Field hockey phenoms occasionally emerge from season-to-season, who tilt their teams toward the favorable chance of winning games.
The upcoming season has a handful of those types of athletes ready to crush last year’s overall records.
FAN has picked 10 teams, which we think will perform similarly, or even better in 2023, compared to last season’s outcome.
This is Part 1 of 2. Our continued early preseason picks move forward after Part 2 (publishing next Wednesday) with our list that highlights Pennsylvania high school field hockey teams we predict could win states and districts this fall.
Here are our first five (in alphabetical order) we expect to repeat similar seasons in 2023.
Conestoga
Conestoga made it to the PIAA postseason seven times in the past 10 years. The farthest the Pioneers have gone was the semifinals in 2022 and 2021. Last season, they were ousted 3-2 in overtime by Lower Dauphin. Before they arrived at the Class 3A state level, Stoga claimed undefeated status and District 1 champs. The Pioneers already present a threat with their deep roster. They are rounded out namely by Shae Wozniak (U-16 USA Women’s National Team), Alex Lepore (Temple University commit), and Aubrey DelOrefice (USA Field Hockey Nexus athlete). Wozniak’s dazzling speed and stick skills earned her a mention on MAX Field Hockey’s top 10 players in the Class of 2025 nationally to watch. DelOrefice started as a freshman, and she has goal-guardian Lepore in cage to assist her decision-making in the backfield. Stoga’s looking strong not only in each of its lines but also right down the middle.
Cumberland Valley
The Eagles didn’t have a long 2022 postseason. Penn Manor knocked them out of contention for both District 3 gold and playing in the PIAA Class 3A tournament. Despite having a strong roster (minus Sammi Blocher due to an injury), Cumberland Valley couldn’t finish its shots. While the Eagles graduated seven seniors, they are also gaining powerful up-and-comers. Morgan Smeltz, Hayven Mumma, Courtney Lenderman, and Katie Hume will provide stability. New edition: freshman Marissa Muza is already dangerously good. Both Hume and Muza are climbers in USA Field Hockey’s pipeline. They were selected earlier this year to USA Field Hockey’s U-16 Women’s National Team. Muza plays on the field and Hume is in the cage. Muza carries herself with the confidence of an upperclassman. FAN predicts she will earn double digit points in her freshman year.
Gwynedd Mercy Academy
The Monarchs won the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies league last fall. They were District 1 Class 2A finalists and had a record of 18-5-1. Their toughest spot to fill will be the shoes of former goalie Lilly Sweeney, who’s starting her freshman year at Ohio State. GMA had back-to-back appearances in the PIAA Class 2A tournament but were unable to attain championship status. With a handful of powerful players – Rory Saxon and Madeline Bogle to name two – they could redeem themselves in 2023 and go all the way.
Lewisburg
The Green Dragons have a lot of potential. They were District 4 champions and on a path to the state semifinals until they met Oley Valley. Notwithstanding any major changes this upcoming season, they have Avery Mast, a midfielder who led Lewisburg in several stat categories. Mast had 18 goals, 18 assists, and tallied an overall 54 points last fall. It was their first Class 1A District championship in three years. Lewisburg also shared the Heartland Athletic Conference-Division I title for the first time. The Green Dragons aren’t slackers when it comes to hard work.
Manheim Township
The Streaks battle in the highly competitive Lancaster-Lebanon League. Manheim Township was the last L-L team standing in the 2022 PIAA state tournament in any class. Township lost in overtime to Conestoga in the Class 3A state quarterfinals. Two of their leaders – Brenna Campagna and Rhylee Givens – were selected to play in USA Field Hockey’s Junior Nexus Championship in July. Leadership, coupled with experience, should playout a stronger season for Township this fall.
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