Northwestern captured the District 11 Class 1A title a year ago. The Tigers return a strong group of players hoping for similar success this season.

Elsewhere, new coaches take over at Palmerton and Pleasant Valley.

LEHIGHTON

BIG LOSSES ... The Tribe lost seven starters from last year’s team, which went 11-9. Gone is two-time Times News Field Hockey Player of the Year, center midfielder, Karissa Hough, who is set to continue her career at Hofstra University, left back Aleah Nothstein, midfielder Kaia Slaw, goalies Bean Romito and Ashley Wojton, forward Alison Miller and midfielder Kylie Kresge. The group played a key role in helping the team win a District 11 title in 2018 and advance to the district semis a year ago.

COMING BACK ... Juniors Madison Brown (inner forward), Adriana Hinkle (center midfielder) and senior Alicia Shaffer (inner forward) are among Lehighton’s top returnees this season. “These three communicate well with each other and overall are well-rounded hockey players,” said head coach Vanessa Rimbey. “In the past for us, they have fulfilled the roles of utility players being prized for their versatility and the responsibility as underclassmen to step-up and play several different positions depending on the teams needs. I think now that they are the upperclassmen they are playing in their preferred positions and are able to contribute to helping the rest of the team with their positions and roles on and off the field.”

In addition to that trio, also look for seniors Jenna Trilli (defender) and Madison Becksted (forward) to be key parts of the lineup.

KEEP AN EYE ON ... Freshmen Gabriella Brown (forward), sophomore Faith Yeakel (forward) and freshman Maggie Pagotto (forward) to also see some playing time this season. “They contribute with their speedy offensive attack. Faith is very good at handling pressure within the circle and getting off quick shots,” said Rimbey. “Maggie is really good at creating space for herself to be able to move with the ball.”

Freshmen Addison Chavanic and Kylie Solomon, along with sophomores Jordan Haley and Alyssa Zehner, will contribute to the mid and back field, while junior Shelby Heater will be filling the position as goalkeeper this season.

DIFFERENT LOOK ... Playing as an independent, the last minute schedule changes by the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) and Colonial League hit Lehighton hard, forcing the team to drop and pick up several opponents. “We have about 15 games scheduled at this point, so we are very grateful,” Rimbey said. “Unfortunately, we were dropped from a lot of EPC schools and other school districts outside of District 11. With being Independent, we were probably one of the first teams to be dropped from another teams schedule. They don’t want to risk the chance of being exposed and are not obligated because we are not in their conference. The positive side to being Independents, we were able to pick up teams that were also dropped from EPC schools and add them to our schedule. We are thankful to some Colonial league teams that are semi local to us such as, Northwestern Lehigh, Bangor and Palmerton for adding us to their schedules twice. During regular season we only play a team once because league teams are required to play one another twice, so that will be something new and interesting for the girls.”

UPS AND DOWNS ... As with any team, Lehighton has its share of strengths and weaknesses heading into the season. “I think when this team gets their momentum going together, as one, they do a nice job interchanging and playing off of one another,” said Rimbey “These past few weeks we have put a lot of time and focus on clear communication and helping teammates with positioning. I am expecting to see that hard work translate into their game play. “I feel we are in the same situation as most teams at this point. A majority of the girls have not played against another team competitively, outdoors, since last fall season. We have a really strong freshman and sophomore class this season and they will be contributing to our varsity squad. I think when they get more experience as the season progresses; they will be key contributors on both offense and defense for our team.”

OUTLOOK ... “If these girls get the opportunity to safely finish their season until the end of the last scheduled game, then I say the season was a success,” said Rimbey. “They are eager and ready to get a chance to show what they have been working for all these weeks.”

NORTHERN LEHIGH

BOUNCE BACK ... The Bulldogs will be looking to improve last season’s mark of 5-13. The team will have to do so without starting center fielder Maddison Cunfer, who started every game a year ago but was lost to graduation.

Northern Lehigh head coach Kim Seiler will be counting on Hailey Evans, Hailey Krasenics, Alexia Mankos, Olivia Horninger, Brooke Nonnemacher and Kendall Heiney to be among the team’s leaders this season. “Many of these girls are offense and midfielders,” said Seiler. “They have played together for many years and work well together to bring the ball up the field. Kendall, our goalie is great at communicating with the defense and will continue to have a great save record.

“They are good leaders and care about our team’s success. They have led by example on the field by being unselfish and working together with the underclassman to move the ball up the field.”

