Although the Jackson Liberty High School field hockey team lost 12 players from last year’s 17-4 Shore Conference A Central Division championship team, Lions coach Lori Burns is confident that her team will have success in 2010.
The Lions are now playing in the Shore Conference C South Division.
“Our midfield is very fast and in great shape, that’s our strength,” Burns said. “Our attack is doing well, and our defense is marking well and should be strong.”
The Lions will open the 2010 season at home on Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. against Brick Township High School.
The team’s key graduated players included goalie Amanda Cornwall, high-scoring Cori Nuccio, forward Sam Citron and defender Brittany Linke.
Burns said that in rebuilding off a good junior varsity program that developed solid junior and sophomore players last year, it’s a “totally different team. We have a different dynamic. Last year our defense was strong and this year we’ll be quicker in transition.”
Key returning starters include senior captain Christina Valentino (a midfielder), senior forward Jessica Aviles and junior midfielder Erin Bienkowski.
Junior Kaleigh Roselle is breaking in as the Lions’ goalkeeper, and Burns praises her as “aggressive and quick on her feet.”
Senior Leigha Gullotta and junior Valerie Gambino are leading defenders. Senior Linda O’Leary saw a lot of action at forward last season, and sophomore Courtney Titus also looks sharp there. Sophomore Olivia Aviles, Jessica’s sister, is pressing for a start in midfield with sophomore Amy Hickman.
Burns praised her players’ versatility for moving to other spots if needed.
Jackson Liberty lost in the third round of the 2009 Shore Conference Tournament to Ocean Township High School and in the Central Jersey Group IV state tournament to eventual state finalist Wall Township High School. Both teams are on this year’s schedule, along with Lacey and Central Regional.