KHS field hockey squad looks to defense for leadership BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer With a team comprised largely of talented but untested sophomores, Keyport High School field hockey coach Sal Principe is looking to improve upon last year's 4-10-1 mark. The coach is planning to use most of the Red Raiders' more experienced players in defensive roles. Bridgett McCann, one of two seniors on the team, will be the sweeper. And junior returnees Violet Ries and Anna Czech are fullbacks. Soraya Quezada, Keyport's other senior, and junior Damara Viray are the links. McCann, Quezada and Viray serve as the team's tri-captains. "We're counting on the experience of our defense to keep the games close while our forwards adjust to the speed of the varsity game," the coach said. "This is an enthusiastic group, the work hard and we have a lot of speed. They're going to get better and better as the season goes along." Principe said his team generally played well in its opening 3-0 loss to Rumson-Fair Haven. The defense did a good job and sophomore goalkeeper Steph Kaplan was outstanding, recording 23 saves. Junior attacker Brittany Pompliano leads the offense, which also includes sophomores Arielle Fisher, Jackie Dente, Hillary Hernandez, Stephanie Sutphin and freshmen Lexi Ferrara and Brittany Olini. Sophomores Shannon Sengstack and Laura Valencia provide depth at link and fullback, respectively. Freshman Katie Smith is the reserve goalie. "This is a very young team and as a team the girls are kind of learning as they go," Principe said. "I'm looking at this as a building year; we'll have some ups and downs, but we'll get some wins, too. [With] all of these sophomores and freshmen, the future looks very bright." Keyport was looking for its first win yesterday when the Red Raiders were scheduled to host Henry Hudson Regional. Principe's team returns to action again on Friday when Mater Dei comes to visit.