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Saturday, August 24, 2002     Page: 3B

LEADERS OF THE PACK
   
Here’s the preseason top 10 rankings for Wyoming Valley Conference field
hockey, as compiled by Times Leader sports writer Steve Sembrat.
    1. LAKE-LEHMAN
   
Head coach: Jean Lipski.
   
Last season: 11-0-1, first in Class 2A; 15-1-1 overall vs. WVC; lost to
Wyoming Seminary, 2-1, in District 2 Class 2A championship game; lost to
Wyoming Seminary, 2-0, in PIAA Class 2A state championship game.
   
Leaders of this pack: Carla Chiampi, Sr., Mid./Def.; Lisa Wasser, Sr.,
For./Mid.; Megan DeCesaris, Sr., Mid./Back; Meredith Edwards, Sr., For.;
Tracey Hudak, Sr., goalie; Amy Ruda, Sr., For.; Lauren Lipski, Jr., defense;
Ryan Hoover, Jr., For.; Carrie Stolarick, Jr., For.; Amanda Sagan, So.;
Mid./For.
   
Looking down the road: The lone question for Lehman is on defense, where it
will have to replace all-state halfbacks Lindsay Boris and Gina Coombs, who
graduated. DeCesaris is coming off a knee injury suffered in basketball, but
should be ready to go. Aside from that, the biggest question for the Black
Knights is `Who plays where?’ A number of players are versatile, and finding
the right combination could be a chore. Overall, while winning a District 2
Class 2A title is no easy feat, Lehman has the potential to win that crown and
again challenge for a state title.
   
2. CRESTWOOD
   
Head coach: Elvetta Gemski.
   
Last season: 10-1-1, third in Class 2A, 14-1-2 overall vs. WVC; lost to
Wyoming Seminary, 1-0 in overtime, in District 2 Class 2A semifinals.
   
Leaders of this pack: Kara Partington, Sr., Mid., captain; Melissa Welgosh,
Sr., For., captain; Lyndsy Snelson, Sr., For.; Kiley Morgart, Jr., Mid./Def.;
Caitlin McCurdy, So., Mid.; Kylie Messimer, So., For.
   
Looking down the road: If you’ve ever wondered why in past years Crestwood
coach Elvetta Gemski says it’s an honor just to represent the WVC in the state
playoffs, consider the Comets’ fate last season. Crestwood lost just once in
league play and had a team capable of contending for a state title, but didn’t
get the chance to advance because it lost in overtime to eventual state champ
Wyoming Seminary in the district semifinals. Crestwood returns some quality
players from last year’s squad and has some outstanding younger players who
will make their mark in the WVC this season. That has been a magical mix for
the Comets in the past.
   
3. WYOMING SEMINARY
   
Head coach: Karen Klassner.
   
Last season: 10-0-2, second in Class 2A; 15-0-2 overall vs. WVC; District 2
Class 2A champ, PIAA Class 2A state champ.
   
Leaders of this pack: Samantha Lloyd, Sr., For./Mid., captain; Marissa
Doyle, Sr., Mid./Def., captain; Laura Suchoski, So., For./Mid.; Lindsay Foltz,
Sr., For.; Caroline Blaum, Jr., For./Mid.; Marcy Vanderburg, Sr., Def.; Erin
Kellher, Jr., For.; Tamra Morris, Soph., Mid.; Ali Kornfeld, Soph., For./Mid.
   
Looking down the road: The Sem Femmes graduated some quality seniors from
last year’s state championship team, including first-team All-American
midfielder Lauren Powley. The toughest spots to fill, though, may be ones
occupied by forward Anne Marie Janus, who transferred to Wyoming Valley West,
and goalie Julie Rifkin, who graduated. Injuries have hampered the efforts to
replace Rifkin, and the team needs somebody to step up and score goals.
Seminary has the potential for another great run in the state playoffs, but
will face a rugged battle to earn one of two PIAA Class 2A state playoff
berths available to District 2 teams.
   
4. VALLEY WEST
   
Head coach: Linda Fithian.
   
