FIELD HOCKEY:Hopewell Valley’s offense explodes

Bulldogs blast 10 goals into the cage in two games

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor
Sakes alive!
All of a sudden, Hopewell Valley Central’s offense has exploded.
After getting blanked Sept. 25 on the road by Princeton 1-0, the Bulldogs offense has gone ballistic. In its last two games--wins, respectively over Princeton Day School and Steinert, Hopewell has put 10 balls into the back of the cage starting with a 6-0 drubbing of PDS Sept. 26 in enemy territory.
Four players tallied for the Bulldogs in their last win, a 4-0 shutout of Steinert. In that one, goals were scored by Alicia Wagner, Annie Rosenblatt, Cassidy Straniero and Julie Rockey.
Included among the co-captains this season for the Bulldogs are Rosenblatt, Straniero, Charlotte Thompson and Lauren Colasanti.
“I am pleased with how hard the girls are playing,” stated second-year head coach Pam Edwards who also guides the girls lacrosse team in the spring. “We need to keep improving every game.”
Hopewell also holds wins over Notre Dame in a 2-1 triumph Sept. 17 in enemy territory and a 3-2 victory in overtime over West Windsor Plainsboro North. Wagner and Rosenblatt scored goals for the Bulldogs in that a game that took place Sept. 22 at home.
HoVal dropped its season opener Sept. 14, falling 6-2 on the turf at Lawrenceville Prep.
Last year, Hopewell finished with an overall mark of 18-4 before falling in the first round of the Central Jersey Group III tournament. To the credit of the 2008 Bulldogs, Hopewell captured the top prize in the Mercer County Tournament, outpacing Stuart Country Day School in the MCT finale.
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NOTES: Junior backfielder Meredith Magafin sustained a knee injury in Tuesday’s win over Steinert. At this time, it is unknown the extent of the injury.
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ROSTER
Hopewell Valley Central
Field Hockey

16 Annie Bennett Sr., Defense
2 Tess Brzezynski Soph. Mid
3 Lauren Colasanti Sr mid
15 Kate Hallinger Jr Defense
1 Colby Husong Fr. M/forward
9 Jocelyn Huston Jr. Defense
5 Kelly MacDonald Jr. Mid
14 Meredith Magafin Jr. Defense
35 Maddie Rittley Defense
7 Julie Rockey Jr. forward
11 Annie Rosenblatt Sr Forward
22 Jamie Scanella Sr. Defense
8 Madison Schreiber Jr. Defense
12 Brielle Spera Jr. Mid/Defense
4 Cassidy Straniero Sr. Forward
13 Kent Stratton Sr. Mid/Defense
18 Charlotte Thompson Sr. Defense
25 Alicia Wagner Soph. Forward
00 Natalie Winters Jr Goalie
6 Ellie Yusko Jr. Forward

Head Coach: Pam Edwards
Assistants Maggie Rarich, Michelle Ryan