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First Posted: 11/11/2013
Being named to the All-Patriot League team in field hockey is nothing new for Lafayette junior Brittany Blass. She was selected for a third straight season after another solid two-way performance for the Leopards. She was league Rookie of the Year as a freshman.
Blass (Crestwood) led the team in scoring with 13 points on five goals and three assists. She was also a mainstay on defense.
“Since arriving here her freshman year, Brittany has been pivotal to the success the team has had,” coach Jennifer Stone said. “She was voted as a captain by her teammates and has been a tremendous leader.”
The coach feels that Blass is one of the top defenders in the country,
“Brittany is competitive, focused and hard-working and deserves every accolade that comes her way.
The Leopards finished 6-12 but were 3-3 in league play and dropped a 2-1 decision to eventual champion American in the league semifinals. Blass was named to the All-Tournament team as well.
Boston University senior Madeleine Hackett of Shavertown (Wyoming Seminary) was also a Patriot League first-team choice. It was her first selection. She started all 20 games at midfield for the 13-7 Terriers, who were beaten 3-0 by American in the league title game. She had three assists and led a defense that gave up 27 goals with six shutouts.
“Madeleine had a fantastic year and we are so happy that she was honored,” coach Sally Starr said. “She definitely saved her best season for her last and also grew so much as a leader and captain. She’s a true Terrier and we’re sad to see her career come to an end.”
LITTLEFORD HONORED – Keystone senior Samantha Littleford (Nanticoke) was named the Colonial States Athletic Conference first team in women’s soccer after a standout season. The 5-foot-8 midfielder led the conference in scoring with 44 points (19 goals and six assists) and had a conference-high six game-winning goals.
“Sam was tremendous for us the whole season,” coach Noel Cox said. “She proved to be a very dangerous scoring threat but it was her ability to make the other players around her better that carried the Keystone program to its best record (10-5-1) since becoming a Division III member.”
Freshman Brittany Sugalski (Nanticoke) earned honorable mention honors while senior Ashley Smith (Meyers) was Keystone’s Sportsmanship award winner.
PECORA WORKED HARD – Freshman Tyler Pecora (Hazleton Area) had a solid first season running with the Penn College of Technology men’s cross country team. He finished 16th to help the Wildcats finish fourth in the Penn State University Athletic Conference Championships in Dunmore. His 8k time was 33:49. Last weekend, he finished 146th (36:08 for 8k) in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Championship in Syracuse.
“The course (for the USCAA) was really muddy and there were several runners who fell,” coach David Mendez said. “Tyler and the rest of our guys ran a tough race.”
The coach was impressed with the way Pecora practiced and performed in his first season with the Wildcats.
“Tyler is a very hard-working athlete who had some great performances this year,” Mendez said. “He was our third runner all season long.”
SILLIBOY WAS SOLID – Junior Jenna Silliboy (Coughlin) was a key performer on the Maine at Farmington women’s soccer team, which finished 9-7-3 overall and 7-1-1 in the North Atlantic Conference. A defender, she had three goals and an assist with a two-goal effort in a 5-0 victory over Lyndon State.
“Jenna was an integral member of our team,” coach Molly Wilke said. “She brought a tenacity and energy to games and practices that was unmatched. She solidified her starting position at right outside back after playing several games at outside midfield and was one of the most consistent performers for us all season long.”
The Beavers, recording the most league victories for the team since 2007, defeated Johnson State 7-2 in the NAC quarterfinals but saw the season come to an end with a 3-2 loss to Castleton in the semifinals.
MARTIN KNOWS THE GAME – Junior Samantha Martin (Dallas) played in 18 games and started 13 for the Albright field hockey team, which finished 6-13 overall and 2-6 in the Commonwealth Conference. She had a goal and an assist.
“Sam is a true team player,” coach Sarah Brant said. “Her contributions this year went beyond and will continue to be beyond statistics. She offers our team an understanding of the concepts, a sense of work ethic and an overall love for understanding and executing new skills.”
The coach feels that the team looks to Martin for positive energy, a joke and encouragement.
“She is one of the most selfless athletes I have ever had the privilege to coach,” Brant said. “I look forward to her continued success at Albright and beyond because I feel she will become an inspirational and effective coach down the road.”
MIKITISH HELPED KUTZTOWN – Freshman Liz Mikitish (Pittston Area) started all 17 games on defense for the Kutztown field hockey team.
“Liz was a sold defender that always went hard,” coach Marci Scheuing said. “She will just get better and better with some experience. I’m really excited to see her grow over the next three years.”
Sophomore Madeline Dworak (Pittston Area) played in 12 games and started one for the Golden Bears, who finished 7-10 overall and 3-7 in the PSAC.
“Maddi had some injuries that she had to deal with this season,” Scheuing said. “We need her to get healthy so we can use her speed and aggressiveness on the forward line.”
GROMEL A TOP ROOKIE – St. Francis (Pa.) freshman Carly Gromel (Lake-Lehman) was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team in field hockey. The 5-foot-8 back started all 16 games for the Red Flash who finished 8-8 overall and 3-4 in their first season in the A-10.
“Carly had a solid freshman season,” coach Stacey Bean said. “We are really pleased that the coaches in the league recognized that in their voting. She is an intelligent defender who was able to adapt her play from the start of the season and embrace the challenges of competing at this (Division I) level.”
The team also got solid play from four other former Lake-Lehman athletes. Sophomore Selena Adamshick had 12 goals and eight assists for 32 points while junior Nikki Snyder had a goal and a team-high 10 assists. Senior Lottie Chipego and sophomore Michelle Lipski were defenders. Another former Knights player, freshman Tori Frederick, saw limited action on defense.
“Tori (Frederick) and Michelle (Lipski) took Carly under their wing and encouraged her throughout the season,” Bean said. “Her performance in a very physical and talented conference is a great sign of things to come.”