Field hockey team aims for county finals

All of the pieces, including a highly competent coaching staff and focused, talented student athletes, appear to be in place for another very successful season for the West Milford High School field hockey team.

The Highlanders are scheduled to host Passaic County Tech on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

“This season we are hoping to make it to the county finals once again,’’ head coach Krista Provost said. “We lost to Pompton Lakes last year, 2-1, and it was a heartbreaker. The girls are still holding onto that loss and I know it will fuel us this season.

“In addition, we want to make this a fun and memorable season. We have been talking about how quick the season will go, yet we want to make the most out of it. We discussed planning fun practices and team events so we can grow even closer off of the field.’’

Among the key returning players are senior captains Avery Vacca (center middie), Hayley Allwood (forward), Samantha Krautheim (goalie) and Amelia Pilatowski (right middie) as well as seniors Shelby Durant (forward), Mattie Ralicki (middie) and Aubrey Fritz (middie) and juniors Laurel Space (left back), Vivian Sirnik (right back), Lily Kreutzer (forward) and Ang Colucci (forward).

Sophomores Addy Seidner (forward) and Samantha Ryba (defense) are among the promising newcomers to the varsity level.

“I definitely have seen my four captains really stepping things up since last season,’’ Provost said. “They committed themselves to the team and worked very hard this off-season to make improvements.

“Between club teams, off-season programs offered in West Milford, college overnight camps and working independently, they are the real deal. I want to add that my 11 seniors are a great group of young, responsible and energetic ladies.

“My sophomore and junior classes have put in more work than I have ever seen as far as returning athletes go. While I have a large senior class so I cannot pull too many more up to varsity, the younger group is eager and full of talent. It is very exciting for our future.’’

The Highlanders finished with a stellar overall record of 19-3 and they were 6-0 in NEFHL Division 1 last year. They advanced to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 2 Sectional Tournament, where they were defeated, 1-0, by Hackettstown.

This fall, they will compete in NEFHL Division 1 along with Immaculate Heart, Dwight-Englewood, Pompton Lakes, Passaic Valley, River Dell, Ramsey and Wayne Hills.

“I am very eager to return this season, more than ever; we are returning conference champs,’’ the coach said. “While we are losing our leading goal scorer (Meagan Van Kirk) and a strong defender who held most of our interceptions (Jakki Galella), I am very confident with my core returning varsity starters. I have seven starters returning and they have been training since January in various leagues and programs that were offered.

“In addition to my returning starters, I have five players who saw varsity time last season, substituting in various positions. Samantha Krautheim, is entering her third season as our starting goalie. Avery Vacca, center middie, has been a four-year varsity player. Amelia Pilatowski and Hayley Allwood have also been playing with varsity since their freshman years.

“My core group of returners fully understand what needs to be done and how to handle the pressure of playing in the high-stakes games. We have a larger senior class and are gaining some great people on the varsity field this season. We are still figuring out roles, but these girls are eager to work with the varsity group and be a part of the team. They have great attitudes and team-first minded.

“Charlotte Storch, Chloe Burns and Allie Walker are new to the varsity field, but as I mentioned, they bring something special to this level and I cannot wait to work with them.’’