State College Field Hockey Returns 14 Letter Winners from District Championship Team

The State College field hockey team saw success last year despite a record under .500. The girls finished with a 9-11 overall record and 5-7 in the Mid-Penn Conference. They went 1-1 in postseason play and did bring home the District 6 championship.

Second-year head coach Bethany Mink said this year’s edition of the team has the capabilities to win another championship in 2018.

“Although every year is new, this team’s strength lies in their perseverance and in their senior leadership,” said Mink. “They have shown the ability to refocus when things are not going their way. We have experienced players all throughout the lineup which should help us navigate a very challenging schedule.”

Fourteen letter winners return to the 2018 squad, including Abby Biddle, Grace Biddle, Rebecca Bonness, Alyssa Dunlap, Libby Fortin, Johannah Lee, Kelsey Love, Isabella Messina, Ainsley Sheehan, Sally Stahl, Maddie Tambroni, Ava Whitlark, Kyra Whitlark and Amelia Wyckoff.

“Despite the number of returning letter winners, our high school program will be youthful. We expect to have as many as 45 freshmen and sophomores this year, and only four juniors,” said Mink.

“These seniors have a chance to be three-time District 6 champions and know the hard work that is required to get there. They will show the way to the younger players. We will need to rely heavily on them.”

The team will have to make up for the loss of seven letter winners who graduated last year. These include Sydney Asencio, Lily Dochat, Abby Kissell, Grace McDonald, Halle Rex, Carissa Tambroni and Lizzie Paterno.

Mink said the team and the coaching staff have the same goals — compete for an win at the Mid-Penn championships and a district title and qualify and compete for a PIAA title.

“We strive for our student-athletes to become the best version of themselves possible both on the field and off. We want them to learn how to deal with adversity, successes, failures and interpersonal conflicts while having fun playing a game that they love,” said Mink. “We want them to embody the 2018-19 State College mantra of ‘Better Together.’”

State College opens the season at home on Friday, taking on North Allegheny at 5:30 p.m.

— Compiled by G. Kerry Webster