It just seemed like yesterday that Rye was winning a state championship and then Hudson Valley added its fourth consecutive gold medal. Man, how time flies by.

The 2008 field hockey season will commence Friday, Aug. 22 as the Conference I and Conference II teams begin practice. Conference III will open Monday. Don’t ask me to explain why because I still can’t figure out this crazy system.

Anyway, here a few things, right off the stick:

Lakeland, the 2006 Class A state champ and last year’s state finalist, drops to Class B joining defending state champion Rye and sectional finalist Putnam Valley in what should be an outstanding year, capped by sectionals. Pleasantville, who gave retiring coach Rosemary Sotherden a sectional title, jumps from Class C to Class B. Meanwhile, Hastings drops to Class C.

New faces in new places: Former Brewster coach Emily Fitzgerald is the new Rye head coach, replacing Kevin Kelly who was let go following the 2007 state championship. Kelly is the new Manhattanville coach. … Former Manhattanville player and Pleasantville grad, Kristen Coffey returns to her alma mater, succeeding her former coach, Rosemary Sotherden. … Former Rye assistant and Lakeland alum Niki Berman travels down Route 1 to Rye Neck, replacing Mandy Mahncke. … With Fitzgerald at Rye, Brewster hired former John Jay-East Fishkill player Corin Racicot. Pror to learning of Racicot’s hiring, I asked former Brewster coach and player Genene Morehouse and Brewster softball coach Michelle Gosh if they were considering the job, but they both said ‘No.’ … At Bronxville, coach Courtnie Egan welcomed a son on Aug. 12. Egan is on maternity, but she will be volunteering her time to coach. She will be aided John Jay-East Fishkill grad Jacqueline Deppe, daughter of JJEF coach Barb Deppe, and Bronxville JV coach Andy Liebman known as “Lieby to the players. … Former Somers standout and Pearl River head coach Melissa Heyde is the new Fox Lane varsity coach, replacing Heather Miller.

Based on what I know about the returning players for each team, here is my pre-season top five.
Class A
1. Mamaroneck – In Ellen Williams (back), Cathleen Smith (forward) and Charlotte Gardiner (midfield), the Tigers have three of Section 1’s finest players.
2. John Jay-East Fishkill
3. Arlington
4. Suffern
5. Carmel

Class B
1. Putnam Valley – In center midfielder Ashley Morgan, Putnam Valley possesses Section 1’s finest all-around player and difference-maker.
2. Rye
3. Lakeland
4. Briarcliff
5. Pelham

Class C
1. Bronxville – Speed. Speed and more speed with Jessica Murrer, Caroline Harris, Brooke Gogel and Rachel Kim.
2. Pawling
3. Valhalla
4. Hastings
5. North Salem