Norwin field hockey aims to compete in Section 1

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 18, 2017 | 5:48 PM

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Some teams get to ease into the season with a couple of cupcake opponents.

The Norwin field hockey team was thrown into the deep end right away.

The Knights fell to Pine-Richland, 4-0, and North Allegheny, 2-0, in the third and fourth games of the year. The Rams and Tigers were the top teams in Section 1-AAA last year and two of the top programs in the WPIAL.

“It isn't the ideal situation,” Norwin coach Kim Kolesar said. “But we will meet up again later in the season when we've had some more time to continue growing.”

Despite a 1-3 start, Norwin is hopeful for a successful season. The team lost six seniors from last season but returns an experienced roster looking to build off a third-place finish in the section last year.

The group is led by its four captains — midfielder Magen Polczynski and defender Rebecca McCallister, both seniors, along with junior defenders Alexis Birkland and Mackenzie Wensel.

“They bring in some good, strong skills,” Kolesar said. “They are able to motivate the team. They are leaders on and off the field.”

The Knights also return a pair of standout juniors. Kate Donofrio is a midfielder with three years of experience, and Jessica Kolesar is a forward who was named all-section and all-WPIAL last season.

The biggest loss to graduation might have been a pair of goalkeepers in Haley Smith and Michelle Bachy.

The Knights have four goalies on the roster with limited experience. Sophomore Bailee Kelly is the starter.

“She had no playing experience before this,” Kolesar said. “She is doing a great job.”

Helping the new goalkeeper is a talented defense. The group has allowed an average of only 2.25 goals through four games.

“The entire defense is returning,” Kolesar said. “All three defenders are returning starters. We also have two returning midfielders. We return a lot of experience.”

Other seniors expected to make an impact this season include forwards Riley McCallister and Angela Boyle and midfielders Shelby Miller and Haley Hensley.

The junior class includes defender Brianna Hritz and forwards Maura Columbus and Isabella Ely.

The team's sophomores include goalkeeper Lynnie McClain, forward Jade Taylor, defenders Abigail Snyder and Jaylene Warman and midfielders Maci Rogers, Skylar Lindberg, Caitlin Ferri and Alix Verrico.

The team also added a talented freshman class with Grace Perla, Emma Mazur, Miah Wojdyla, Mackenzie Astorino, Mia Gill, Karlie Pavlic, Maura Lust, Carly Kubacka and Cassie Hensler.

The Knights will look to rebound as they dive into section play.

In addition to rematches with North Allegheny and Pine-Richland, the team has games with Hempfield, Latrobe and Penn-Trafford coming up.

“The girls have their eyes on the Pine-Richland and North Allegheny rematches,” Kolesar said. “But there are some other good teams on the schedule. We split with Penn-Trafford last year. That is always a competitive game with them being our rivals.”

Norwin hopes it clinches a playoff berth for the first time since 2010.

“They want to make playoffs,” Kolesar said. “We lost to those two teams, but we are not out of it. We can still beat them the next time we play. So that is what we are looking to do.”

Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.

Tags: Norwin