had 20 assists.
"She has grown into a terrific talent," McCarthy noted. "The future is very bright for her."
Janine Rini, also a junior, had 21 goals and four assists.
She is very fast and has improved on her dribbling skills," noted McCarthy. "She had a lot of goals this year and I’m looking for her to get better."
Jordan Freese, a sophomore, had seven goals and 18 assists.
"It’ll be excellent to have her two more years," said McCarthy. "She set up a lot of the goals by Janine and Lindsey. She passes and dribbles well."
Melissa Grinkevich, a sophomore that plays midfield and defense, notched three goals and six assists.
"She’s quick and strong and had a tremendous year," McCarthy noted.
Carly Boyce, also a sophomore, plays defense and had three goals and six assists as well.
"She was involved all over the place on the field," McCarthy said. "She has a good head on her shoulders."
Corrie Payson, a sophomore, recorded three goals and an assist. The forward also scored Allentown’s lone goal in the state final against Madison.
"She stays low and works hard," noted McCarthy. "I’m looking forward to her getting even better in the winter and summer."
Samantha Podhurst, a freshman forward, recorded a goal and two assists. Podhurst started on the freshman team, but worked her way up to help out with the varsity.
Katie Carter (goal and assist) and Amy Hierhager (goal) are both juniors that played midfield for Allentown. McCarthy was very pleased with the work of both players.
With juniors Carly Boyce, Rebecca Banuelos and Kaylin VanDoren, and sophomores Shannon Gaum, Alyssa Gentz and Caitlin Conk all coming back, McCarthy is confident the team will have another strong defensive year.
"It’s terrific to know that the front line and the defensive lines are both coming back," McCarthy said.
As a result, a team that came so far in 2003 may be ready to go even farther next year.
"I don’t ever think ‘this will be the year’ in August," noted McCarthy. "As the season progressed and I saw the decisions the team was making, how they moved the ball, how they were stopping and scoring goals, that’s when I started to think this was the year."
Of course, 2004 may also be the year. It could be the year when Allentown earns the second state title in the history of the school. Then again, 2003 was the year when Allentown had a team playing for the state title for only the second time in the history of the school.
A dozen girls from the 1997 team the school’s one state title winner were at the final to cheer on the 2003 squad. This meant a lot to McCarthy.
"It’s a testament to how much the girls got out of it that they’ll come back like that," McCarthy said. "It’s a great feeling as a coach to see that."
Of course with the exception of the score in the final game everything about this season was "great" for Allentown. And the best part of it is this team is so young, almost all of them will get a chance to do it again.

