Field Hockey Season Preview:Youth will be served in New Egypt

By: Kyle Moylan
   Since it started as a field hockey program, the numbers have come in terms of both players and wins for the New Egypt High School field hockey team.
   New Egypt started as a freshman program in 1999.
   "When I stepped on the field for the first day of practice, I had six kids," noted Patti Nicholson, the only head coach in the history of the program. "I was pulling kids out of the hall to come and play. If you can breathe, come and play hockey (laughs)."
   Regardless of how they got there, the players in the history of the program have combined with the coaches —- Joy Kubilewicz, Sara Bouroult and Katie Nicholson are the assistants now — to do something quite special. New Egypt has never failed to make the state playoffs and has an overall varsity record of 89-19-6. New Egypt has three Group I sectional titles and one state championship. It lost in the sectional final in overtime last year, 2-1, to Bishop Eustace.
   "Starting from scratch, I think we’ve done okay," Nicholson noted.
   While New Egypt should continue to do "okay" under Nicholson’s guidance, the current squad probably closer resembles the ones Nicholson started out with than the more senior-dominated squads of recent seasons.
   "We’re very young, but I’m excited about this team," Nicholson said. "A lot of these girls will return for next year. There are girls trying out new positions. I’m excited to see how it all plays out."
   The senior returning letter winners are Katie Hamilton (midfield) and Emily Straneiro (back). The juniors that have already won a letter are Lindsay Mann (forward; 4 goals), Laura Sandford (midfield), Kaci Hopkins (back) and Lauren Siegelski (midfield).
   Key newcomers are seniors Casey Phillips (forward), Andreanna Mozulay (back) and Cora Delfini (back midfield). The new juniors are Brandi Smith (forward), Jessie Bernstein (forward), Steph Partyka (back) and Kristen Coyne (back/midfield). Katie Francis, a sophomore goaltender, has already made a strong early impression as well.
   "It’s going to probably take a while for everyone to work together," Nicholson said. "Lindsay Mann is the only returning player on the forward line. The other two are up from J.V.. They scored in our scrimmage (a 2-1 loss to Allentown) which was good.
   "This season will be a challenge. Coaching is always a challenge. There are new kids. It’s their time now."
   This new group officially stated practice on August 18. There were informal practices and a senior-run tournament before that. Everything is pointing to New Egypt being ready when the season starts on September 7.
   "I honestly don’t know what they can do," Nicholson said. "They have some talent, they work hard and are enthusiastic. When you put those things together, they should do well."