After a very wet and challenging preseason, the Hightstown High School field hockey team is looking forward to the season opener Sept. 9 at Pemberton.
"Despite the weather, which did make things difficult, the girls worked through it," Hightstown Coach Nichole Tomasello said.
Tomasello is entering her third season as the coach at Hightstown High. Last year she guided Hightstown to an 8-8 record. Included in those losses was a first-round loss in the state tournament to Steinert. Hightstown was also defeated in the first round of the Mercer County Tournament by Hun.
Find out what's happening in East Windsorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Hightstown is hoping to do better in 2011. According to Tomasello, the girls on her team are already off to a good start as they got in a lot of playing time in the off-season.
"Most of the returning players, as well as the younger players, have been busy playing field hockey in the off season and they attended camps together as well," Tomasello said.
Find out what's happening in East Windsorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Hightstown has a good group of players, including its three senior captains, Melissa Ladd (midfielder), Samantha Santos (midfielder) and Kelsey Brennan (defense).
Other seniors on the team are Nicole Brooks (defense), Samantha Brooks (offense), Bari Soriano (offense) and Erin Walsh (defense).
The juniors on the team are Nicole Kerr (defense), Rebecca Zahora (defense), Dorothy VonAhnen (goalie), Courtney Prunchak (offense), Randi Kosmides (midfield) and Brianna Perez (defense).
Hightstown also has three sophomores. Carly DeCristofaro plays offense. Amanda Oberg is a midfielder. Kelly Mankowich plays both offense and midfield.
"The girls are excited to get their season started," Tomasello said. "We have a positive outlook on our overall 2011 season and are looking forward to the Mercer County Tournament as well as states."
After making it through an earthquake and a hurricane, just getting on the field and playing is a real pleasure.
"It's been a tough pre-season," Tomasello said. "Through it all, the girls put in a lot of hard work. I think that hard work will pay off for us in the end."
