Welcome to ‘In The Circle,’ the field hockey blog for the 2007 season.

I have enjoyed authoring the ‘Takedowns’ blog for wrestlng season and sharing the ‘Around The Bases’ blog during softball season with my colleague, Erin Bruehl. Now, I am looking forward to the field hockey season and posting on the blog. I am also looking forward to hearing from the fans, players and coaches. I want to stress one thing though, PLEASE, PLEASE, keep it clean. (You are more than welcome to question me though.) We are not here to bash players, coaches or parents. This blog is to discuss field hockey, intelligently. Thank you.

This is my seventh year as the field hockey beat writer and I always enjoy it. Section 1 field hockey is among the best in the state as evidenced by the numerous state titles won by Section 1 teams, including Lakeland last year.

Even though Section 1 graduated many outstanding players, led by Lakeland’s Melissa Gonzalez, whom coaches consider the best player in Section 1 history, to Lakeland’s Kara Connolly to Mamaroneck’s K.J. Warren to Rye’s Claire Byrne to Putnam Valley’s Kim Kastuk, Section 1 will be strong once again. All you have to do is point to the Hudson Valley scholastic women’s field hockey tea, which won its third consecutive gold medal at the 2007 Empire State Games.

Some of Section 1’s outstanding players this season include Somers’ goalie Amanda Heyde, Lakeland’s quartet of Cassie O’Mara, Caitlin Collins, Chelsea Robinson and Tara McGovern, Rye’s threesome of Colleen Carey, Morgan McCauley and Courtney Burke, Mamaroneck’s Cathleen Smith and Racquel Lividini, Brewster’s Caitlin Conn and North Rockland’s Chrissy Gutenberger. There are many more excellent players who will display their skills on a daily basis. And I can’t wait for the season to begin.

The season will commence Friday with the following games:

R.C. Ketcham at North Rockland – A rematch of last year’s Section 1 Class A first-round game which Ketcham won.

John Jay-East Fishkill at Mamaroneck – A great season-opener for two of Section 1 Class A’s finest. John Jay won state titles in ‘98 and ‘02 while Mamaroneck took the ‘04 state crown and was an ‘05 finalist.

Brearly at Holy Child – The New York State Independent schools champion opens its season hosting Brearly. Coach Barbara Lorys, who won the 1998 Class D state title at Rye Neck, is led by high-scoring forward Paige LaBella and playmaking center mid Mairead Kennelly.

Lakeland at Panas – The defending Class A state champs open at their intra-district rival. Keep an eye on the Lakeland quartet of forwards Cassie O’Mara and Chelsea Robinson, center mid Caitlin Collins and back Tara McGovern.

Good luck to the players, teams, coaches and fans this season.