Field Hockey Looking to Improve

The Livingston field hockey team is looking to take the next step in 2010.

Although the Lady Lancers have started 0-3 on the season and have been outscored in the first three games against teams like Oak Knoll (9-0), Cranford (3-1) and Montclair (7-0), the team is forging ahead.

"The ultimate goal is to rebuild the program," said Livingston head coach Abby Palatucci. "We're really trying to establish a consistency with the program."

Despite some lopsided scores, Palatucci said that some do not indicate how the team has been playing, including in the game against powerhouse Oak Knoll, when the team was only down 2-0 at halftime.

"It's not fair," said Palatucci about the final score. "It's unfortunate that the kids see in the paper that it was a 9-0 loss. They don't see that it was close in the first half."

Despite the one goal in the first three games, the team is hoping for more offensive success this year, having scored only 6 goals last year.  "We have achieved that and had 10 goals in the scrimmage," said Palatucci.

One of the top players on the team is junior Emily Reich. Reich scored four of the team's goals last season. But Palatucci moved her from midfield to the backfield as the Livingston head coach believes she can play anywhere on the field.

"She can play anywhere I need her," said Palatucci. "When I saw her in the first scrimmage, she just seemed to be able to control the entire game and see the field from back there. She's disciplined and works hard."

Joining Reich in the backfield is Rachel Lee, who missed a scrimmage with a foot injury, but is healthy now. Before the season started, the Lady Lancers lost a player for a month because of an injury when senior sweeper Marla Topiol was out with a concussion. "She's a great marker on the other team's top player," said Palatucci.

The player who has scored the lone goal so far this season is senior Katie Simko, who netted the goal against Cranford. One of the key sophomores on the team this season is forward Johanna Silvestri. "She's a very talented forward and they (sophomores) will have a big impact on the team."

The other sophomores include forward Zoe Miller, along with defensive players Meaghan Myers and Ariel Shafir.  One of the players to burst on the varsity scene this season is junior forward Judy Lubetkin.

Palatucci likes to use several of the players at both forward and midfield;  two such players are juniors Christina Furman and Cyndey Williams.

In goal, Palatucci is going with two seniors, Connie Chen and Jessica Glasser. "We're still trying to feel it out and we need to give them more time," said Palatucci. "They are strong in the same ways."

Livingston 2010 Field Hockey Schedule
(Games at 4 p.m. unless noted)

Sept. 23       Union
Sept. 25        Montclair Kimberley, 11 a.m.
Sept. 28       at Governor Livingston
Sept. 30       at Johnson
Oct. 2            Newark Academy, 11 a.m.
Oct. 7            at Glen Ridge
Oct. 8            Mount Olive
Oct. 12          Millburn
Oct. 14          at Mount St. Dominic
Oct. 19          at Columbia
Oct. 21          Kent Place
Oct. 26          Summit, 7 p.m.
Oct. 28          Westfield