Veteran seniors joined by talented sophomores
By: Rudy Brandl
The Hillsborough High field hockey team will feature an interesting mix of players this season.
Head coach Peach Draper is optimistic that her senior veterans will mesh with a talented group of sophomores who posted a 15-1 record as freshmen last fall. Many of those sophomores will be asked to step in and fill four spots vacated by the graduated starters.
The Raiders have seven starters back in 2006, including their goalkeeper and the entire midfield. Two defenders and one forward also return to Draper’s starting lineup.
"I’m excited," Draper said. "We’ve been working hard in the preseason. We have this amazing group of sophomores. Probably about five of them will start. Then we have some seniors back and they want to have a good year."
One of those seniors is goalkeeper Ellyn Griggs, who is back in the Hillsborough cage for her third varsity season. Griggs has improved with each season and represents a strength of this team. Her twin sister, Lauren, is one of the returning links.
"The Griggs girls went to Futures (field hockey camp) and they both want to play in college," Draper said. "They’re ready to have a good year."
Seniors Gwen Prowse and Katherine Glass-Hardenburg return to the defense and also will serve as captains. Glass-Hardenburg slides over to the center back position vacated by standout Michelle Cilenti. Prowse is back at left back.
Newcomers will occupy the remaining defensive slots. Sophomore Sara Cassimatis will start at right back, with junior Kaitlyn Derewecki and sophomore Dorian Gilmartin-Dzitko expected to see action at sweeper. Gilmartin-Dzitko could also work into the midfield rotation.
Gillian Cardinale, another senior tri-captain, returns to the all-important center link position. She’ll be the primary playmaker and a key scoring threat, especially with a young forward line. Lauren Griggs and junior Danielle Csysz again will flank Cardinale on the right and left sides of the midfield, respectively.
"That’s the strength of the team," Draper said.
The front line is very young and inexperienced. Sophomore Carlin Dunne is back as a starter at right wing. Senior Emily Rothschild was hurt last year but is expected to start on the left side. Junior Victoria Wilson makes the jump from the jayvee squad to take over at center forward.
Other players expected to contribute include seniors Emily Abramson, Allie Bostwick and Jen Garoian on defense, sophomore Kelsey Palmer at link and forward and junior Jen LaPlaca up front. Sophomores Ryan Feeney, Melissa DeLeone and Nicolette Minutillo may also see some varsity action.
"This team is definitely young, but we have some quality seniors coming back," Draper said. "All we keep talking about is the passing game. We have people who can stop the ball and people who can score. We need to perfect our passing game. We play every single game on turf so we should be able to do a better job passing."
The Raiders will face their biggest nemesis right away in Friday’s opening game. Bridgewater-Raritan defeated Hillsborough four times last fall, eliminating the Raiders in the Somerset County and NJSIAA tournaments. The regular season sweep also kept the Raiders from repeating as Delaware East Division co-champs.
"Bridgewater is our biggest rival and that’s the team to beat," Draper said. "They lost their goalie and their leading scorer, but we know they still have a lot of talented girls. It will be evenly matched."
The Raiders have performed well the past two seasons, making the sectional final in 2004 and knocking off rival Hunterdon Central in last year’s state playoffs before losing to B-R. Draper expects the tradition of excellence to continue this season.
"The girls are really motivated," Draper said. "We have a young team, but we’re optimistic."

