BISHOP EUSTACE CRUSADERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Many of the top players are back for Bishop Eustace, including junior forward Alex Senior, who led the Crusaders with 16 goals and 19 assists on her way to all- conference first-team honors. Senior forward Keira Poyatt is another key offensive player who had 12 goals and seven assists to make the all-conference second team. Senior midfielder Rachel Sobocinski, an all-conference second-teamer, is another playmaker, while junior defender Julia Faiola and junior midfielder Cassie Chapjian are contributors as well. Senior Mia Trottie returns for her fourth year as the starter in the cage. She recorded 188 saves last season and was rewarded with all-conference first-team recognition. Senior Jackie Smith, an all-conference second-teamer, is an important defender in front of Trottie. Other returners expected to have an impact are senior Lauren Kueny, junior Reagan Burke and sophomore Blaire Sparks. Senior transfer Isabella Pavlides will also be counted on to play a big role.
OUTLOOK: The Crusaders fielded a young squad in 2019 but still managed to post a 14-6 record and reach the sectional semifinals before having their streak of sectional titles halted at five. With a talented nucleus in place, they expect to be in contention again this fall.
CAMDEN CATHOLIC FIGHTING IRISH
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Camden Catholic graduated four senior standouts, including its leader in goals and its leader in assists, but a strong roster remains. Sophomore midfielder Olivia Bent-Cole had a fantastic rookie season, recording 23 goals and 11 assists to make the all-state third team and all-conference first team. She will look to become the go-to offensive player this fall. Senior midfielders Laura McCann (11 goals, 12 assists) and Elena Leahy (eight goals, three assists) and sophomore midfielder Ava Moore (six goals, nine assists) all made the all- conference second team and will be sparks offensively as well. Seniors Sophia Conte and Fallon Walsh and juniors Payton Koss, Kelly Campbell and Kaitlyn Didinger are top returners at forward, and key players in the midfield are seniors Jillian Orcutt, Faith Elizabeth Hardy and Kyle Allison Hardy. Junior Gianna Miller, an all-conference second-teamer, leads the defense in front of junior goalie Leah DiRenzo. Sophomore Valerie Concepcion is another experienced goalie.
OUTLOOK: The Irish reached their third straight sectional final last year and emerged with their first sectional championship during that stretch, finishing with a 19-3 record after falling in the state final. They have the talent and determination to stay among South Jersey’s elite teams this fall.
CHEROKEE CHIEFS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior forward Alex Kulinski has been Cherokee’s leading scorer each of the last two years and is primed for a big final season. She had 29 goals and 15 assists as a junior on her way to all-South Jersey and all-conference first-team accolades. Junior forward Isabella Coluzzi scored seven goals and added 15 assists to tie for the team lead with Kulinski. She made the all-conference second team along with junior midfielder Isabella Mele (four goals, six assists), a key player at both ends of the field. Junior forward Emma Wright (10 goals) is another proven scorer and senior Erin Jackson is a top midfielder, while junior Alexa Antonelli and sophomore Ava Jade Dandrea will also contribute. Junior goalie Sarah Crysler recorded 261 saves to make the all-conference second team, and experienced defenders in front of her are juniors Paige Yocumand Anna Donaldson.
OUTLOOK: The Chiefs—who went 8-11-1 with a playoff victory in 2019—have been hovering around the .500 mark in recent years, and this looks like the season they can break through with a winning record.
CHERRY HILL EAST COUGARS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Cherry Hill East graduated its only all-conference player and leading scorer, Julia Cutler. One of the top returners is senior midfielder Aubrey Demurjian, who is capable of becoming the go-to scorer and will also be key at gaining possession in the midfield and contributing on defense. Senior Rebecca Allen is also an important player in the midfield, while seniors Mary Fleischman and Julianne Alcamo are experienced forwards. A host of varsity newcomers will also be counted on to fill out the lineup.
OUTLOOK: The Cougars posted a 3-16 record last year but were competitive in many of their losses. They are hoping their seniors can set a good example for their young players this fall and build a foundation for the future as they move into a new division.
CHERRY HILL WEST LIONS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior midfielder Isabella Sylvester has made the all-conference first team each of the last two seasons and will once again lead the way for Cherry Hill West. Senior Caitlin King, an all- conference second-teamer, is another key player in the midfield, while junior Emily Hazel is a talented forward who scored five goals as a sophomore. Senior forward Eila Zaris will also be counted on for putting the ball in the cage. Seniors Julia Matzcal and Claudia Bricker are veteran defenders, and other returners looking to contribute are junior Naomi Arstone and sophomore Mia Zaris.
