Field Hockey Hopes Diverse Leadership Leads to Final Four

Field Hockey looks to continue down the path of success by the foundation of built momentum over the past two seasons. With a new head coach in Jennie Moore, a math teacher at the high school and volunteer assistant to the team last year, the girls look to improve upon an 11-8 record. That was a huge turnaround from the under-.500 record from the year prior.

The Rams missed the PAC-10 Final Four by just one game and lost in the first round of Districts to William Tennant by a goal.

"We really had high expectations going in," Moore said. "It was a heartbreaking loss, too. We dominated a lot, but we couldn’t put the ball in the cage. It was an upsetting loss especially to end our season like that."

It was especially heartbreaking because the girls proved to themselves and others that they could hang with the big teams, especially Owen J. Roberts, which was a game they came back and won in overtime.

Spring-Ford loses a few key leaders from last year's team, including Gabby Haviland and Molly Callaghan, who both play collegiately, as well as Britt Jordan, Ashley Swier, Cait Bercak and Steph Stierhl.

This year's group has a good mix of young and seasoned talent. Moore said senior goalie Katie Simpson will be a big part of the team's success this year, as she has plenty of experience, along with a talented group of seniors. Other big names include Brandy Nice, Simone Vagnoni, Alyssa Chillano and Gabby Major.

"It’s tough because they have different personalities and they all lead in different ways, whether it be on the field or off the field," said Moore.

There's also a promising newcomer in senior transfer Lex Versak, who comes from Pope John Paul II. The young girls will also provide some talent, including sophomores Chillano and Major, who both started as freshman, and junior Vagnoni.

Moore forsees a tough opening schedule with a night game against Boyertown to start the season at home, along with Methacton in game three. The girls lost to Methacton both times last year. After that, they face off against Owen J. Roberts and the season rolls on.

"We open with a tough PAC-10 schedule, but it’s good because we get the competition," Moore said.

Overall, the team's big goals are District and Final Four berths, as well as staying healthy. Moore thinks the girls are ready, willing and able to get this season going.

"We’re all very excited," said Moore. "It should be a good, fun season for us and we’re all looking forward to getting underway and playing games, which is what everyone wants to do now."

Field Hockey 2011-2012 Schedule

9/3 - Season Opener @ Downingtown East (12:00 p.m.)

9/7 - Home Opener vs. Boyertown H.S. (7:30 p.m.)

9/9 - Home vs. Methacton H.S. (3:45 p.m.)

9/10 - Home vs. Oley Valley (7:00 p.m.)

9/12 - Away @ West Chester East H.S. (3:45 p.m.)

9/14 - Home vs. Owen J. Roberts (7:30 p.m.)

9/16 - Away @ Perkiomen Valley (3:45 p.m.)

9/17 - Away @ Marple Newtown (12:00 p.m.)

9/19 - Home vs. Pottsgrove (7:30 p.m.)

9/21 - Away @ Upper Perkiomen (7:00 p.m.)

9/23 - Home vs. Phoenixville (5:00 p.m.)

9/28 - Home vs. Pope John Paul II H.S. (3:15 p.m.)

9/30 - Away @ Pottstown H.S. (3:45 p.m.)

10/3 - Away @ Boyertown H.S. (3:45 p.m.)

10/5 - Away @ Methacton H.S. (7:00 p.m.)

10/7 - Away @ Octorara (3:45 p.m.)

10/11 - Away @ Owen J. Roberts (7:30 p.m.)

10/13 - Home vs. Perkiomen Valley (5:00 p.m.)