Eagles squad hopes to improve upon last year's success BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer Despite a tough, season-opening, 2-1 loss to its crosstown rival, prospects look bright this fall for the Middletown High School South field hockey team. The Eagles are coming off of an 11- 5-1 campaign that saw Middletown South finish second in the Shore Conference's Class A North division. Coach Sarah Boyce's girls also qualified for the conference and NJSIAA North 2, Group III tourneys, losing in the first round to Wall and Voorhees, respectively. Several key players are back from last year's squad, including junior Kate Bruno, who led the team with 11 goals, fellow forward Jordan Hickman, who scored 10 times, and talented twoway midfielder Chelsea Keelen, who contributed five goals and five assists. Middletown South played well in the opener, outshooting Middletown North, but fell in overtime, 2-1. The Eagles were set to play at Howell on Monday and will host Colts Neck on Saturday. "It was a tough loss, but our defense really played well," Boyce said. "If the girls play that well in most of our games, they're going to be in good shape. We've got a lot of experience across the team and we're well balanced from front to back. Even though we lost the first one, one of our goals is still to win the division." The coach also believes her team is capable of going beyond the first round in the Shore and state tournaments. In addition to Hickman and Bruno, Jen Baccillieri, Tara Brons and sophomore Laura Rabuffo will see action on the front line. Boyce noted that all five can but the ball into the net. Keelen anchors a strong midfield that also includes sisters Kathleen and Megan Pierce, the latter is a junior; juniors Katarina McKee and Samantha McMahon,as well as sophomore Kerri Healy. The defense is strong and deep with Michelle Irwin in the middle and promising sophomore Kelly Scheurer playing sweeper. Other fullbacks include Erinn Madsen, Alyssa Quirk, Rebecca Weimer, Lauren Wolfe, juniors Kourtney Maloney and Ashley Slate, and sophomore Amanda Galanti. Lauren Petach, who recorded a pair of shutouts a year ago, and junior Katie Johnson split time in goal. "After doing so well last year and with so many players back we have higher expectations," said Boyce, who was a standout player at Keyport during her high school days. "The girls expect more of themselves, too. Many of them have been together for three years and the seniors certainly want to finish their high school careers with a big season."