Matlack feels ‘this is the year’ for Vikes

By: David Gurney
   Life hasn’t been easy for the South Brunswick High School field hockey team and head coach Danielle Matlack in the previous five years of existence.
   But it is getting better.
   It’s been a steady incline of improvement for Matlack and company heading into the program’s sixth season, which starts Friday against Old Bridge.
   The fledging program improved from 6-11 in 2005 to 7-8-1 last year, and came to within a game — after tying Monroe and losing to Metuchen — of qualifying for the NJSIAA State Tournament for the first time in program history.
   Matlack hopes the natural progression continues, returning a great wealth of talent and a pair of All-GMC players in hopes of getting the program over the hump and into the state tournament for the first time.
   "That loss to Monroe was tough, but this is the year we’re going to do it," said Matlack, who enters her sixth season at the helm. "We have a very athletic team and a team that is very determined and unified. We have some great leadership this year."
   The leadership Matlack refers to is a group of six seniors, most of which have gone through the program and its different levels. Offensively, the team is led by senior inner Ashley Wandishin, who finished with seven goals and 17 points en route to All-GMC honors.
   She’ll be coupled by senior wing Jess Taralick, as well as senior midfielders Jen Sisco (All-GMC) and Danielle Hudak.
   Alyssa Luck and Laura Pantin round out the senior class in the back, with Luck manning the sweeper position. All six have taken on greater roles in the offseason, taking part in Futures (AAU) play and participating in the strength and conditioning program at the high school.
   "This group of seniors is very athletic, they’ve been through the program and they lead by example," Matlack said. "Every senior has given something very positive to the team. We’re not the most vocal team, but we have a lot of players that just lead by example."
   Matlack expects Sisco and Hudak to be the driving forces in the midfield, with a lot of the team’s success hinging on the two’s play.
   "Hudak and Sisco are the main ones in the midfield and they’ll have to play well this year," Matlack said. "Jen does a lot. She’s one of those players you don’t see in the stats that often but makes things happen. Danielle has stepped up and really kept things together.
   "Hudak has already stepped up into a big leadership role. She’s in great shape and has looked very good in preseason."
   The team also features a strong cast of underclassmen, including juniors Jen Luck (frontline, four goals), Rebecca Dahl (goalie), Carly Bossert (utility), Lauren Nissenblatt (utility), Meygan Nitty (frontline), Corey Webb (back/midfield) and Maggie Ford (back).
   Sophomores include Sam Berk (utility), Jenna Hudak (midfield), Ali Sisco (goalie, back), Kelly Tanikina (frontline), Lizzy Latinsky (frontline) and Bindi Patel (back).
   "We have some field hockey players now, unlike the past," Matlack said. "Before, the players would play a little in the offseason, come out for team and not much else. Now they play AAU, are going to more camps, and are doing much more in the offseason. More kids are playing field hockey, and it helps having a middle school feeder program.
   Stick work is the key for the Vikings, but with the steady improvement and a greater understanding of the sport, Matlack remains confident the team can handle the grueling GMC slate.
   "We’ve seen some improvement on the stick work," Matlack said. "This team can definitely be the team that gets over the hump."