John Jay Field Hockey Playing With Veteran Core

Since summer began, it has been non-stop field hockey for John Jay.

The Indians played in the prestigious Hudson Valley Summer League, run by Lakeland coach Sharon Sarsen, and finished in fourth place. Once the summer league concluded, it went to the East Coast field hockey camp in Pennsylvania and experienced an intense week.

Just when John Jay thought it would kick back and relax, senior Kate Loesch and her teammates went right from the camp to the first day of varsity practice. Despite the non-stop work, John Jay would not have it any other way.

"We do the camp every summer and it was a big time to bond," Loesch said. "We had three sessions a day at two hours long with games at night. This helped us as our skills continued to grow.

"We had coaches from all over the world. They had so much to offer that we were able to receive the whole aspect of the game. Not only did our skills grow, we came in shape and we came together."

John Jay is coming off of a successful 2009 season under Amanda Antenucci. The second-year coach and former John Jay standout guided the Indians to an 11-3-3 record and berth in the Section 1 Class A quarterfinals. This, after a 2008 season in which John Jay did not qualify for sectionals.

"We made it to sectionals for the first time in five years," said Loesch, in her third year as a varsity starter. "We had an amazing season and grew so much as a team in one season."

John Jay is out to show that the 2009 season was not a one-year accomplishment and the Indians have a veteran core to continue playing at a high level.

Loesch is one of nine returnees, including seven seniors, who have been on varsity for at least two years.

The forward line is explosive and cohesive with Casey Bocklet and Sarah Lange working their magic. The senior and sophomore, respectively, had an outstanding showing in John Jay's recent scrimmage with Valhalla.

Loesch is the center midfielder and will be flanked by Darragh Evarts and Sophie Hasson. The senior trio is among the best collective midfields in Section 1.

Seniors Shannon Houlihan and Mallory Grimm anchor the defense in front of returning goalie, junior Danya Mercer.

Second-year coach and former John Jay standout Amanda Antenucci was pleased with her team's attitude and approach coming into preseason.

"Thank goodness no one got hurt," Antenucci said. "I think going to the camp pumped them up. It has been nice to see everyone working together and helping each other out."

Antenucci welcomes eight new players to varsity after a large number auditioned for the team. The new group is comprised of juniors Lisette Smith, Jessica Ott, Jill Crocker, Emily Pomeroy, Casey Metz, Jenny Veith and Morgan Wright, and sophomore Morgan Wright.

Loesch said the new players have made a smooth adjustment to varsity after playing in the summer league and attending camp with the big team. This will benefit the team because John Jay will have a difficult schedule again, playing defending Class B state champion Lakeland and Class A powers Mahopac and John Jay-East Fishkill.

"We have confidence in ourselves and we know this challenge is only going to make us better," Loesch said. "This will help prepare us for sectionals, should be make it."