Sports
Seaford Field Hockey Preparing for Challenging 2011 Season
The Vikings graduated a large senior class, but a group of underclassmen look forward to a new start.
The field hockey team made the playoffs for a third straight year in 2010 and if the Lady Vikings are going to make a return postseason trip it will be accomplished with many fresh faces.
Seaford graduated 17 players from last season's 7-8-1 season that ended with a setback to North Shore in the Class B Quarterfinals
“It is definitely a rebuilding year for us with the 17 girls lost from last year," said Patricia Foley, who is in her 10th year as Seaford field hockey head coach. "It is going to be an interesting road, but I am hoping for the best...I think the girls have a great chemistry with each other and that is a big part of being on a team.”
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Last season featured a large senior class, but 2011 will be up to the underclassmen to make a difference and continue recent success. Just three seniors and four juniors will be featured on the roster. The graduated group from last year include all-state player Lauren Murphy, as well as Katherine Grebosz, Jen Imbro and Sam Bausert.
The players fit to take the reigns of the program are a pair of junior midfielders in Emma Bausert and Melissa Wolfson as well as junior Danielle Murphy, who will be a key player up from at the forward position for the Vikings.
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“We have been looking pretty good, but we just need to step up our game this year, "said Murphy. "I think we could have the opportunity to do well this season."
Senior Diana Rice will be a key player as the returning starting goalkeeper for Seaford. Young players such as sophomores Kara Murphy at forward and Marissa Scialpi at midfield will also be looked at to contribute to a young team.
“We are pretty much starting from scratch, but I really think we will pull it together as a team this season,” Bausert said.
Seaford, who competed in Conference I-League I last year, will move down to League III in the same conference for this upcoming season. Top competition this season will include the likes of Garden City, Manhasset, North Shore, Cold Spring Harbor and East Meadow.
Seaford will open up their season on Sept. 13 at Sewanhaka at 4:30 p.m. The Lady Viking's home opener is scheduled for Sept. 15 against East Meadow at 4:45 p.m.
