Prep Field Hockey: Season preview for Poway High, Rancho Bernardo and Del Norte
While the Poway and Rancho Bernardo High field hockey teams rebuild, Del Norte is thinking about capturing a San Diego Section championship this season.
The Titans and Broncos will try to turn things around under new coaches and young players.
Meanwhile, Del Norte has all the makings of a championship roster with nearly everyone returning from last season.
Here is a closer look at the teams:
Poway
Coach: Brittany Parrish and Morgan Re, both in first year.
2014 record: 5-16-1, 3-7; missed playoffs.
Key players: MF, Lauren Whitney, Jr.; D, Taylor Jervis, Sr.
Division: I
Outlook: Poway missed out on the playoffs last season, but co-coaches Parrish and Re are hoping to be in the hunt this year.
Dependable returners Whitney and Jervis will lead the charge in that task. Jervis, who will play lacrosse at San Diego State next year, will anchor the defense.
Whitney should be a game changer on both sides of the field. She should also help Poway in its transition game.
The Titans, who finished with just 15 goals last season, are hoping to see improvement in that department this year.
Parrish says the team has been great at getting the ball in scoring position, but just have not been able to convert those situations to goals. She is optimistic about the season, though.
“We think if we continue our work ethic, we will have a very successful season and be able to compete with the top teams in the county,” Parrish said.
Rancho Bernardo
Coach: Ashley Daily, first year
2014 record: 2-15-2, 1-9; missed playoffs.
Key players: D, Alyssa Dsouza, Sr.; MF, Katy Graham, Jr.; MF, Kara Yagade, So.; F, Mina Balen, So.
Division: II
Outlook: The Broncos are looking to turn things around after winning just two games all of last season.
They will have to do it with a young group and a first-year coach in Daily. She is excited about the work ethic her team has shown thus far.
“Our players are very hard working and determined to improve both individually and collectively,” Daily said.
Dsouza will lead the defense, while Graham anchors the midfield and sophomore Balen will be pushing the forwards.
Rancho Bernardo is hoping to put away more goals this season and be a threat in the Division II playoffs.
“Our offense has been working tirelessly on finishing and hope to bring that to the field each game,” she said. “We aim to be viable competitors within our division more than ever.”
Del Norte
Coach: Jason Askegreen
2014 record: 18-7, 9-1; co-champions of Avocado East League; lost 1-0 to Serra in the semifinals of the Division II playoffs.
Key players: MF, Karli Renken, Sr.; GK, Sammy Burke, Sr.; MF, Madison Resolme, Sr.; MF, Rachel Hsieh, Sr.; F, Vanessa Costa, Sr.; F, Ishwinder Battoo, Jr.; D, Gaby Martinez, Sr.; D, Carli Lugo, Jr.
Division: I
Outlook: The Nighthawks are coming off another stellar year and they have just about everyone back this season.
Del Norte is loaded with 14 seniors, including captains Renken, Burke and Resolme. The Nighthawks are eyeing a Division I title, but might get pulled into the Open Division with the talented squad they have returning.
“We are looking to be in the top of Division I,” Askegreen said. “I don’t want to be in the Open, but if we do it is OK. It just proves that we are good enough to be there ... I just think we have a really good chance to win a section title at Division I.”
Del Norte has one of the top goalkeepers in the county in Burke. The three-year starter is getting looks from colleges.
“She has saved us many times,” Askegreen said.
Costa is expected to lead the offense along with Renken. Costa scored 24 goals last season. Battoo, who found the back of the net 15 times last season, will also be an offensive threat for the Nighthawks.
Del Norte will be among the county’s best, which also includes Serra, La Costa Canyon, Cathedral Catholic, Scripps Ranch, San Pasqual, Rancho Buena Vista and Torrey Pines.