Last season: 8-0-1, first in Class 3A; 12-1-2 overall vs. WVC, District 2
Class 3A champions; lost 3-0 to Council Rock in first round of PIAA Class 3A
state playoffs.
   
Leaders of this pack: Maribeth Brozena, Sr., For./Mid.; Sara Cordora, Sr.,
Def.; Karleigh Bowen, Sr., Def.; Becca Finkel, Sr., For.; Lauren Stefaniak,
Jr., Mid./Def.; Mary Jean Britt, Jr., Goal; Kelley Smith, Jr., For.; Anne
Marie Janus, Jr., For.; Melissa Stefaniak, So., For.; Sara Confer, So.,
Mid./Def.; Amanda Faust, So., For./Mid.; Katie Martin, So., For.
   
Looking down the road: It may sound contradictory to say Valley West is
only fourth-best in the league but among the elite Class 3A teams in the
state, however, that’s how tough the WVC is, and that’s how good the Spartans
are. They have all the components necessary for a fantastic season. So why
pick them fourth? Lehman, Crestwood and Seminary have won state titles. Valley
West hasn’t … yet.
   
5. LACKAWANNA TRAIL
   
Head coach: Sandy Spott.
   
Last season: 9-3, fourth in Class 2A; 15-4 vs. WVC, lost to Lake-Lehman,
4-0, in District 2 Class 2A semifinals.
   
Leaders of this pack: Alyssa Curmaci, Sr., For.; Kristy Kropa, Sr., Mid.;
Caitlin O’Malley, Sr., Def.; Amber McGoff, Sr., Def.; Ashley Tylutki, Sr.,
Mid.; Amanda Hayduk, Sr., Def.; Matt Ross, Sr., Goal; Adrienne Cali, Sr.,
Def.; Vanessa Rhoades, Jr., For.; Candice Kilmer, Jr., For.; Sam Kropa, So.,
For.; Mallory Pencek, So., Mid.; Chelsea Bruce, So., Mid.
   
Looking down the road: Trail is primed for a great season, as the Lions did
not have a senior on last year’s team and return almost everybody. One thing
Trail must improve upon is scoring. While the Lions piled up 62 goals last
season, they scored just one in games against Crestwood, Lehman and Seminary.
They’ll need to beat two of those teams to make it to the District 2 Class 3A
championship game and advance to states.
   
6. COUGHLIN
   
Head coach: Colleen Wood.
   
Last season: 8-1, second in Class 3A; 9-5 overall vs. WVC; lost to Wyoming
Valley West, 1-0 in overtime, in District 2 Class 3A championship game.
   
Leaders of this pack: Lauren Czerniakowski, Sr., Def., captain; Amanda
Johnson, Sr., Mid., captain; Nicole McCloskey, Sr., Def., captain; Ellen
Michael, Sr., Goal, captain; Kelly Prutzman, Sr., Mid., captain; Lisa Yozwiak,
Sr., For.; Tina Matoski, Sr., Def.; Debbie Wychok, Jr., Mid.; Jess Musto, So.,
For.; Sarah O’Donnell, So., For.; Kristen Watlock, So., For.; Meghan Susek,
Jr., For.; Courtney Lavelle, Jr., Mid./Def.; Courtney Laird, So., Goal; Sarah
Bronack, So., For.; Lindsay Geyer, So., Mid.; Lindsay Smith, So., Def.; Brooke
Krolweski, So., Mid./For.
   
Looking down the road: The Crusaders are looking to pick up from where they
finished off last season. Coughlin’s season ended last year with a 1-0 loss in
overtime to Wyoming Valley West in the District 2 Class 3A championship game.
It was one of the best performances by a Coughlin team, and the Crusaders have
their best players back from that squad. Although Valley West is the team to
beat in Class 3A, the Crusaders are the team with the best shot of beating the
Spartans.
   
7. DALLAS
   
Head coach: Cindy Maier.
   