OUTLOOK: The Lions continued to make progress as a program last year, as they went 7-13 to match the most wins for a season in the decade. They hope to inch closer to a winning record this fall.
CLEARVIEW PIONEERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Clearview is led by three outstanding seniors who are poised for a huge final season in green and gold. Allie Palumbo is not only a tremendous defender, but she also scored 19 goals last year and led the Pioneers with 32 assists to make the all-state, all-South Jersey and all-conference first teams. She was also a regional All-American and will be continuing her career at the Division I level. Defender Grace Trovato (22 goals, 17 assists), an all-conference first-teamer, is cut from the same cloth as Palumbo, as she makes huge contributions at both ends of the field. The final member of the trio is midfielder Abby Vesey, another all-conference first-teamer and Kent State commit who led Clearview with 33 goals to go with 15 assists. Sophomore forward Darian DeLeo is another offensive threat who found the cage 18 times in her impressive rookie campaign. Senior Kayla Mills, junior Sam Johnson and sophomore Gabby Andres also stand out at forward. Sophomore Ava Lomonaco gained experience on the back line as a freshman and senior Nevaeh Deichert is back as the starting goalie. She was new to the position last year but turned herself into a stellar keeper, recording 74 saves. Other veterans looking to make an impact are senior Arianna Sharkey and juniors Anna Bruno and Sofia Urzillo, while sophomores Bella Cipparone, Riley McCullough, Ryan Remaly, Brielle Sharkey, Soraya Reamon and Christina Unger will push for time as well.
OUTLOOK: The 2019 season was a magical one for the Pioneers, who captured their second sectional title in three years and went on to win the first state championship in program history. They also won a game at the Tournament of Champions and finished with a 22-3-1 record. The expectations will be high once again in 2020.
EASTERN VIKINGS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: It is the dawn of a new era at Eastern following the retirement of legendary coach Danyle Heilig, who led the Vikings to 21 straight state championships and won more than 500 games in her remarkable career. Eastern also graduated several standouts but is happy to welcome back junior forward Ryleigh Heck, an all-state and all-conference first-team selection who exploded for 78 goals and 23 assists in her sophomore season. The North Carolina commit is one of the most potent offensive threats in the country. Junior midfielder Izzy Bianco, an all-conference first-teamer, is another top returner who had 16 goals and 23 assists. She is committed to Louisville. Other proven goal scorers are senior forward Carlee Thompson (15 goals, five assists), senior midfielder Anastasia Lukasheva (10 goals) and junior for- ward Riley Hudson (15 goals, 17 assists). Junior Kylie Dawson—who was chosen for the U-16 national team earlier this year along with Heck and Bianco—is a key player on defense, while sophomore Maura Somers is a promising player in the midfield and senior Grace Ferriolo also returns in the midfield. Other veterans hoping to contribute are seniors Brooke Benson, Ameera Bilgrami, Haley Connor, Cate Kleeman and Paige Santos and junior Tess Herman.
OUTLOOK: The Vikings not only extended their streaks of sectional and state titles to 21 last year, but they also went 21-2 and reached the Tourna- ment of Champions final, with both losses coming to rival Oak Knoll. The program will clearly be different without Heilig’s commanding presence on the sideline, but they will continue to set the bar high.
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC RAMS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Gloucester Catholic graduated its primary scorer and will be counting on players like senior forward Tatum Kearns and junior forward MacKenzie Boyle to pick up the slack offensively. Sophomore Gianna Catarinicchia could also have a bigger role at forward and junior Camyrn Todd is a key player in the midfield. Junior Courtney Moore and sophomores Tiegan O’Neil and Allyssa Ristagno are returning defenders, although a new starting goalie will have to emerge.
OUTLOOK: Last year was a rebuilding one for the Rams, who held their own defensively but had trouble finding the cage. They hope to make improvement this fall under new head coach Liz Amorosi, who steps in to replace longtime coach Pam Leonhardt following her retirement.
HADDONFIELD BULLDAWGS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Haddonfield graduated its top two goal scorers but is happy to welcome back its entire starting defense, led by senior center back Katie Marthins. The all-conference first-teamer and Dickinson College commit anchors a unit that also includes junior back Charlotte Goldman, sophomore back Allie Brown and sophomore goalie Moira Geiger, who made 124 saves in her debut season. Senior midfielder Emily Smart, an all-conference first-team selection, also contributes on defense, as does senior back Jenna Walls. The attack will be paced by senior forward Amanda Meeker (10 goals), another all-conference first-teamer, along with junior forward Abby Reenock (13 goals). Junior forward Katie Kehner found the cage five times, one of them in the state championship game, and sophomore midfielder Gianna Funari makes things happen as well. Other contributors include seniors Amelia Dunn, Mary Kate Murschell, Bella Regina and Audrey Andrus; juniors Maddie McLister and Natasha Moskovitz; and sopho- mores Brynn Bickel, Julie Marthins and Karlie Warner.
