The perception in Franklin County might be that the Greenfield High School field hockey team could have a down year.
There are no seniors on the Green Wave roster. There are new players in starting roles.
Junior midfielder Katie Haselton wouldn’t have in any other way.
“A lot of people are counting us out because we lost so many people last year,” Haselton said. “We have to work hard to prove everyone wrong. Our goals are still the same, they are just going to be harder to accomplish.”
Greenfield has won three consecutive WMass championships.
“I like having a bullseye on my back,” Greenfield coach Erin Thayer said. “I think they have heard the word out there that this is Frontier’s year. Greenfield lost everything, they lost everything, they are going to suck. They’ve heard that. I said, ‘Let them think that.’”
Half of the Greenfield team that started last year’s state championship game against Dennis-Yarmouth is gone.
“I think re-identifying who we are,” Thayer said. “We lost a lot of strength. We still have half coming back. Those kids are super young and were able to play in a state final. They’ve had some really good experience and I’ve been impressed with what I have seen.”
For Greenfield to continue its WMass streak, contributions will need to come from new sources.
“We have some brand new kids in brand new spots,” Thayer said.
Haselton is a captain for the Green Wave. The team has some newcomers from other schools joining the program for the 2019 season.
“Growing as a team off the field will definitely be key,” Haselton said. “Just being there for each other on the field, too. Trusting each other if you get beat, someone will be behind you.”
Racquel Provost will boost the defensive unit.
Greenfield does have a lot of inexperience on the front-line as well as at goaltender. Haselton has worked on ball distribution and conditioning over the summer in preparation for the season.
“Providing opportunities for everybody else,” Haselton said. “Definitely feeding the forwards. We have to grow as a team but we have big opportunities as a team in the future.”
Frontier loaded with experience — For the past three seasons, the Red Hawks have lost to Greenfield High School in the WMass finals.
The goal is to bring the championship back to South Deerfield, but the Red Hawks will not take Greenfield or any team lightly in their quest.
“It’s a goal to get back to postseason,” Frontier coach Missy Mahar said. “They’ve been runners-up the last three years so I think it’s something they strive to bring back to Frontier — the championship trophy. But we always keep things in perspective and take it game by game. There’s no guarantee in the postseason.”
Senior midfielder Olivia Vecellio enters the season with 96 points. It’s possible that Vecellio could play in a variety of different positions throughout the season.
“We have a lot of returning players from last year,” Mahar said. “We are looking at how to utilize each player in the most effective way.”
Lily Spencer and Emily DeMaio were second and third on the team in points last season, respectively.
Skyla Burniske is back in net for the Red Hawks, with Ella Flanders and Amanda Fuller also ready to play between the pipes if called upon.
Franklin Tech gets right number at right time — The Eagles did not have enough players during the preseason to field a team.
But school started and a few more athletes trickled in, allowing Franklin Tech the opportunity to attack the competition this season.
“They are upbeat, excited… they want to be there,” Franklin Tech coach Rian Lovett said. “They are looking forward to what’s in store. There are questions of where people are going to play. They are the type of group that doesn’t care where they play, they just want to play.”
Lovett jumped on the school’s intercom system to encourage players to come out and play. The Eagles will run with 13 players this fall.
Hailey Jackson is the captain and will lead the defense for Franklin Tech.
Emmy Thurston, a transfer from Greenfield, will play center-midfield.
“She is going to be my rock in the middle of the field,” Lovett said of Thurston.
Mahar looks to new group — The Senators will look to Aileen Fitzgerald, Gracie Marsh and Hannah Dupont to replace a lot of the scoring that graduated last year.
Abby Henne is the starting midfielder.
Mattie Budine is a captain for the Senators and will pace the defensive effort.
Chris Vezina will slide into net this season.
Group effort to replace Wozniak for Turners Falls — The Thunder’s strong junior class will divide up the responsibilities for replacing the talents of 100-goal scorer Cassidhe Wozniak.