Last season: 7-5, fifth in Class 2A; 8-9 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Lauren Patton, Sr., Mid., captain; Amanda Coleman,
Sr., For., captain; Megan Riley, Sr., Def.; Kelly Brzozowski, Sr., Def.; Megan
Savage, So., Def.; Ashleigh King, Jr., Def.; Mary Alles, Jr., For.; Hallie
Williams, Jr., For.; Shannon Thomas, Jr., Mid.; Lauren Collini, So., Mid.;
Rosalyn Wentko, Jr., Goal.
   
Looking down the road: It was tough watching Dallas play last season, that
is unless you enjoy watching one player hit the ball as hard as possible and
the others chase it. That has changed, and with some skill to augment the
outstanding athletic ability the Mountaineers possess, they should contend for
a Class 2A playoff berth.
   
8. NANTICOKE
   
Head coach: Lisa Przekop.
   
Last season: 6-6-0, sixth in Class 2A; 12-6-0 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Jillian Heller, Sr., Goal, captain; Cassandra
Prentiss, Sr., Mid.; Shawna Spencer, Sr., Mid., captain; Sarah McGrady, Jr.,
For.; Kristen Danko, Jr., For.; Diane James, Jr., Def.; Jill Bavitz, Jr.,
Def.; Lindsay Thomas, Jr., For.; Kristen Castano, Jr., Mid.; Bryssa Gleco,
So., Mid.; Amanda Prentiss, Fr., For./Def.
   
Looking down the road: This figures to be Nanticoke’s best team in years,
if not ever. The Trojans return their entire starting lineup and will contest
for a District 2 playoff berth. The problem facing Nanticoke is that the team
is in a highly competitive division in which some quality team won’t make the
playoffs.
   
9. DELAWARE VALLEY
   
Head coach: Christine Basalyga.
   
Last season: 6-2-1, tied for third in Class 3A; 9-6-1 overall vs. WVC; lost
to Coughlin, 2-1, in District 2 Class 3A semifinals.
   
Leaders of this pack: Lindsay Sabo, Sr., For., captain; Jess Mabel, Sr.,
Def., captain; Amy Hendricks, So., For.; Shana Markwis, Jr., Mid.; Jean Marie
Sciascia, Jr., For.
   
Looking down the road: Basalyga, a former star at Lackawanna Trail and
Bloomsburg University and former assistant coach at Trail, takes over as
Delaware Valley’s new head coach. She takes over a program that has done quite
well in recent years, and should again be in the hunt for a District 2 Class
3A playoff berth.
   
10. TUNKHANNOCK
   
Head coach: Beth Abrams
   
Last season: 6-2-1, tied for third in Class 3A, 6-8-1 overall vs. WVC; lost
to Delaware Valley, 2-0, in special playoff for District 2 Class 3A berth.
   
Leaders of this pack: Gena Larsh, Sr., Goal, captain; Alicia Antoine, Sr.,
Mid., captain; Jen Bartels, Sr., Def., captain; Sherry Forba, Sr., For.,
captain; Jamie Morrison, Jr., For.; Staci Szychowski, Jr., Mid.; Ashley Ritz,
Jr., Mid.; Amy Leber, Sr., For.; Carolyn Zaleppa, Sr., For.; Andrea Buckman,
Sr., Mid.
   
Looking down the road: For a number of reasons, none of them pleasant,
Tunkhannock went through three coaches last season. So if Abrams goes the
distance in her first year as the Tigers’ head coach, it’s a plus. Tunkhannock
has some promising athletes who could turn into nice players given some
stability within the program. Tunkhannock should contend for a District 2
Class 3A playoff berth.
   
THE REST OF THE PACK
   
Teams not cracking the top 10 are listed by division in alphabetical order.
   
CLASS 2A
   
BISHOP HOBAN
   
Head coach: Kelly Langan
   
Last Season: Played WVC teams in non-conference games. This is team’s first
year in the league.
   
Leaders of this pack: Alexandra Biga, Jr., Goal; Michelle Swiatek, Jr.;
Caitlyn Chopasko, Jr.; Nicole Chiapuzzi, Jr.; Brianne Gallagher, Sr.; Kristy
Gogick, Sr.; Jenniffer Zurek, Sr.
   
Looking down the road: Hoban has seven returning starters (listed above)
and this year’s positions are still being determined. Overall, the Argents
have a promising program that will look to establish itself in an extremely
tough league.
   
