Hall should have no trouble scoring this year.
By David Heuschkel, West Hartford Press Sports Editor
Last fall, the Hall High field hockey team had its best season in program history.
The Warriors (16-1-1) were CCC North co-champions with Enfield and didn’t lose a game until their final one to Darien in the quarterfinals of the Class L state tournament.
Of the six returning starters for Hall, three are all-conference players.
Bridget McGann scored with 12 goals and had seven assists as a freshman last fall.
Seniors Allie Crawford (13 G, 4 A) and Chloe Nordyk (12 G, 7 A) are also proven scorers. Crawford was an All-State Second Team selection for head coach Cat Hanks, in her fifth season.
Nordyke and senior forward Olivia Birbara (12 goals) are team captains.
“Our offense is basically back,”Hanks said. “There is a lot of speed, power and stick skills helping to bring the ball up the field.”
Defense is another story. The Warriors will have an entirely new unit this season.
“I expect us to still be contenders,”she said. “Our goalie this year was given some experience on varsity and has been working in the offseason to be ready. Our new defensive unit has the skills necessarily to compete.”
Hall plays its season opener Sept. 12 at home against Glastonbury, followed by a tough road challenge the next day against Newtown.
NORTHWEST CATHOLIC
Northwest Catholic’s Sydney Taylor (4) earned all-state honors last year as a junior. Photo credit: David Heuschkel
Bill Mullady, the former longtime coach, has un-retired to coach the Lions. He last coached in 2016 when some of the seniors were freshmen.
Mullady has an experienced team that features nine returning starters who have played together for two years. The best player is Sydney Taylor, a First Team All-State player as a junior last season.
Maeve Mullen, an all-conference selection, is another key returning player along with Isabel Mortillaro, Hayden Neubert, Keagan Ostop, Katherine Hurley, Sarah Lamberty, and Grace Morganthaler.
CONARD
Conard’s Libby Geisler (No. 14) is a captain this year and the Chieftain’s only returning all-conference player. Hall vs. Conard field hockey. Class L state tournament first round. Nov. 7, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)
Conard lost 14 seniors from a team that went 9-7 and lost to Hall in the first round of the state tournament.
Of the returning players, senior Libby Geisler is the only all-conference selection.
Ella DiPippo, Grace Policelli, Caroline Kumpa, Isabella Mocadlo, Zoe Pizzoferrato. and Talia Sarkisian are other players to watch.
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