Field Hockey Looks to Build on 2009 Campaign

When the Millburn field hockey team stepped on the field Tuesday, it was looking to build upon a solid finish in 2009.

A year ago Millburn, coached by Rose Twombly, fashioned a 10-8-2 record, reaching the quarterfinal round of the Essex County Tournament and qualifying for the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 tournament.

Millburn, which lost 10 players to graduation, will be paced this year by senior forwards Caroline DiStefano and Julie Cohen and senior backs Judy Jansen, Jordan Lee and Sara Thompson. Thompson led Millburn with seven goals and seven assists as a midfielder last fall.  Her final goal of the season came in Millburn's 3-1 loss to Middletown South in a state tournament on Oct. 30.

Twombly's underclassmen include juniors Madison Finn,  Melanie Lustig, Haley Tanner, Sophia Gizzi, Martha Berg, Sandra Stein and Haley Tanner. Twombly's daughter, Kate Twombly, also is a junior and totaled four goals and six assists a year ago.

Millburn, which opened at Kent Place, is playing in the Union-Essex Field Hockey League this year. The teams include (from Essex): Columbia, Livingston, Glen Ridge, West Essex, Newark Academy and Montclair Kimberley; (from Union): Oak Knoll, Kent Place, Summit, Union, Gov. Livingston, Cranford, Johnson and Westfield.

MILLBURN FIELD HOCKEY SCHEDULE
Sept. 14: at Kent Place, 4 p.m.
Sept. 16: at Summit, 4 p.m.
Sept. 21:  Westfield, 4 p.m.
Sept. 23: at Oak Knoll, 4 p.m.
Sept. 25 vs. Cranford, 10 a.m.
Sept. 27: West Essex, 4 p.m.
Sept. 29: Essex County Tournament First Round, TBA
Sept. 30: at Montclair, 4 p.m.
Oct. 5: vs. Montclair Kimberley, 4 p.m.
Oct. 7: vs. Gov. Livingston, 4 p.m.
Oct. 12: at Livingston, 4 p.m.
Oct. 14: at Newark Academy, 4 p.m.
Oct. 16: vs. Columbia, 11 a.m.
Oct. 19: vs. Morristown, 4 p.m.
Oct. 21: vs. Glen Ridge, 4 p.m.
Oct. 23: at Union, 2 p.m.
Oct. 26: vs. Johnson, 4 p.m.
Oct. 28: at Mt. St. Dominic, 4 p.m.