Field Hockey Preview: Yorktown Huskers

The Yorktown girls' field hockey team is in great shape and working hard toward a successful season. When coach Becky Bronzi held practice last week, it was the first day the Huskers concentrated on their stick skills after two days of conditioning.

"We haven't done much stick skill yet, it's been more conditioning," Bronzi said. "We've been doing a lot of running."

That conditioning should help immensely as Bronzi enters her fifth year at the helm of the Huskers.

"I told the players that this team is in the best shape I have seen since I've started coaching," Bronzi said. "They all seem to be in great shape. They were running over the summer. They were very dedicated to working hard. They want to work hard because they know that it will pay off when it comes game time."

Seven of those hard workers are seniors, including midfielder Marissa Tranchese.

"She hustles a lot like all my midfielders do," Bronzi said. "Their work ethic is great. She will probably be more of a defensive midfielder."

Tranchese is a co-captain along with fellow senior midfielders Aileen Kurpis, who was all-section honorable mention last year and Sarah Scott. Kurpis and Scott have been on the team since their sophomore year.

All three were voted captains by their teammates.

"They have a very good work ethic," Bronzi said. "The girls really look up to them. The girls have a lot of respect for them and they thought they would be able to lead the team."

Scott and Kurpis, like Tranchese, display a lot of hustle according to Bronzi.

"Sarah has really good stick skills," Bronzi said. "Last year she was just able to get by people very easily. I'm hoping that will carry over again this year. Aileen also has good stick skills and a very good knowledge of the game."

Bronzi said senior midfielder Nicole Palmadesso has the most endurance on the team.

"Nicole can just run forever," Bronzi said. "She is very fast. Last year she played defensive-mid. I could possibly put her at offensive-mid, but I love having her at defensive-mid because I know she will always get back and get the ball out of the circle for us. So she is going to be a key player for us."

Two other seniors, Amanda Cesario and Lisa Littleton, will play forward for the Huskers.

Cesario has a nice shot and can shoot it really quick on goal with Littleton being the Huskers most aggressive forward. Bronzi said she is looking for Littleton to score a lot of goals this fall.

Another senior, Dominique Farda, is injured.

"Dominique is not playing right now, we are trying to figure out what's wrong with her," Bronzi said. "Hopefully, she can play and if she can I will look to play her on defense."

Junior Katie Frederick, in her first season of playing field hockey, will be in goal.

"She is the goalie for the lacrosse team so I am just looking for her to carry over her skills from lacrosse," Bronzi said. "She should do a great job for us this year."

Another junior, Lauren Keenaghan, will contribute with her aggressive play at the forward spot.

2010 Yorktown Schedule

Sept. 13 @ Harrison 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 15 @ Lourdes 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 17 Pleasantville 6 p.m.

Sept. 21 Ketcham 4;15 p.m.

Sept. 27 @ Lakeland 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 Mahopac 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 1 @ Brewster 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 5 Somers 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 7 @ John Jay-CR 4:15 p.m

Oct. 13 @ Carmel 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 15 @ Mahopac 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 19 Brewster 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 21 @ Somers 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 25 John Jay 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 27 Carmel 4:15 p.m.