STEPPING INTO THE SPOTLIGHT ... Look for freshmen Delaney Szwast and Aricka Creyer to turn their club experience and work over the summer during conditioning and weight training into playing time - and potentially some extra offensive firepower.

HIGHS AND LOWS ... Seiler is cautiously optimistic the Bulldogs will be able to turn the corner this season and take a big step forward. “Although coming back from a tough season last year, we are a totally different team this season,” she said. “We have strength in numbers and have worked hard on our offseason conditioning which will help our end of game play as well as any overtimes. The girls gave up a lot of scoring opportunities last season. This year we have the fire and collective athleticism to get the goals in the cage.

STARTING WITH A BANG ... The Colonial League’s schedule changes have the Bulldogs facing a busy early stretch of games, but Seiler has worked to keep the schedule in perspective. “Our team’s expectations are to work and communicate together to play each game to the best of our abilities,” she said. “Our first week has five games in six days, four of the games are our strongest opponents. We want to come out and show our improvement, hunger for wins and respect for the game.”

OUTLOOK ... “We all just want to play! We want to get started!” said Seiler. “I think most athletes in general are excited to start their sport and show what they have been doing in the offseason. We will be successful when we score goals every game, come up with more wins and stay healthy to make it to any postseason play.”

NORTHWESTERN

SUCCESS TO BUILD ON ... Northwestern went 17-6-1 last season and captured the District 11 Class 1A championship with a 2-1 victory over top-seeded Moravian Academy in an overtime thrille. The Tigers lost in the opening round of States, however, leaving them hunting for a deeper run this season.

EXPERIENCE RETURNS ... One thing that will help this year’s team is that they lost just two seniors from last year’s roster and return with an experienced team boasting nine seniors. The Tigers also have experience on the sidelines with Lissa Opolsky entering her seventh season as the team’s head coach.

RIGHT INTO THE FIRE ... The abbreviated schedule has created a tough opening week for Northwestern. The season opens on the 19th with a game at Wilson before it returns home for games against Palisades and Moravian Academy. Palisades qualified for both the league and district playoffs and Moravian Academy wound up with silver medals in both the Colonial League and in District 11 play a year ago. “It’s going to be an early test for us because we’re jumping right in against some good teams,” said Opolsky. “We’ll get a good look at just where we are early in the season, but I think we’ll come through it okay.”

A NUMBERS GAME ... While COVID-19 made teams make a lot of adjustments, the fall sports program at Northwestern saw higher numbers than usual for players coming out to the voluntary workouts this summer, which were all run with plenty of precautions. “We had more girls out this summer than we’ve ever had, and it was great,” said Opolsky. “When we couldn’t work together, we did Zoom meetings and gave the girls some drills to work on. It was on the honor system, but from the looks of things they all followed through and came in ready to go.”

RETURN TO FORM ... Last year’s district championship was the first for Northwestern Lehigh field hockey since 2004. Under Opolsky, the team has gradually become stronger and winning in districts was a definite milestone. Now, the trick is to turn that into consistency.

“We definitely have a target on our backs, which we knew would happen,” said Opolsky. “You could tell even last season that teams were taking us more seriously. This year we’re returning champions, so we have to expect the competition to play us even harder.”

QUESTION ANSWERED ... In 2018, Northwestern had two top-notch goalies – Taylor Page (Slippery Rock) and Alena Smargiassi (Connecticut) – who split time in goal. A year ago, the spotlight turned to Maxine Hoffman who erased any cause for concern with a strong season in goal. Hoffman is back for her senior season, giving the team a quality player in goal.

PALMERTON

TAKING OVER ... Lauren Michalik takes over as the Blue Bombers’ head coach this season. She was a member of Lehighton’s undefeated (26-0) state championship-winning squad in 2009 and the team that was a state runner-up the following year. “Field hockey consumed most of my teenage years,” said Michalik. “My love for field hockey began while playing on a club team in sixth grade. The experience of playing a sport at the highest level was invaluable.”

Michalik was an assistant with Palmerton’s varsity squad the past two years and volunteered with the school’s junior high team in 2017.

MISSING PIECES ... The Bombers lost three seniors from last year’s team, which went 9-10. “However, those seniors played a huge role in the team,” said Michalik. “Abby Everett was our left halfback who ran her heart out and helped control the midfield. She was a key player in our midfield line. Emily Recker was another essential player in our defense. Her skills, positivity on and off the field, and smiling face will be greatly missed.”

