The 2011 Express-Times All-Area Field Hockey Team

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

LUCY PIDCOCK

Talented Moravian Academy senior had an outstanding season in winning the Express-Times Player of the Year award. A repeat All-Area first team and Colonial League all-star selection, Pidcock produced 25 goals and 13 assists for a Moravian Academy squad that went 17-6 and defeated previously-unbeaten Bangor in the league playoffs. She'll continue her field hockey career at Davidson University. "She's been a shining star in so many respects," coach Debbie Bross said. "Her leadership is going to be hard to replace."


View full sizeEmily Howell
EMILY HOWELL

Versatile Bangor junior put it all together in helping the Slaters capture the Colonial League South Division title. The Colonial League first team all-star went on a late-season scoring binge to finish with 15 goals and 14 assists. "She's a leader," coach Carol Alfred said. "She's quick. There's nobody quicker and she's probably our most physical player. You talk about a competitor. She's all about 'game.' I remember seeing Emily in elementary school and saying 'I want to see you on the hockey field.' Fortunately, she followed through."


Lindsey Schott
LINDSEY SCHOTT

Outstanding Warren Hills senior capped a great career by leading the Blue Streaks to the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex tournament title. A three-time All-Area first team performer and Skyland Conference Raritan Division All-Star, Schott produced 27 goals and 16 assists this fall. Her college plans are uncertain. "When Lindsey gets the ball inside the 25-yard line she's definitely a game-changer," coach Laurie Kerr said. "She's a scorer. She has a nose for the goal. Teams put two or three people on her and she's still able to finish."


View full sizeTiffany McKenna
TIFFANY MCKENNA

High-scoring Belvidere senior was the catalyst on a County Seaters team which went 15-5 and finished second to kingpin Bernards in the Skyland Conference Valley Division. A first-team Valley Division All-Star, McKenna produced 27 goals and three assists this fall. She hopes to play field hockey in college. Among her choices are Virginia Wesleyan, William Paterson and Delaware Valley. "Even though her stats look a little lopsided, she really became a good distributor this year," coach Kristin Gaitan said. "She uses her entire repertoire."


View full sizeLauren LaDuca
LAUREN LADUCA

Stellar Easton senior was a solid contributor on a Red Rovers team that captured the Lehigh Valley Conference East Division title and advanced to the District 11 Class AAA quarterfinals. The first team LVC All-Star finished with six goals and seven assists. Her college status is uncertain. "She gave us stability," coach Casey Fritts said. "She set up the plays and was very consistent. She's definitely someone that leads by example and the girls followed her actions. She comes to practice and works hard every day."


View full sizeAbigail Bakke
ABIGAIL BAKKE

Bruising Bangor senior and four-year varsity letter-winner was a stalwart on a strong Slaters squad that was unbeaten during the Colonial League regular season. A repeat All-Area first team performer and Colonial League first team All-Star, Bakke contributed 13 goals and two assists this fall. Her 55 career goals and 18 assists rank second in school history only behind Susan Ciufo. She's made a verbal commitment to play field hockey at Lehigh University. "She's a strong girl, very agile and very quick," coach Carol Alfred said. "She has a good knowledge of the game."


Niki Miller
NIKI MILLER

Diminutive Warren Hills junior became a dominant force on a Blue Streaks team that captured the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title. The first team Raritan Division All-Star finished the season with 22 goals and 13 assists. "She didn't score much early on but at the end she really turned it on," coach Laurie Kerr said. "She became more aggressive and confident in her abilities. She can do it all. She was the anchor of our midfield. She distributes the ball and marks up on defense. She's one of those people that recognize what to do on the field."


View full sizeWhitney Kowski
WHITNEY KOWSKI

Hard-nosed Warren Hills senior was a major player on a Blue Streaks team that advanced to the NJSIAA North 2 Group 3 title game. The first team Skyland Conference Raritan Division All-Star had nine goals and 10 assists this season. Her college plans are undecided. "She started as a center back and was a very, very important part of our defense," coach Laurie Kerr said. "As she developed, we realized she had the ability to score so we moved her up. She's our field general and was able to read things very well. She really brought a lot to the table."


View full sizeSarah Brown
SARAH BROWN

Steady Moravian Academy senior was the glue on a Lions team that advanced to the Colonial League and District 11 Class AA title games. The first team Colonial League All-Star played a big role on a Moravian defense that produced 11 shutouts. One of her college choices is Tufts University in Boston, where she hopes to play field hockey. "She's been such a success story," coach Debbie Bross said. "She was a recipient of our Gold Belt award, which goes to an individual that displays sportsmanship and work ethic. She's a wonderful person to be around."


View full sizeAmanda Carbonari
AMANDA CARBONARI

Spunky Bangor senior stepped into the spotlight and had a big season for a Slaters team that shut out 14 opponents and allowed only 12 goals all season. A first-team Colonial League All-Star, Carbonari fulfilled the daunting task of replacing standout defender Stephanie Hahn. Carbonari's college plans are uncertain. "Losing Stephanie was tough but with Amanda stepping in I had no doubts we'd be just fine," coach Carol Alfred said. "She's a good communicator and the kids listen to her. She was definitely a huge part of our team."