OUTLOOK: The Bulldawgs’ success continued in 2019, as they claimed their fifth straight sectional title and made the state final for the fifth consecutive year on their way to a 19-4 record. The talent is in place to make another run, especially once the offense develops.
KINGSWAY DRAGONS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kingsway graduated a stellar senior class but still has a talented core in place. Junior forward Tori Griffiths has led the Dragons in goals and made the all-conference first team each of her first two seasons and it will be exciting to see what she can do as an upperclassman. She had 37 goals and 24 assists as a sophomore. The deep crop of forwards also includes seniors Morgan Klaiss (nine goals, two assists) and Devin Harkins (three goals, 11 assists) and sophomore Ella Stephenson (eight goals, four assists). Junior Peyton Rieger (five goals, 13 assists), an all-conference second-teamer, is a top player in the midfield. The defense is led by senior back and West Chester recruit Emma Turner-Rogozin and junior goalie Maddy Ferry, who both made the all-conference second team. Senior Ali Fink—a Stevens Institute of Technology commit—is another veteran defender along with juniors Erin Gray and Abbey Boyle. Sophomores Colleen Finnan, Allie Patel and Gabby Carcione flashed potential as rookies and will play a role as well.
OUTLOOK: Last year was the second straight season in which the Dragons did not lose a game until running into national power Eastern in the sectional final. They finished with a 20-1-1 record and repeated as Tri-County Royal champions. This is shaping up as another highly successful campaign.
LENAPE INDIANS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Lenape brings back a solid nucleus from last year’s sectional championship team, particularly at the defensive end. Senior goalie Kayleigh Kmet was outstanding in the sectional final and made 146 saves on the year on her way to all-conference second-team accolades. Anchoring the center of the field are juniors Gianna Monaco and Lina Neilson. Monaco, an all-conference first-team selection, is a stalwart on the back line and also contributes to the attack, as evidenced by her four goals and seven assists last season. Neilson, a midfielder and all-conference second-teamer, had 13 goals and 13 assists and will be a key at both ends of the field. Other scoring threats are senior forwards Allie Halfpenny (six goals, two assists) and Tori Sutera (five goals, four assists) and junior forward Bryn Iuliano (nine goals). Junior Abby Niemela is a top player in the midfield and veteran defenders are junior Lauren Conroy and senior Olivia Rosenblatt. Other returners hoping to have an impact are seniors Amy Kim, Derah Carter and Lianna Rhynes; juniors Katelyn Cardinale, Emily Farbaniec and Erika Roura; and sophomore Alyssa Weber.
OUTLOOK: The Indians have been on a roll in recent seasons, including a 15-7 record and their second sectional title in three years in 2019. They have high hopes again this fall.
MOORESTOWN QUAKERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Seven all-conference players return for Moorestown, including first-teamers Margaret Lawler and Ava Cickavage. Lawler, a senior, has been a key defender throughout her career and also contributed five goals and two assists last year. Cickavage, a junior midfielder, was second on the team with 11 goals and led the squad with 10 assists. Junior back Ava Sassano and senior goalie Katie Brodecki (111 saves) both made the all-conference second team and form a staunch defense with Lawler and seniors Caroline Brinkman and Tess Coffey. Senior midfielder Olivia Trasser, sophomore midfielder Ava Tilger and junior forward Gigi Testa also made the all-conference second team and are key pieces of the attack along with senior forward Grace Lynch and sophomore forward Izzy Leese. Junior defender Asha Madison is another returner expected to make an impact.
OUTLOOK: The Quakers’ 14-7 season in 2019 ended in the sectional semifinals, halting their streak of five straight sectional championships. They are eager to begin another run this fall if sectional tournaments are held.
MOORESTOWN FRIENDS FOXES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Moorestown Friends brings back a strong roster highlighted by five all-league firstteam performers. That includes three standout senior midfielders: Lauren Phillips (16 goals, 19 assists), Jordan Obermeier (16 goals, 16 assists) and Bella McCollister (16 goals, 12 assists). Senior Priya Shah (11 goals, eight assists), an honorable mention all-league choice, and senior Isabella Prate (10 goals, four assists) are other key pieces of the attack. The defense is led by junior goalie Ava Carlson (190 saves) and senior back Hannah Wilson (seven assists), who both made the all-league first team as well. Junior Jordan Grabelle also bolsters the defense and junior Kendall Borbi is an offensive playmaker. Lauren Kenny and Olivia Mitchell are senior contributors, while Tia Obermeier and Sumin Kimare promising sophomores.
