Upper Dublin Field Hockey Trio Earns All-state Honors

Upper Dublin field hockey can now boast an all-state trio, after the Pennsylvania High School Field Hockey Coaches Association recognized three of its most valuable players from the 2011 campaign as amongst the best in Pennsylvania. Senior Emily Hitchings was recognized as first-team all-state, senior Kelly Cross was named to the second team and sophomore Jennifer Harchut earned an honorable mention.

Landing a spot on the all-state team isn’t an easy task. The selection committee, made up of coaches throughout the state, can only nominate players who meet a strict criterion. The committee then must deliberate and make their selections.

“It was a big honor for me to get it,” said Hitchings. “I was kind of surprised. I can see that my hard work paid off this season.”

Hitchings had the statistical resume to earn a nomination this year. The Lady Cardinals’ main offensive threat, she recorded a team-high 15 goals and seven assists. Boyer praises Hitchings for being a key component in an offense that averaged three goals a game.

“It’s been a long time since I had someone first-team all-state,” said Boyer. “She is very humble and quietly leads by example. She has never been one to gloat about her accomplishments. She is the entire package.”

Hitchings has played on the team since her freshman year.

“When I was a freshman my sister was a senior,” said Hitchings. “It was really fun playing with her, so since day one I have had a lot of fun playing for the team.”

Four years later, her 66 career goals rank second all-time for .

“I wasn’t expecting to be one of the top in school history,” said Hitchings. “I have never been too concerned about how many goals I have compared to other people. I am more about the team aspect and getting everyone to play together.”

Hitchings, bound for Bucknell University next season, has always had a knack for putting the ball in the back of the net, according to Boyer. Entering high school, Hitchings earned many of her goals by putting herself in good positions around the goal. But as she progressed, Hitchings developed a craftiness to create her own shots.

“Early in her career she was really good at making sure she was at the right place at the right time,” said Boyer. “Some of the older players who had a little experience would look for her and she would finish a play. Her challenge going into her junior year when those players left was creating opportunities for herself. She learned how to do that and continued to do that very well.”

Still, Hitchings owes many of her goals to Cross, who finished with a team-high 11 assists. Cross, who is to play lacrosse next year, also chipped in nine goals on the season. She finishes with 23 for her career.

“Kelly is just so athletic,” said Boyer. “She has great size and great speed. She knows when to touch the ball and she knows when to release the ball to other players. I think that is what makes her so effective.”

Upper Dublin will lose 13 seniors, including Hitchings and Cross, heading into next season. Harchut, a defender, will be challenged to step into a leadership role and anchor the team.

“I’ve never had a sophomore get all-state at any level. Jen is someone who has really committed to the sport of field hockey,” said Boyer. “She is only a sophomore, but she plays like a senior. She really understands the game well. She is going to be one of those kids that will fill in the holes that I am losing in Emily and Kelly.” 

All three players worked as a team in a successful 12-6-1 campaign for Upper Dublin, which included a 9-3 record in league play.

“I was the forward, Kelly was the mid, and Jen was the defense, so we kind of all connected up and down the field all season long,” said Hitchings.