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Field hockey in the Lower Hudson Valley

Archive for August, 2008

Practice begins Friday, Aug. 22

August
21

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

Now that I have gone out on a limb, I intend to be incognito at games this year through the use of a wig or hat or dark sunglasses or all of the above.

Posted by Tony Pinciaro on Thursday, August 21st, 2008 at 3:10 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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When you think field hockey, you think Lower Hudson Valley. Section 1 is among the most dominant sections in the state, with numerous state championships to call its own. The Journal News and LoHud.com will bring you all the latest news and coverage of field hockey in the Lower Hudson Valley.

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