Goals might be a little harder to come by for Aurora’s three field hockey teams in 2012, as Grandview, Regis Jesuit and Smoky Hill all lost significant offensive pieces to graduation.
Grandview and Regis Jesuit both had solid attacks which helped them both reach the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. The Wolves and Raiders again have playoff aspirations, but will have to do it in different ways.
Coach Spencer Wagner’s young Regis Jesuit team has at least some experienced scoring back in captains Faye Hubregsen and Raina Cazier, two of just four seniors on the roster.
Wagner believes this is the most talented group in the program’s four-year varsity history and one that could flourish as it grows more experienced.
Grandview will also be young, as coach Chris Strater’s Wolves graduated their top six scorers and a veteran goalie from last season’s team, which won nine games.
Smoky Hill — which didn’t make the playoffs — lost every player that scored a goal from 2011 and have yet to put one in three games into the new year.
The offensive drought has led coach Jenny Perizzolo to toy with the idea of moving some of her experienced players from defense to the attack.
Ashley Stevenson — one of a huge influx of freshmen — in the midfield may help as well.
Sophomore goalie Baylee Candelarie is growing more comfortable all the time, while seniors Kaitlyn Brunner and Jessica Schnitzer and sophomore Libby Boles are playing well in front of her to give Perizzolo a strong defensive unit.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
2012 AURORA FIELD HOCKEY
Key dates — Regular season completed: Oct. 16; Quarterfinals completed: Oct. 20; Semifinals: Oct. 24 at All-City Stadium, 5:30 & 7 p.m.; Championship: Oct. 29 at All-City Stadium, 7 p.m.
Aurora 2011 records: Grandview 9-6-1 (lost in quarterfinals of state playoffs); Regis Jesuit 5-9-2 (lost in quarterfinals of state playoffs); Smoky Hill 3-12
Aurora 2012 players to watch: Libby Boles, Smoky Hill, soph.; Kaitlyn Brunner, Smoky Hill, sr.; Baylee Candelarie (GK), Smoky Hill, soph.; Raina Cazier, Regis Jesuit, sr.; Faye Hubregsen, Regis Jesuit, sr.; Caroline Law, Regis Jesuit, jr.; Kat Law, Regis Jesuit, jr.; Megan Meckling, Regis Jesuit, jr.; Jessica Schnitzner, Smoky Hill, jr.; Alex Smith, Grandview, sr.; Ashley Stevenson, Smoky Hill, fr.; Lorraine Tuti, Grandview, jr.
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