By: Kyle Moylan
In the championship game for the third straight year in 2005, the New Egypt High School field hockey team finally won its elusive Group I title last season with a 2-1 win over Pingry.
While that is quite an achievement, New Egypt Coach Patti Nicholson clearly understands that is the past. Right now, Nicholson is much more interested in how her team will do against Florence in the season opener on September 8 than how it did in its last game against Pingry.
"It’s a new year with new girls," Nicholson said. "We’ve been going for three weeks now (in practices) and I don’t remember hearing one conversation about our state championship. It’s over. This is a new team. These girls have new strengths and weaknesses. That’s the challenge of coaching."
Considering seven starters graduated, "challenge" is a very good word.
"My scorers from last year are all in college, but we put in four goals against Lacey the other day," Nicholson noted. "We’ll see."
Nicholson does have a good core group of four seniors back. In order to better utilize their skill and experience, she will be moving them around to new positions. Heather Garces moves from right midfield to center forward. Margaret Ecke moves from left midfield to center midfield. Lindsay Rajeski moves from left back to center back. Molly Dixon moves from right back to left wing.
Erin Garces (right midfield) and Katie Cornelius (left midfield) are also seniors that played on varsity last year that should play a big role in 2006. Lauren Siegelski (a sophomore left back), Emily Straniero (a junior right back), Lynn Sandford (a senior sweeper) and Sarah Sutton (right wing) should also be in the starting lineup. Maggie Morfin (senior) and Jess Darienzo (junior) are currently in competition for the starting job in goal.
Other seniors that should help New Egypt are Kay Schmidt (back), Jackie Welsh (midfield/back), Jasmine Zuwalski (midfield/back) and Joy Otten (back).
Rounding out the varsity are junior Katie Hamilton (midfield), and sophomores Laura Sandford (midfield), Lindsay Mann (forward) and Casey Hopkins (back).
"I think this group of girls has a lot of confidence," Nicholson said. "Every group of seniors wants to be better than the previous one. I don’t think you’ll see any complacency."
Besides, by the time most of the players reach varsity at New Egypt they not only have played freshman and J.V., they’ve also played at the middle school, in camps and for travel teams. Success isn’t an accident at New Egypt. It’s planned out well in advance.
"We have our championship rings from last year and there will be signs, but that it’s," Nicholson said. "It’s a new season. We’re concentrating on that."
Which is why there may be new rings and signs to come in the near future.
