Lady Highlanders Set to Start 2011 Field Hockey Season

There is cause for optimism this fall for the Gov. Livingston field hockey team. 

“This should be one of our best teams that we’ve had recently,” said third-year coach Christina Sempepos Allian. “We have 13 seniors, including a few four-year players, so we’re looking forward to a competitive season.” 

The Lady Highlanders, 4-14-2 last year, open the season Saturday, Sept. 10 against Cranford at 9:30 am on its turf field in Berkeley Heights. 

One of the key players for Allian will be senior goalie Cassie Kinney, who is starting her fourth season in net. 

“Cassie is a pretty solid goalie,” said Allian. “Obviously our changes in defense hurt last year but many of the goals she allowed were very good ones. “I’m happy she’s been able to step up every year and the hope here is that she will do so again and do a good job.” 

Kinney, who made 232 saves last year – an average of 11.6 per game, will have a better defense in front of her as seniors Jess Leonardis and Christine Policastro are recovered from injuries sustained last year. 

Gov. Livingston’s victories last year came against Union, Glen Ridge, Mount St. Dominic and Newark Academy. It tied Livingsto and North Plainfield. 

While Gov. Livingston is just one of eight teams that participate in field hockey in Union County, that area is packed with state powers Oak Knoll and Kent Place of Summit, Johnson of Clark and Summit.

A year ago, Oak Knoll went 27-0 and won the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions. The Lady Highlanders play in the Union-Essex Conference, which also includes other top teams in West Essex, Montclair and Livingston. But none of that has dismayed Allian. 

“If you go by record and some of the results it can be frustrating to the players at times,” said Allian. “But if you’re talking about challenging yourself and looking to be a better player, there’s nothing better than playing good teams.” 

Allian, who was a standout for Mount St. Mary, where she graduated in ’93, played college field hockey at Salve Regina in Newport Rhode Island from 1993 to ’96 before injuring her ACL her senior season. 

In Allian’s first season at the helm of Gov. Livingston in 2009, she guided the team to one of its best marks in recent memory as it finished 8-12, reached the semifinal round of the Union County Tournament and qualified for the state tournament.

“I really think the program has stepped up recently and we’re headed in the right direction,” said Allian. “We’re looking forward to get going.” 

In addition to Kinney, Leonardis and Policastro, the lady Highlanders will be led by seniors Ariana Cioffi, Ilana Levine, Shannon McNelis, Briana Robertello, Stehanie Scofield, Jackie Wells, Jenny Lee and Lauren Brunoand juniors Nicole Bendush, Olivia LaBau, Jesse Longo, Kerri Paliwoda and Jackie Wills. 

LADY HIGHLANDERS 2011 FIELD HOCKEY SCHEDULE 

Sept. 10: vs. Cranford, 9:30 a.m.

Sept. 13: at West Essex, 4:00

Sept. 15: vs. Montclair, 4:00

Sept. 16: at Union, 4:00

Sept. 20: vs. Montclair Kimberley, 4:00

Sept. 22: at Johnson, 4:00

Sept. 27: vs. Newark Academy, 4:00

Oct. 3: vs. Mount St. Mary, 4:00

Oct. 4: at Glen Ridge, 4:00

Oct. 6: vs. Millburn, 4:00

Oct. 11: vs. Mount St. Dominic, 4:00

Oct. 13: at Columbia, 4:00

Oct. 18: vs. Kent Place, 4:00

Oct. 20: vs. Summit, 4:00

Oct. 22: Union County Tournament, TBA

Oct. 25: at Westfield, 4:00

Oct. 27: at Oak Knoll, 4:00

Oct. 28: vs. North Plainfield, 7:00

Oct. 29: Union County Tournament, TBA

Nov. 1: at Livingston, 7:00