Field Hockey begins 59th season with good returning talent, depth and strong freshmen class

2018 Season Preview

Head coach – Sue Butz-Stavin (43rd season, 919-80-35)

Assistants – Kristin Arnold, Laree Beans, Allison Haas (JV coach)

Last year – 16-0 EPC/26-1 overall, reached PIAA state semifinals, won 29th consecutive District XI Title, won EPC Championship

Home games – Memorial Field

Scrimmages – August 22 vs Crestwood (home), August 29 vs Donegal (away)

Season-opener – August 31 vs Nazareth (home)

Players lost to graduation – Emily Ingalls (11 goals/17 assists, West Chester), Leah Zellner (53g/20a, Iowa), Chloe Tostevin, Alison Johnston, Olivia Krogermeirer (19g/17a, Colgate)

Players returning – Senior F Riley Baughman (45g/23a), senior M Kayla Kisthardt (5g/16a), senior F Joy Muller (7g/6a), senior GK Claire Nielsen (9 goals allowed/20 shutouts), senior B Kacie Patton (9g/21a), senior B Kristen Zellner; Jr. B Kaitlyn Csensits, Jr. B Elizabeth Mazzella, Jr. B Alexa Van Doren, soph. F Annika Herbine (28g/15a)

Newcomers – Soph. F Mackenzie Bruns, Soph. B Madison Bruns, Soph. F/M/B Rebecca Geiger, Soph. GK Bailey Tietz, Fresh. B Kyleigh Faust, Fresh. F Alexis Kociban, Fresh. F Brooke Mancini, Fresh. B Jenna Villeneuve

Season-opener – Friday, August 31 vs Nazareth (3:30 pm, home)

Follow the team on social media – Twitter: @Emmaussports, @EHSFHockey; Facebook: Emmaus field hockey

Coach Butz-Stavin – “For the most part, I’ve been pleased with the first two weeks of preseason workouts. Collectively we need to mature a little bit better and make adjustments on the field to recognize situations and make better decisions . We need to do that a little bit quicker and I think day by day we’re getting better, but we want the kids to think for themselves out on the field.”

“When we are in the defensive mode, the kids thave to check off and find their marks really quick and defend the lines. We also have to use both the width and depth in all directions. There are a lot of little details and I just want to make sure that we are prepared for all different situations throughout the season.”

“We have great depth with this team and I’m really happy with our freshmen group. They’re athletic and field hockey-minded and they are going to push the sophomores from last year.”

“We also have a wonderful coaching staff. Laree Beans (former assistant) is back on with us and it’s great to have her back. Kristin’s main focus is the goalies and Allison is our JV coach. We have coaches with field hockey backgrounds and knowledge and they’re a great asset to the team.”