“She is a big loss,” Turners Falls coach Becky Dame said. “But it will force the girls to work together and step up.”
Brynn Tela is one of those juniors looking to step up the scoring this season.
Turners Falls’ full defense returns in Aly Murphy, Taryn Thayer and Jade Tyler.
Murphy is a four-year starter for the Thunder.
Athol’s Lehtomaki looking for breakout — Sadey Lehtomaki showed improvement during her freshman season for the Red Raiders.
It looks like it could get even better for Lehtomaki, according to coach Emily Hall.
“I am going to try and communicate more,” Lehtomaki said. “We definitely are a young team but I think we can pull it off. We have been together since sixth grade — the sophomores.”
Lehtomaki runs with a group of fellow sophomores that have steadily improved since their first season in sixth grade.
The group includes Christa Cucchi, Reily Polana, Sam Kenniff, Abby Kirwan and Avah York.
Mohawk leans on experience — The Warriors have a good core of returning players this season.
Midfielders Isis Moon and Abby Sinistore have the most on-field experience and will take over leadership roles.
A group of forwards — Lexi Williams, Mya Lesieur, Courtney Allen, Caitie Allen and Avery Dupree — will continue to build chemistry on the offensive end.
Pioneer’s near-playoff team returns almost in full — Jennie Fuller will once again be an offensive threat for the Panthers this season.
Fuller will line up with Avery Sargent and Sofia Walker on the front line.
Senior Sydney Unaitis controls the midfield along with Kelseigh Sargent.
Sargent put in work in the offseason to improve in only her second season playing field hockey.
Ella Potee leads the defense.
Athol
COACH: Emily Hall, 3rd season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri County
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 1-14-2
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2010) Lost to South Hadley 6-0 in the Div. 1 quarterfinals.
RETURNING PLAYERS: Junior – Tatum Fox, D; Sophomores – Sadey Lehtomaki, M; Ashley Rouleau, F/M; Reily Polana, M; Christa Cucchi, M; Avah York, F; Sam Kenniff, G; Abby Kirwan, D; Freshman – Julia Benoit, D; Eighth grader – Lilly Rathburn, F;
NEWCOMERS: Eighth graders – Tori Hagelberg, F; Kayla Horrigan, F; Abby Lutz, D.
FC Tech
COACH: Rian Lovett, 2nd season
LEAGUE/DIVISION:Tri County
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 1-12-1
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2009) Lost 6-0 to Minnechaug in Division 1 quarterfinals
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Hailey Jackson, D; Peter Saladino, S; Shelby Cutting, M/F; Juniors – Kyleigh Baleno, G; Addison Stacy, D; Kristen Verdick, D; Sophomores – Jenny Currier, M; Selena Norwood, F.
NEWCOMERS: Sophomore – Emmy Thurston, M; Freshman – Holly Hicks, M; Logan Addison, F; Kiera Steven G/D; Silas Anderholm, D.
Frontier
COACH: Missy Mahar, 18th season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Valley
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-6-3
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2018) lost 2-0 to Greenfield in Division 2 WMass finals
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors – Olivia Vecellio, M; Grace Wesoloski. M; Lily Spencer, F; Cassidy Bardwell, D; Madison Fifield, D; Juniors – Alyson Barnes, F; Amelia Sobieski, M; Sklya Burniske, G; Sophomore – Emily DeMaio, F; Maeve Hult, D;
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Amanda Fuller, G; Sofia Patten, D; Emily Roberts, F; Juniors – Gabi Whitney; Savannah Upton, F; Devyn Prusak, F; Brooke Flanders, D; Freshman – Ella Flanders, G;
NEWCOMERS: Juniors – Macy McGhie, D; Maddy Lustenberger, F; Sophomores – Shelby Clark, F; Chelsea Camp, D; Emily Plasse, F; Emma Clancy, F; Lily Markey, D; Freshman – Rebecca Wallace-West, F; Lila Roche, F.
