The 2016 Aurora Sentinel All-Aurora Field Hockey Team, which is selected by the Sentinel in conjunction with the balloting of city coaches, is topped by the state’s leading goal scorer in Regis Jesuit junior forward Regan Cadieux.
Cadieux’s torrid finish to the regular season — she recorded five consecutive hat tricks — helped the Raiders win all of the games down the stretch they needed to make it be the only one of Aurora’s three teams to make the eight-team state playoffs, where they lost to eventual state runner-up Palmer Ridge. She finished with 17 goals (more than triple her total from 2015), while her 42 points (which also included six assists) put her second in the state.
Senior captain Meredith Rogan helped push the team forward in the midfield and contribute four assists and a pair of goals.
Regis Jesuit coach Spencer Wagner encouraged a more aggressive attack given that the team graduated all-state goalie Claire Stemper (the program’s first Division I field hockey recruit who signed with the University of Michigan) and it paid off. The Raiders scored 10 more goals and gave up eight more than in 2015, when they made the state semifinals.
They were still strong in the back, however, with captain Lindsey Reich and fellow senior Caroline McHugh providing strength and experience, while they contributed a combined two goals and two assists.
Regis Jesuit ruled play in Aurora with wins over both Grandview (2-0) and Smoky Hill (7-1).
The Wolves finished 6-8-1 in the second season under coach Desiree Crocker and just missed the postseason despite being much more competitive.
Junior goalie Megan Matthews racked up 168 saves to lead the state, ranked fifth in goals against average and served as the team’s “heart and soul” according to Crocker. Senior Lourdes Trujillo keyed the defense for Grandview, which kept opponents off the scoreboard completely until the fifth game of the season and posted seven shutouts.
Offensively, junior midfielder Emily Dawson averaged 11 interceptions per game and won a game with her only goal (against Liberty, which came off a penalty corner), while senior forward Kaleigh Southern contributed seven goals to lead the Wolves, including the lone score as they topped Smoky Hill in overtime late in the season.
Senior Kodi Paules — who also excels at lacrosse for Smoky Hill — made things go for coach Natalie Foerster’s competitive Buffaloes (4-10-1).
Paules racked up seven goals and three assists, while senior midfielder Mikayla Hernandez contributed a team-high four assists and also scored. Senior Ashley Lawson contributed significantly on defense and helped Smoky Hill finish with three shutouts.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
2016 AURORA SENTINEL ALL-AURORA FIELD HOCKEY TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Forward: Regan Cadieux, Regis Jesuit, jr.; Kodi Paules, Smoky Hill, sr.; Kaleigh Southern, Grandview, sr.; Midfield: Emily Dawson, Grandview, jr.; Mikayla Hernandez, Smoky Hill, sr.; Meredith Rogan, Regis Jesuit, sr. Defense: Caroline McHugh, Regis Jesuit, sr.; Lindsey Reich, Regis Jesuit, sr.; Lourdes Trujillo, Grandview, sr.; Goalie: Megan Matthews, Grandview, jr.
Honorable mention: Anna Bonner, Regis Jesuit, jr.; Holly Caster, Grandview; Orissa Coombs, Smoky Hill; Ally DePew, Grandview; Katie Frontz, Regis Jesuit, jr.; Bridget Kennedy, Regis Jesuit, jr.; Ashley Lawson, Smoky Hill, sr.; Holly Miller, Smoky Hill; Jordyn Moore, Grandview; Emma Newman, Regis Jesuit, jr.; Maggie Pearson, Smoky Hill, sr.; Melissa Rinaldo, Grandview, sr.; Selena Tuileapa, Smoky Hill, sr.
