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Schools

Talented Panthers Look for Repeat Season

After a great 2010 that ended too soon, Kathie DeBonis and the Panthers field hockey team will try to take it one step further this year.

As the summer months come to an end, it is time for the Bridgewater-Raritan athletic teams to prepare for the fall season. With opening day approaching, we're taking a look at each of the teams as they ready for competition. Today, we take a look at the Panthers field hockey team.

OVERVIEW

The Bridgewater-Raritan field hockey team is looking to build off a 2010 season in which the team was able to take home various trophies, but missed out on the big one in the state tournament.  Head Coach Kathy DeBonis, who is entering her 17th season as coach, will be using a mix of upper and underclassmen to keep Bridgewater at the top of the New Jersey high school rankings.

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LAST SEASON’S RESULTS

Bridgewater will have a lot of work to do throughout the season if the team wants to reach the same heights as last season. In 2010, the Panthers team was crowned Somerset County Skyland Conference and North Jersey Section 2-Group IV Champions. The girls then fell one game short in becoming Group IV State Champions when they lost to field hockey powerhouse Eastern, 2-0.

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KEEP YOUR EYE ON

•Kayla Sullivan, Center Back (Sr.)—Will help key the Panthers defense. As a senior, her leadership will also be an integral part of the Panthers' success in 2011.

•Catherine Caro, Midfielder (Jr.)—Had 19 goals and 23 assists as a sophomore, and will now be looked at to carry more of the load. Caro was also selected for the U17 National Field Hockey team this past summer.

•Rachel Yaney, High Forward (Jr.)—Another member of the U17 National Team, DeBonis will look for her to build off of her 15 goals and three assists as a sophomore.

•Chrstin Piersant, Goalie (Jr.)—Had 15 shutouts last season and will be one of the top goal keepers state-wide.

•Taylor Mygatt, Midfielder (Sr.)—Adds depth and experience to a talented midfield. Mygatt tallied eight goals and eight assists last season.

THEY’LL MISS

When asked about which one of her 12 departing seniors would be missed the most, DeBonis could not come to a decision. She said she knows how important all of those players were to her team’s success in 2010 and could not pick just one.

“We’re going to miss them all," she said. "They each contributed in some positive way to the team, whether it was on the field or off the field. Each of them will be missed because they were all so vital to last year’s team.”

COACH’S TAKE

“We have a lot of young talent this year. My expectations are high and they always are because I demand the best of my players. I expect the best, and a lot of the time I get it.”—DeBonis 

THEY SAID IT

“This team has the talent to do whatever they chose to. Along with the talent they have, they also have the drive to get back to where they were last year. It’s going to be great to watch and coach them this season.”—DeBonis

2011 BRIDGEWATER FIELD HOCKEY ROSTER

Number Name Position Grade

3

Rachel Yaney

Forward

11

4

Kayla Sullivan

Defense

12

6

Lindsay Alvarez

Defense

9

7

Jessica Casterline

Forward

12

8

Emily Howarth

Forward

9

9

Catherine Caro

Midfielder

11

12

Caroline Murphy

Forward

12

15

Fran Maggio

Midfielder

11

16

Erin Eckert

Forward

12

18

Mackenzie Knouse

Midfielder

9

19

Sam Giordano

Defense

9

21

Leah Watson

Forward

10

22

Rachel Lisk

Forward

11

23

Taylor Mygatt

Midfielder

12

24

Nicole Braun

Defense

11

25

Dayle Paustian

Midfielder

11

31

Christen Piersanti

Goalie

11

39

Sam Lisk

Midfielder

10

 

*Bridgewater Patch is previewing the biggest sports as the seasons begin the end of this week. Here's what we got in previews coming up this week:
Wednesday—We'll preview the boys soccer team, and see what their plans are for the coming season.
Thursday—Today, we check in with the girls soccer team as they prepare to get down to business.
Friday—The first big game of the season is Friday, and we start off the day with a preview of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School football team. 

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