GREENE
For many if not most field hockey schools, an appearance in the sectional championship team would indicate a strong season. For Greene, sectional finals appearances are the norm, and championships are the expectation.
For the first time in eight years, Greene did not advance out of Section IV play when it was beaten by Whitney Point, 2-1, in the Class C finals. That Greene reached the sectional finals was a triumph in itself. The Trojans entered sectional play with an uncharacteristic 7-7 record, that just one year removed from an unbeaten state championship run.
Coming in as the seventh seed, Greene won back-to-back road playoff games to reach the sectional finals.
“Making it to the finals, it was a nice run, and coming up short is only making us work harder,” said Greene coach Sue Carlin, who won her 400th career game early last season.
Carlin did admit it was a little different not having a target on her team’s back, and instead played as an underdog. “We had to go on the road and beat good teams, but it doesn’t matter where or when you play teams because you’ll eventually have to beat them to reach your goal.”
As always, Greene is loaded with talented players and depth. Junior Katie Anderson and freshman McKenna Sergi had outstanding offseasons, and were selected to the Junior Olympics club this summer. “It was impressive for them,” Carlin said of the accomplishment.
Anderson, while small, is technically sound, reads plays well, and can distribute. Laura Durdon is back for a third year on defense, Jess Kehoe returns as a center back on defense, and those two will provide support for veteran fourth-year goalie Julia Amell.
Greene has plenty of weapons on offense, too, with experienced returnees Kristy Haskell and Tiffany Borst. New faces to varsity, Gina Lobdell and Abby Sands, are looking good in the preseason, and 2013 reserve Sydney Bennett along with Allison Stanton will see increased roles this year.
Assuming Greene reaches postseason play, that part of their campaign may be the easy part with a brutal division schedule that features games against Maine-Endwell, Whitney Point, and Vestal. “If we can do well within our division, it will prepare us that much more,” Carlin said. “Whitney Point is in the same boat. We’re going to give it our best shot, and what I like the most about our team is that it is so tight-knit.”
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SHERBURNE-EARLVILLE
Sherburne-Earlville was back where it belonged last season clinching a spot in the Section III playoffs. It was a pleasant surprise for longtime head coach Sheila Cooman, who said her young group of players performed above expectations. With that, expectations are naturally higher entering 2014. "As a coach, you know where you should be (as a team), and these guys know they can do better," Cooman said, now in her 35th year as head coach.
Off of last year's six-win team, the top three returning scorers are back in the fold. Megan Rodman, Emma Hodges, and Alexa Bates provided much of last year's offense, and Cooman said their scoring was a key reason for the postseason berth. Alana Stumps blossomed last year in the midfield, Emma Hodges returns as a starter, and Allison Johnson provides veteran leadership on defense as the returning keeper between the posts.
Only two seniors to make up the Marauders' smallish lineup that features just two bench players. Ideally, Cooman would prefer a 15- or 16-person lineup, so avoiding injuries and other absences on game days are critical. Amongst league competition, Cooman said division opponent Canastota is “loaded,” and Morrisville-Hamilton, while small of roster, should be strong.
“I really think we should be in the top half of the league,” Cooman said. “I feel better about the offense this year. We’re working with the defense and trying to solidify that. We’re also working hard on conditioning, especially with just 13 players. We’ll have to play a very controlled passing game, and right now, I couldn’t ask for more from the team in terms of work ethic.”