BISHOP O’REILLY
   
Head coach: Maureen Berryman
   
Last Season: 1-10-1, 11th in Class 2A; 2-13-2 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Courtney Reap, Sr., For., captain; Erin DeCesaris,
Sr., Mid., captain; Laura Simkulak, Sr., Def., captain; Maria Bustin, Jr.;
Sammy Camoni, Jr.; Jane Clements, Sr.,; Jen Derby, Sr.; Kristin Wagner, Sr.
   
Looking down the road: O’Reilly finished last season with a flourish,
defeating Dallas in its final regular-season game and has some quality
returning players. After going through four coaches in four years, Berryman
returns and that stability should help the Queenswomen.
   
ELK LAKE
   
Head coach: Liz Stackhouse
   
Last season: 4-6-2, tied for seventh in Class 2A; 7-10-2 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Aimee Rezykowski, Sr., Mid., captain; Jessica Dafcik,
Sr., For., captain; Megan Bullock, Jr., Mid.; Makaya Russick, So., Def.
   
Looking down the road: Elk Lake lost seven starters from last season, when
it was very competitive with the league’s top teams. The bulk of this year’s
team is sophomores and freshmen, so there will be a few growing pains.
   
GAR
   
Head coach: Christa Galella
   
Last season: 2-9-1, 10th in Class 2A; 5-11-2 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Amanda Height, Sr., Goal, captain; Mary Kosek, Sr.,
For., captain; Sherri Shimko, Jr., For., captain; Laura Snyder, Jr., For.
captain; Beth Feist, Sr., Def.; Angela Grochowski, Sr., Def.; Kacie Haddock,
Jr., Def.; Chanel Roughsedge, Jr., Def.; Tara Post, Jr., Mid.; Cristina
Decker, Jr., Mid.; Amy Simon, Jr., For.; Kaitlyn Jones, Jr., For.; Nikki Ward,
Sr., For.
   
Looking down the road: The Grenadiers have one of the league’s better
goalies in Height, an alternate for the Keystone State Games Pocono scholastic
field hockey squad, plus a solid group of returning players who give GAR the
chance to improve upon last year’s record.
   
MEYERS
   
Head coach: Sue Elias
   
Last season: 4-6-2, tied for seventh in Class 2A; 7-7-2 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Amber Walko-Ray, Sr., For., captain; Rebecca Conrad,
Jr., For., captain; Tracy Oram, Jr., For., captain; Leah Gulius, Jr., Mid.,
captain; Ivy Daniels, Jr., Def.; Tracy McCutcheon, Jr., For.; Maggie
McLaughlin, Jr., For.; Mary Ellen Lisman, Jr., Mid./Def.; Molly Molone, Jr.,
Def.; Katie Hassel, Jr., Goal.
   
Looking down the road: The Mohawks have 10 returning starters. They’ll
remain competitive with most teams in the league, and could improve upon last
season’s record.
   
MONTROSE
   
Head coach: Sarah Warriner.
   
Last season: 2-8-2, ninth in Class 2A; 4-11-2 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Jen King, Sr., Mid., captain; Abby Rounds, Sr., Def.,
captain; Mary Potter, Jr., For.; Halley Rounds, Jr., For.; Tiffany Palmer,
Jr.,; Kristen Trans, So.; Katie Bath, So., Amanda Turner, So.
   
Looking down the road: The Meteors return a couple of players who did well
last season and could improve upon last year’s record.
   
NORTHWEST
   
Head coach: Chuck Baker.
   
Last season: 4-7-1, eighth in Class 2A; 9-7-1 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Krystal Hardiman, Sr., Mid.; Katie Boiwka, Jr., Mid.;
Chrissy Harvey, Sr., For.; Chrissy Angeli, Jr., Def.; Ellen Howanitz, So.,
Goal.
   
Looking down the road: The Rangers were the most improved team in the
league last season in terms of quality of play. That trend should continue as
Northwest is learning fundamentally sound field hockey under Baker.
   
CLASS 3A
   
ABINGTON HEIGHTS
   
Head coach: Bray Stahller.
   