OUTLOOK: After losing their season opener last year, the Foxes went on an incredible 19-game winning streak and rode it all the way to the sectional final before falling to Camden Catholic. They also captured their first Friends Schools League championship since 2007. With so many top players back in the fold, expectations remain high for 2020.
PAUL VI EAGLES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior midfielder Erin DiSandro has been a key player for Paul VI since her freshman year and it will be interesting to see her progress continue as an upperclassman. She had eight goals and seven assists to earn all-conference first-team accolades as a sophomore, her second straight all-conference honor. Senior Gianna Conti is the Eagles’ other veteran leader. She anchors the defense and repeated as an all-conference second-teamer last year. Senior Abbie Ealer returns as the starting goalie after making 115 saves as a junior, and important defenders in front of her are senior Ella Van Schalkwyk and junior Gianna S trano. Senior Isabella Schoettle and juniors Katie DiGiacomo and Lauren DiDomenico join DiSandro as key pieces of the offense. Other experienced players are seniors Ava Colonna and Alyssa Hollis, while sophomores Katie Gleason, Mae Van Schalkwyk and Sophia Reitano showed promise as rookies.
OUTLOOK: The Eagles went 4-15 last year with a close loss to Holy Cross in the first round of the playoffs. With DiSandro and Conti leading the way, they have the potential to add a few more wins to their record this season.
SENECA GOLDEN EAGLES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Seneca brings back a loaded roster hoping to make a run at a fourth straight sectional title. Leading the way is four-year starter Cassidy Strittmatter, who had 22 goals and 12 assists last season to make the all- state second team and all-conference first team. She is poised for a big final season before moving on to James Madison University. Senior midfielder Maddie Lawlor (six goals, 10 assists), a Michigan State commit, and junior forward Sophia Abate (19 goals, eight assists) also made the all-conference first team. Senior forward Liv Quagliero (11 goals, seven assists) is another key piece of the attack; she made the all-conference second team and will continue her career at West Chester. Senior midfielder Kelsey Corbett, junior midfielder Maddie Epps and junior forward Sofia Fedeli also contribute offensively. The defense is led by senior Devon Webb and junior Tess Strittmatter—both all-conference second-teamers—along with senior Bella Fedeli.
OUTLOOK: The Golden Eagles got hot down the stretch last season on their way to their third straight sectional title, a berth in the state championship game and a 16-8 final record. They will set lofty goals again in 2020.
SHAWNEE RENEGADES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior forward Gianna Marmo is coming off a breakout season in which she scored 16 goals and assisted on seven others on her way to all-conference first-team accolades. She will be a leader for Shawnee this fall. Senior Chrissy Solomen (10 goals) is another talented forward who will continue her career at Monmouth. She made the all-conference second team along with senior Julia Cavicchio (eight goals, three assists), a top player in the midfield. Senior Amanda Frank (seven goals, eight assists) and junior Skylar Santucci (four goals, six assists) are other scoring threats, while seniors Tori DiGennaro and Jessica Wetzel will have an impact offensively as well. Senior Katie Fricke, a James Madison commit, returns as the starting goalie and experienced defenders in front of her are seniors Ava Lovallo and Jesse Masella, junior Bria Williams and sophomore Brooke Summerville. Junior midfielder Melanie Craig is another potential impact player, and returners looking to contribute are sophomores Emily Cavicchio and Quinlyn Moll.
OUTLOOK: The Renegades posted a 13-5-1 record and dropped a 1-0 game to Millville in the sectional quarterfinals last fall. They reach double figures in wins year in and year out, and this season should be no different with a longer playoff run possible.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP MINUTEMAIDS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Washington Township boasts a talented junior class whose members are ready to lead the team after breaking out as sophomores. That includes junior forward Dani Gindville, who had nine goals and 13 assists to make the all-conference second team. Midfielders Grace Kim(10 goals, five assists) and Taylor Knox (five goals, two assists) and forward Izzie Donia (eight goals) are other juniors expected to make major contributions again. The Minutemaids are also excited to welcome back senior forward Gabby Mattia, an all-conference second-teamer in 2018 who is back after missing last season with a torn ACL. Senior Emma Cueva is a veteran defender, although a new starting goalie will have to emerge. Other returners looking to have an impact are juniors Natalie Ambroselli, Lauren Meister and Claudia Milano.
OUTLOOK: Despite fielding a young squad in 2019, the Minutemaids managed an 8-12 record with a playoff victory and were competitive in most of their losses. They have the potential to contend for a winning season in 2020.
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 5 (July 2020).
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