View full sizeJen Hylkema
JEN HYLKEMA

Standout Warren Hills senior played an integral role on another outstanding Blue Streaks squad. A Skyland Conference Raritan Division first team all-star, Hylkema anchored the back line on a team that accumulated 12 shutouts this season. Her college plans are uncertain. "She was my security blanket out there," coach Laurie Kerr said. "We don't take her off the field. She's not flashy. She's consistent. You know you can count on her every time. And she's very vocal, very spirited. She gets the kids pumped up."


View full sizeTaylor Irving
TAYLOR IRVING

Energetic Voorhees senior made a huge impact on a Vikings squad that dealt Skyland Conference Raritan Division power Warren Hills one of its two losses this season. The first team Raritan Division All-Star was the team's defensive ace and still contributed eight goals and six assists. She reportedly will not play field hockey in college. "I was privileged to have her this year," first year coach Taylor Webb said. "She was our glue. She trained all summer and came to preseason in very good shape. It's very unique to have a defender with her scoring ability."


View full sizeKimmie Pianucci
KIMMIE PIANUCCI

Agile Voorhees senior produced nine shutouts for another strong Vikings team that finished 13-4 this fall. A repeat Express-Times All-Area first team and Skyland Conference Raritan Division All-Star, Pianucci plans to play field hockey at Columbia University next season. "She trained hard to improve her skills," coach Taylor Webb said. "Her athleticism is incredible. She can dive for a ball then get back up and tell the backs what to do in a matter of seconds. Her clears are very strong and accurate. It's incredible to watch."


View full sizeMary Drabich
MARY DRABICH

Athletic Delaware Valley senior was again a dominant force in the cage. The highlight of Drabich's season was a 13-save performance in a 2-0 upset win at Phillipsburg on Sept. 20. A repeat Express-Times All-Area first team and Skyland Conference Raritan Division all-star, Drabich plans to play field hockey at Rider College. "She was the backbone of our team, our heart and soul," first- year coach Stephanie Cirino said. "She's quick, very aggressive and she covers the entire goal cage. She can anticipate a play before it develops, which is very important for a goalie."


SECOND TEAM

F -- Jacki Hikes Sr. Nazareth

F -- Olivia Fleischer Sr. Bangor

F -- Antoinette Metzler Sr. Voorhees

F -- Lauren Nunes Sr. Phillipsburg

M -- Katherine Kistler Jr. Moravian Academy

M -- Erin Miller Sr. Voorhees

M -- Lauren Visconti Jr. Bethlehem Catholic

M -- Nikki Schott So. Warren Hills

D -- McKenna Kels Sr. Belvidere

D -- Gabby Smith Jr. Northampton

D -- Chelsea Quinn Jr. Easton

D -- Caroline Trimble Jr. Saucon Valley

G -- Casey Kiefer Jr. Bangor

G -- Tori Gollie Jr. Northampton

HONORABLE MENTION

Forwards -- Jr. Michelle Couch, Easton; Jr. Katie Decker, Phillipsburg; Jr. Nicole DeHerde, Belvidere; Jr. Natalie Drelles, Moravian Academy; Sr. Kayla Grater, Warren Hills; Jr. Arianna Grays, Easton; Sr. Stacey Hanisak, Palisades; Sr. Meryah Harding, Palisades; Sr. Megan Healy, Hackettstown; Fr. Lara Heckman, Nazareth; Sr. Priscilla Howell, Phillipsburg; Sr. Haley Martin, Bangor; Jr. Emily Nonnemacher, Northampton; Jr. Alex Rodriguez, Easton; Fr. Jess Towey, North Warren; Sr. Alyssa Whitman, Saucon Valley.

Midfield -- Jr. Emily Boyle, Bangor; Kaitlyn Casciole, Wilson; Sr. Laura Cheatham, Belvidere; Sr. Cat Chen, Voorhees; So. Sara Cinelli, Pen Argyl; Sr. Rebecca Connolly, Hackettstown; Jr. Sara Diacik, Voorhees; Jr. Paige Gross, Liberty; Sr. Kasey Keenan, Belvidere; Sr. Julia King, Northampton; Jr. Eileen Seitz, Freedom; So. Kali Shumock, Liberty; Jr. Katie Yanders, Bethlehem Catholic; Jr. Molly Zgoda, Phillipsburg.

Defense -- So. Alex Barich, Voorhees; Sr. Catherine Brumbaugh, Pen Argyl; Sr. Caitlin Clark, Warren Hills; Sr. Juana Guglielimino, Voorhees; Sr. Jessica Lehr, Palisades; Sr. Rachel Longenecker, North Hunterdon; Jr. Brittany Onesto, Moravian Academy; Jr. Caitlyn Slusser, Delaware Valley; Sr. Taylor Watts, Bangor.

Goalkeeper -- Sr. Felicia Heard, North Hunterdon; So. Lauren Musselman, Freedom; Sr. Becky Rasmuson, Liberty; Sr. Josee Ritter, Belvidere; Sr. Tanya Volkert, Hackettstown; Jr. Katie Wintersteen, Voorhees.

FINAL RANKINGS

REGION TOP 10

1. Emmaus 24-1

2. Warren Hills 22-2

3. Whitehall 20-4-1

4. Southern Lehigh 22-1-1

5. Parkland 15-6

6. Voorhees. 13-4

7. Bangor 16-2-3

8. Moravian Academy 17-6

9. Allen 14-7

10. Easton 13-8

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/12/all-area_field_hockey_first-te.html