Mahopac Field Hockey Ready for New Season

Liana Viaggio With a new season approaching and a new league on tap, there are a lot of question marks on the horizon for the Mahopac High field hockey team.

Indians coach Dona DiMaggio does know one thing: her girls are hungry to learn, and anxious to start playing meaningful games.

Here’s a look at this year’s Mahopac squad: TEAM – Mahopac High field hockey COACH – Dona DiMaggio, 11th season LAST YEAR’S RECORD/FINISH – 9-8-2, lost to Ossining in first round of playoffs WHAT’S EXCITING ABOUT THIS TEAM? – “This is a group that is really excited to work,” DiMaggio said. “That’s not always the case… they have raised the bar for themselves. They really want to do well, and so they’re willing to put in a lot of work. They’re extremely motivated, and they motivate each other. We have a lot of talent, and a good core of players who spent a lot of time working in the off-season. That could make a big difference.” RETURNING STARTERS – Abigail Armstrong (11, center mid, All- League), Liana Viaggio (11, attack, All-League), Caitlin Baranowski (12, mid), Clarissa Zamora (12, defense), Caitlin Lavelle (12, defense) RETURNING PLAYERS – Chelsea Alterman (11, attack), Caitlin Pfister (12, defense), Courtney Stein (11, attack), Jen Kufa (12, defense), Jakki Reger (12, defense), Annie Carroll (11, attack), Kristen Notholt (12, gl), Ashley John (12, attack)

Abigail Armstrong NEW PLAYERS – Jackie Reiser (10, defense), Catherine Lee (11, mid), Samantha Nardo (11, attack), Caitlin McCormack (11, gl), Allison Knudsen (11, defense), Sarah Gionta (11, mid), Jenna Armistead (11, defense), Christina Favele (12, attack) LEAGUE – A new league alignment includes Mahopac, Carmel, Brewster, Yorktown, Lakeland, Ossining. “I think this will be an extremely competitive league,” DiMaggio said. “Lakeland could be amazing this year, and Ossining, Brewster and Carmel could be good. It will be a tough league.” OUTLOOK – DiMaggio is looking for team balance and contributions from everyone. “I don’t think we’ll have any individual standouts,” she said. “We have a lot of depth in the starting lineup and on the bench… we’re well-rounded. Armstrong at center mid will control transition and set up a lot of plays… if she can control the ball we should be able to score. But we’ll spread the wealth as far as scoring. Our defense has the potential to be solid. We have new people in new positions, so there are a lot of unknowns. I want to see the kids grow, and set team goals.”

Mahopac is set to open the 2009 season next Thursday at the Somers Tournament.