Palmerton has a new coach, Northern Lehigh will rely on young talent, and plans are in place for Lehighton to achieve successful results.

Those are just some of the stories as the field hockey season begins for Times News area teams on Friday.LEHIGHTONREPLACING THE NET WORTH…Twenty-five of the Indians' goals scored last season were by four of their departed seniors. The top scorers were Allie Rossino (10) and Saige Miller (9).SENIOR SUPERVISORS…"We are looking for seniors - Tea Brownmiller, Allie Rehnert, Elise Johnston, and Grace Stanton - to build a cohesive team and create scoring opportunities. Senior goalkeeper Jessica Ripkey will be counted on to direct our defense," said head coach Karen Wall.CONFIDENCE WITH THE COMERS… Promising newcomers should add to Lehighton's scoring punch. Sophomores MacKenzie Hoats and Olivia Frendt have displayed improved fundamental skills and competitive confidence.STRONG FROM START TO FINISH… The Lady Tribe have followed a plan for strength and endurance training. "We think this will help our players to maintain high performance throughout the lengths of the games," said Wall.RALLY IN THE ROUND… Lehighton seeks to improve upon last season's record. According to Wall, for that to happen, they will have to capitalize on scoring more from the offensive circle.NORTHERN LEHIGHLARGE LOSSES… As coach Jess Schoenberger Frew begins her 13th year as head coach, she will not have 10 players who graduated last year. That list includes Cheyenne Mazzocca, Taylor Herman, Veronica Green, Hayley Pavolko and Colonial League first team selection Britani Pristash.MOVING WITH THE MADISONS… This year the Lady Bulldogs will rely on their team speed, with Becky Barely, Amber Cieri, and Madison Posivak moving the ball up the field. Freshmen newcomers Maddison Cunfer and Madison Amorim will add to the quick attack. "Becky Barely has really good stick skills. She's a college-level player."EXTRA EXPERIENCE AND MORE MUSCLE… To acquire some needed experience, the younger players played in two summer leagues. They also have committed themselves to extra conditioning and practicing.TEACHING TEAM "D"… Northern Lehigh is extremely young this season, with six starting sophomores. Much time in practice is focusing on defending the field. "We need to learn that defense is played as a team and not by individuals," said Frew.DISTRICT DETERMINATION… Despite her team's youth, Coach Frew believes there is enough talent and skill to make the district playoffs. "We should be good enough to get some sloppy wins, but it will be a tough go against the better teams in the league."PALMERTONCLEAN SLATE… Assistants for first-year head coach Taryn Burke are Jessica Ferdinand from East Stroudsburg University and Steph Buck from Bloomsburg. All three have college playing experience that should benefit a young Lady Bomber team.UP THE FIELD… Burke intends to play an up-tempo offensive game with senior forward Trish Dillig, who led Palmerton in scoring last year. "She has great speed," said Burke. Sophomore Saylor Burke, junior Kailyn Kolnik, and freshman Abby Everett will add to the quick attack. As a freshman, S. Burke tallied 10 assists and her coach/mom called her a "great distributor."DIMINISHED DEFENSE… Gone are all three starters from the defensive side of the field. Until the young defense gains experience, the Bombers will rely on the transition game to keep the ball moving toward their opponent's goal.STAMINA WILL BE KEY… With low numbers, Coach Burke said Palmerton's key players will need to "get to an athletic level" to play the whole game. If all the pieces fit, Palmerton hopes to get to a .500 record and qualify for the district playoffs.NORTHWESTERNTHANKS FOR THE MEMORIES... Northwestern lost five players to graduation from last year's team, which qualified for the district playoffs after three years of not making the postseason. They include Haley Dietrich, who is continuing her field hockey career at Belmont Abbey College, Mikaela Koenig, Erika Thomas, Devon Nothstein, and Maria Haddad.THEY'RE BAAAACK... The Tigers return three players who were league all-stars a year ago. Courtney Page, a senior forward, was a Colonial League second-team selection last season. Avery George, a senior defender, and Taylor Page, a senior goalie, were both named honorable mention. Other key seniors include Camryn Beers and Grace Horn.HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION... Northwestern's trip to the playoffs has the program headed in the right direction. "The seniors and many other players have bought into the program, and they are looking to help build it in the right direction," head coach Lissa Opolsky said. "We have many returning players who can contribute as well as new players, so we will be looking to build on our skills and tactics from last year."MORE THAN ONE POSTSEASON?... While the Tigers hope to return to the district playoffs, they are also looking to reach the league's postseason. The team was 8-7-1 in the CL, missing the cut by two-and-a-half games.NOTE: Attempts to contact Pleasant Valley head coach Angela Frantz were unsuccessful.Todd Kress also contributed to this story.