Sleepy Hollow’s Angevine going to Empire State Games

Two years ago when Sleepy Hollow senior forward Jennifer Angevine tried out for the Hudson Valley's Empire State Games field hockey squad, she didn't make the team.

However that experience made her even more determined to make it this summer.

"I tried out two years ago and made it to the last round," Angevine said. "When I tried out this year I was just hoping to make it as an alternate so when I found out that I actually made the team I was very excited. I couldn't believe I made the team."

Angevine made the team this summer, which will play in Buffalo July 22-25.  For Angevine, the accomplishment was extra sweet because of what she has had to go through to earn it.

She tore her ACL while playing lacrosse during her sophomore year. Because of that injury she then missed her junior year of field hockey and basketball before returning to lacrosse this spring.

"It was really a lot for me," Angevine said. "I was really excited that I was able to recover and get past my injury."

Making the Hudson Valley squad is enough of a reason to be happy but she also has the added benefit of learning from one of the greatest coaches in Section 1 history in Hudson Valley – coach Sharon Sarsen. Sarsen has won four state championships, including last fall, during the high-school season as coach of the Lakeland Hornets.

"As a committee we felt Jennifer's athleticism, tenacity, drive and determination on offense stood out," Sarsen said. "She has been around and she shows good skills. She tried out for the team a couple of times, it definitely was noticed. She's going into her senior year and she's there now. All those things combined made her the player that definitely would contribute to our team this year."

Sarsen elaborated on why she felt Angevine was a good fit for the Hudson Valley squad.

"Jennifer is really receptive and excited to be on the team," Sarsen said. "She picks up things really easily. She's just great to have around our team. She is a finisher and she really is explosive on the fast break."

 Angevine in turn is grateful to have the opportunity to play for Sarsen.

"She is such a great coach," Angevine said. "She knows exactly what we need to work on and what drills to do. I'm really glad I am working with her."

Besides being able to play for Sarsen, she will be playing alongside six Lakeland players who were on last year's state championship squad: Emma Bozek, Shannon Scavelli, Amanda DiDomzio, Nikki Schultz, Chelsea Remling and Leanne Goldblatt.

Angevine said having the chance to practice with them in preparation for the ESG has already made the experience of playing for Hudson Valley a beneficial one.

"Many of the girls are actually on Sarsen's high-school team so they already know her mind set and how she coaches the game," Angevine said. "So being around them and around her really changed my mind set and what I look for when I am playing. So it really means a lot to be around them and it's already made me a lot better player."