Last season: 4-3-2, fifth in Class 3A; 9-6-2 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Alissa Gallagher, Sr., Mid.; Kerry Welcome, Sr, Def.;
Laura Remick, Sr., For.; Laura Vitale, Sr., For; Hannah Martin, Jr., Def.;
Megan Butler, Jr., Mid.; Sarah Eagan, Sr., Def.; Rebekah Kane, Sr., Def.; Erin
Burke, So., Mid.; Andrea Schill, So., Def.
   
Looking down the road: Abington should be able to compete with Tunkhannock
and Delaware Valley for a District 2 Class 3A playoff berth.
   
BERWICK
   
Head coach: Wendy Campbell
   
Last season: 1-8, ninth in Class 3A, 2-13-2 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Shawna Galler, Sr., Def.; Holly Shamonis, Sr., Def.;
Kasey Dement, Sr., Goal; Erin Fish, Sr., Goal; Amanda Sarge, Sr., For.; Ashley
Jo Hays, Sr., For.
   
Looking down the road: Berwick’s goal will be to show improvement in
Campbell’s second year as head coach.
   
HAZLETON AREA
   
Head coach: Mary Kelly
   
Last season: 3-6, seventh in Class 3A; 5-12 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Amanda Bezick, Sr., For., captain; Dominique
Dennison, Sr., Def., captain; Candra Stringent, Sr., For.; Laura Makuta, So.,
For.; Sara Baker, So., For.; Kim James, Jr., Def.; Megan Schnaufer, Jr., Goal;
Amanda Scatton, So., Goal.
   
Looking down the road: The Cougars are young, with just three seniors and
four juniors. Their goal is to improve and try to equal last season’s record.
   
HONESDALE
   
Head coach: Dennis Longenecker
   
Last season: 4-4-1, sixth in Class 3A; 9-9-1 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Erin Gill, Sr., Goal., captain; Kristen Schultz, Sr.,
Def., captain; Heather Wertman, Sr., For., captain; Megan Schweighofer, Sr.,
Mid.; Ashley Liptak, Sr., Def.; Carly Savastano, Jr., For.; Kelli Yarrish,
So., Mid.; Sara Wentz, Jr., Mid.
   
Looking down the road: The Hornets graduated Brooke Henderson, the
program’s all-time leading scorer. While they have some quality players
returning, the key will be producing goals.
   
PITTSTON AREA
   
Head coach: Danielle Aiello.
   
Last season: 0-9, 10th in Class 3A; 0-14 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Angela Yuhas, Sr., For., captain; Jenifer Woytach,
Sr., Mid., captain; Kathryn Meranti, Sr., For., captain; Krystle Miller, Sr.,
Def. captain; Mary Kate Zbylicki, Sr., Def., captain; Tabitha Smith, Sr.,
For., captain; Nadine Vassell, So., For; Jessica Donahue, So., For.; Gina
Castellino, So., goal; Katie Searfoss, So., goal.
   
Looking down the road: The Patriots showed a few signs of improvement last
season and will try to build upon that growth.
   
WALLENPAUPACK
   
Head coach: Tanya Conyngham
   
Last season: 2-7, eighth in Class 3A; 2-12-1 overall vs. WVC.
   
Leaders of this pack: Jamie Schmalzle, Sr., Def., captain; Jessica Evans,
Jr., Mid.; Emily Olsheski, Jr., Mid.; Stephanie Wuchter, So., For.; Crystal
Cruz, So., For.; Ali Macklin, Jr., For.; Heather Dean, Jr., Mid.; Michelle
Manzino, Jr., For./Mid.; Dianna Pierce, Jr., Def.; Courtney Conziracci, So.,
Util.; Amy Newcomer, Sr., Def.; Jennifer Pappas, Sr., Def.; Heather Kelly,
Jr., Goal.
   
Looking down the road: Conyngham takes over as head coach and will be
assisted by Gail Parry, who previous coached the Buckhorns and is one of the
WVC’s top all-time coaches, and Tara Mack. Their goal is to improve
Wallenpaupack’s record and competitiveness in the WVC.