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Schools

West Deptford Field Hockey: At a Crossroads

The Eagles are replacing seven starters, but should still find themselves among the top teams in the conference.

How good will the field hockey team be this season?

If history is any indication, the Eagles should be good–very good. The Eagles have been dominant the last two seasons, reaching a pair of South Jersey title games, winning one.

However, history is just that, and is not the sole indicator of how a team will perform in the future.

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That is the crossroads that head coach Linda Decker and her team find themselves entering the season.

After losing seven starters to graduation, the Eagles will have a new look and feel this season, and only when the games start to matter will Decker be able to truly see what she has on her hands.

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“I think they have looked good, but time will tell, and us playing competitive teams like Haddonfield will tell us how we will really fare for the season,” Decker said.

One of the biggest challenges facing the Eagles this season is their lack of depth. Not only is the team short on varsity experience, the program is also relatively thin overall.

“I think we have a strong group of girls, but we don’t have depth,” said Decker. “I’m hoping no one gets hurt.”

To compensate, Decker said the team will rely heavily on junior attacker Rachel Krott and senior midfielder Sydney Ponto on offense, and senior Deanna Szymborski on defense. The trio played a pivotal role in West Deptford winning the Colonial Conference Patriot Division a year ago, and will have to do the same for West Deptford to repeat.

2011 Field Hockey Team

Coach: Linda Decker

Last year: 18-3-0

Returning Letter winners: Brooke Brown (jr./attack); Erica Durham (sr./def) Amanda Hojnowski (jr./attack); Rachel Krott (jr./attack) Sidney Ponto (jr./midfield); Deanna Szymborski (sr./def); Claudia Theriaulot (jr./mid).

Promising Newcomers: Justine Oldt (jr./attack); Carli DiRienzo (sr./def); Madelyn Waschao (jr./mid). Dahlia Andric (jr./goalie); Brinna Thomas (sr./goalie)

Team to beat: West Deptford/Haddonfield

Expectations: Even with seven new starters, West Deptford has its sights set on competing for a Colonial Conference and Group II championship. The Eagles may have a few closer games than a year ago, but expect the winning tradition to remain.

Three storylines to follow:

–Rachel Krott’s excellent play. Krott started as a freshman and played a vital role in West Deptford’s Group II championship, netting 11 goals that season. She continued to be a standout performer last year and don’t look for that to change. Now a junior, Krott is a captain and will be counted on to provide plenty of goals. With so much change in the starting 11, Krott is a stabilizing force.

–The rivalry with Haddonfield. West Deptford and Haddonfield seem to get in each other’s way, not just during the regular season, but also in the playoffs. Last year was no different, and it was the Bulldawgs that won the biggest match of the year. Haddonfield defeated West Deptford, 2-0, in the South Jersey championship. These two teams figure to once again be competing for a conference and South Jersey title, so these games are not to be missed.

–Will there be a goalie-by-committee? Decker has two strong players to turn to at keeper, and with a week left in the preseason, both options were still in consideration. Junior Dahlia Andric and senior Brinna Thomas have each played well in the preseason, making their claim to be the starting keeper. Decker did not reveal who will get the nod for opening day, but it seems likely that each goalie will play a big role this season.

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