Greenfield
COACH: Erin Thayer, 14th season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Valley
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 19-3
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2018) lost to Dennis Yarmouth 3-2 in the Division 2 state finals.
RETURNING PLAYERS: Juniors – Katie Haselston, M; Jenna Elwell, F/M; Amber Taylor F/M, Sophomores – Madyson Kuchieski F/M; Kayla Eggsware (M); Heather French, F/M; Racquel Provost D/F; Lucy Postera, (M); Mya Cook, D; Tess Rancourt, D; Freshman – Brielle Widelo D/M; Lilia Kachelmeyer, F.
NEWCOMERS: Eighth graders – Ainslee Flynn, G; Amber Bergeron, G.
Mahar
COACH: Laurie Saisa, 15th season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Bi County
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-7-3
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2018) lost 10-0 to Greenfield in the Division 2 quarterfinals
RETURNING STARTERS: Juniors – Hannah Dupont, M; Aileen Fitzgerald, W; Abby Henne, M; Gracie Marsh, W; Mattie Budine, D; Chris Vezina, D/G;
RETURNING PLAYERS: Juniors – Morgan Barnes, D; Chelsea Vezina, D; Sophomore – Caroline Chase, O;
NEWCOMERS: Sophomores – Robyn Bousquet, D; Lacee Boutell D/M; Dezzary Murray D; Kaitlyn Murray D; Hannah North, D; Cadence Spencer, O; Sophia Whitman, O. Freshman – Isabella Buccaroni, D; Avianna Bouchard, O; Isabella Bisceglia, D/M; Sophia Woods M/O.
Mohawk Trail
COACHES: Kelsey Scranton and Taylor Shippee, 1st season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Bi County
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-7
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2018) Lost 5-0 in the Division 2 quarterfinals
RETURNING PLAYERS: Isis Moon, M; Juniors – Sarah Herzig, D; Abby Sinistore, M; Lexi Williams, F; Sophomores – Stella Clark, D; Avery Dupree, F; Kordaryl Kendall, G; Mya Lesieur, F; Catie Silva, F/M; Freshman – Paige King, M;
NEWCOMERS: Sophomores – Jamie Cook, F; Emily Silva, M/D.
Pioneer
COACH: Sallie Gilliland, 3rd season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri County
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 3-10-2
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2012) Lost to Frontier 2-0 in the Division 2 semifinals
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Ella Potee, D; Jennie Fuller, M/F; Sydney Unaitis, M/D; Athena Fowler-Shaw, G; Freshmen – Laura Kahler, D; Avery Sargent, M/F; Kelseigh Sargent, M/F; Julia Kovalsick F/D; Sofia Walker, M/D; Eighth graders – Kaitlin Trudeau, F; Hailey Haughey, F; Kelly Baird, F.
NEWCOMERS: Sophomore – Kassidy DiGeorge, F; Seventh grader – Riley Thayer, F.
Turners Falls
COACH: Becky Dame, 3rd season
LEAGUE/DIVISION:Bi County
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-7-1
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2018) Lost 7-0 to Frontier in the Division 2 quarterfinals
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Aly Murphy, D; MacKenna Whiteman, D; Juniors – Ceci Wood, M/D/F; Taryn Thayer, D; Jade Taylor, D/M; Olivia Whittier, M; Brynn Tela, F/M; Kaylin Voudren, F; Audrey O’Keefe, D; Juliana Rode, D; Haleigh Greene, G; Paige Sulda, M; Freshman – Lindsay Davenport, F;
NEWCOMERS: Sophomore – Hannah Marchefka, F/M; Freshmen – Brooke Thayer, F; Morgan Dobias, D; Kendra Campbell, F/M; Cady Wozniak, M; Eighth graders – Avery Tela; Charlotte Valle; Holly Meyers; Seventh grader – Ella Guidaboni