STRONG FOUNDATION ... Palmerton will be looking to the likes of seniors Megan Serfass, Emily Baumgardt, Jill Frank, Abby Reis and Molly Milhalko to lead the way this fall. “They all have their little niches on the field which allows for a strong game to be played,” said Michalik. “Jill and Abby are our full-backs who are strong and communicate with one another to not let those shots happen when in the circle. Molly’s improvement on the forward line gets me so excited for circle play in a game! Molly is someone who wants to keep learning all the time. She is always asking questions and wanting to get better for herself and the team.

“Megan is a great leader who shows up every practice and game ready to go. She is a great role model on and off the field. Megan’s communication and skill on the field are amazing. She is someone who communicates to her teammates at all times, helping them out where to go or what to do if needed. Megan is someone who takes initiative and has been playing for a club team during the offseason, which has really improved her skills to the next level. Emily is another great role model on and off the field. Her speed and strong fundamental skills with the ball and stick allow Emily to run around her opponents. Emily is a team player and supports all her teammates on and off the field. She is someone who will take the first step in helping a younger player and someone who will not hesitate to assist a teammate on the field during a game. This senior class is going to be missed greatly.”

Junior forwards Emma Christman and Ana Recker will also be key contributors this season.

BUILDING BLOCKS ... Look for freshmen Sydney Frantz, Celeste Hoffman and Skylar Kohler to also be key members of the program this year and moving forward. “The freshmen class is small yet mighty.” said Michalik. “I’m looking forward to seeing the growth and improvements every day. They want to be there and learn which is fantastic.”

ANOTHER STEP FORWARD ... Michalik is hoping to get the team over the hump in the postseason, if they are able to get to that point. “Obviously, we want to make it to districts and win districts,” she said. “The past two years I have been assisting this team we have always made it to districts but never past the first round. You can see it in the girls that they are here to win and only win. Now that we officially have a season confirmed, they are ready to go. I want to know that they had fun and enjoyed their time playing. In the end, that is what high school sports are all about. When you add the winning factor in it just makes it all 10 times better. I expect us to go as far and even farther than we have in years past. They have waited a long time for the confirming of the 2020 season and now that it is a go, they are ready to go more than ever.”

PLEASANT VALLEY

LEADING THE WAY ... Corin Owermohle takes over the program this season. She coached school’s middle school team from 2011-19, and played at Pleasant Valley in both middle school and high school. Owermohle also played briefly at Ursinus College before stopping due to injury.

KEY LOSSES ... Owermohle will have to replace Emma Strohl, the varsity goalie from last year’s squad, which went 4-14. “She was a vocal presence on the field and communicated well to the entire team,” said Owermohle. “We also graduated forward Sophia DiFusco, defender Ashley Rundle, defender Lexi Engle, and Lexi Thomas who played anywhere needed; all will be missed as leaders on the team for their willingness to include the younger players and show them things to work on.”

BACK AGAIN ... The first-year head coach will be counting on several veterans to help smooth the transition for the underclassmen. “Senior Briella Kish, with her passion to constantly improve and inspire others to do the same and her ability to play well anywhere on the field, senior Alexis Neri as a key part of our defensive lineup with her ability to clear the ball back to our team, and juniors Nikol Smale and Jordan Kautzsch on our forward line – they have a solid combination of skill and athleticism and work well together to move the ball down the field,” said Owermohle. “Sophomore Mattison Hyland, with her speed and dogged determination to never give up on the ball and always go for the goal, junior Arianna Mulligan in the midfield with her ability to change the field in one hit to get the ball where it needs to be, senior Jillian Donatelli makes the necessary plays to help our team keep possession of the ball, and junior Kayla Charles will be a strong presence on our back line; she is a disciplined player that communicates effectively with the team.”

WATCH OUT FOR ... Junior goalkeeper Kendyl Ramsay will be the varsity goalkeeper now that Strohl has graduated. Senior Vicktoriya Georgieva is returning to play this year after being sidelined last season due to an injury, as is junior forward Candyce Fougere. Sophomore Elizabeth Gouger will be playing a larger role in the midfield this season.

WORKING TOGETHER ... Owermohle likes the team’s dedication and versatility. But she knows it will take time for the group to come together as a unit.

OUTLOOK ... “I’d say it was a successful season if I see consistent improvement throughout, a marked growth in confidence as individual players and as a team out on the field, and if we develop a strong connection between members of the team when they are out there playing,” said Owermohle. “My expectations for this season mirror how I would measure a successful season. I expect the team to improve and get stronger as the season goes on.”