Field hockey welcomes turf for home games
By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
There’s an excitement among the Bordentown Regional High School field hockey players, and it’s for more than the new turf fields that will give them some of the best facilities in the state.
The Scotties will be tested early to find out how good they can be this season.
”We’re trying to get the girls to think in the mindset of rise to the occasion and raise their level of play every game,” said Julie Reisig, who begins her second year as head coach at BRHS. “I think we’re moving into having a cohesive team for the opener.”
The Scotties will be on the road when they start the season at Delran on Friday. Their home opener — with any luck on the new turf field — will be Sept. 16 vs. Rancocas Valley. They also face Moorestown in their fourth game.
”They bumped us up,” Reisig said. “We’re playing Rancocas Valley. They’re a solid Group IV team, and we’ve got Moorestown. They’re all bigger schools for us. Not only did we lose the easier schools, but we got some of the bigger schools. We’re the underdog going into most of our games.”
That takes the pressure off Bordentown. The Scotties lost nine seniors — including a standout goalie, Ashley Adams, and Melissa Yanucil, a top defender — from a team that went 8-10 last season.
”It’s less than I would have liked,” Reisig said of the record. “That’s why it’s hard to get a harder schedule. We’re definitely playing up.
”We lost several area all-stars. They did pass along a lot. I feel like there’s enough depth and overlap that we’ll be OK.”
Reisig saw encouraging signs for the Scotties in their pre-season scrimmages, even though they were short-handed for their first one of the year.
”I think the girls looked OK,” Reisig said. “We have some track stars that are really fast. If I can put them where they’re best, that’d be great. I had one sub for both halves so that was a little tough.
”I like the returning varsity players. They’re very strong. They’re working well and incorporating the new players pretty well.”
A trio of senior captains lead the Scotties. Soozin Kang is a midfielder, Lindsey Treptow is a forward/midfielder and Amber Warshany is a midfielder. Other seniors are defense Kaitlin Mallett and Katelyn Gore and midfielder Hea-Ream Lee. The only other returning varsity player is Melanie Hazlett, a junior forward/midfielder. Newcomers to varsity are juniors defense Gabrielle Evans, forward Jessica Luca, goalie Alicia Carthan, midfielder Karson Knudson, midfielder Jennifer Bogner and defense Kaleen Butterfield. Sophomore forwards Emily Meszaros and Cynthia Warshany have moved up to varsity and freshmen defense Koedi Shakir and midfielder/forward Jess Carey are on it in their first year.
”Lindsey Treptow and Melanie Hazlett and Amber Warshany, they’re versatile,” Reisig said. “They’re potent on the line or as mids. I can put them where I need them. We’re more of an attacking team this year. Last year, the games we won, we won decisively.
”We have a new goalie (Carthan). She played pretty well. She’ll be pretty strong for us.”
The Scotties will be relying on a strong counterattack for offense. That also plays into their defensive efforts.
”We have to ratchet up our transition offense and be a team that creates more turnovers,” Reisig said. “If we can do a little more midfield defense, I feel really confident in our attack. We have to create turnovers and capitalize on that. We have the speed to do that. And fortunately my fastest players are also my most skilled.”
They should get even faster when they have the chance to play on their new turf. It will be a chance to showcase the field and their play.
”The girls are excited about this season,” Reisig said. “A lot of them are seniors. It’ll be one of the best facilities in the state. We have a dedicated field hockey field. It’s pretty exciting.”
It’s even a bit more exciting for Reisig, who is seeing the changes in her hometown. After moving from Hightstown’s to Bordentown’s field hockey team last year, she is looking forward to the second season.
”It’s much better transition,” she said. “It’s so much easier this year. This is my town. I taught a lot of them to play when they were 5 years old. It’s like a dream come true. I get to see these girls play instead of just hearing about them from my neighbors.”

