BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD — The Lake Region junior varsity field hockey team had a very successful fall, winning eight games. Team members included: (front, left to right) Samantha Marucci, Bridgette Letarte, Mackenzie Mondville, Nicole Marucci; (middle) Caitlynn Willett, Dana Fitzgerald, Paige Kenison, Ashley Clark, Maggie Scarlett, Meghan Skarbinski; (back row) Maria Kolofsky, Kendall Dinsmore, Destinee Durant, Casey Heath, Meghan VanLoan, Abby Scott-Mitchell, Ellie Cusack and Coach Lisa Shane. (Photo by Robin Leavitt)

The Lake Region junior varsity field hockey team finished their regular season with an impressive record of 8-2-4. The four scoreless ties occurred within the first four games of the season.

“We made it our early focus to learn how to play tight team defensive, which paid off throughout the entire season,” Coach Lisa Shane said.

The Lakers scored 23 goals against their opponents while only allowing six.

The JV offense made excellent improvement with their quick paced give and go passing. Assertive and team oriented, these ladies really worked well together. After the return of forward Abby Scott-Mitchell from a knee injury, the quick learning of Nicole Marucci and Destinee Durant, and the support of experienced swing players (members of both the varsity and JV squads) Meghan Skarbinski and Tori Girardin, the scoring power for the Lakers started building. Goal scorers this year were: Tori Girardin with 4, Nicole Marucci 5, Ellie Cusack 2, Samantha Marucci 3, Abby Scott-Mitchell 3, Meghan Skarbinski 1, Destinee Durant 4 and Elizabeth Schreiber 1.

Assists were plentiful as well for the Lakers as Abby had 3, Samantha 2 and 1 each for Nicole, Destinee, Meghan and Tori.

Midfielders Bridgette Letarte, Samantha Marucci, Ellie Cusack and Zoe Barrett learned to create effective transitions between defense and offense.

“These ladies are strong competitors and contributed so well to the forward attack,” Coach Shane said.

The team also benefited greatly from the support of varsity players Mackenzie Mondville and Elizabeth Schreiber.

The defensive end of the field was lead by swing players Paige Kenison, Dana Fitzgerald and Casey Heath. With their modeling of strong tackles, channeling, and interceptions, the entire defensive line including Ashley Clark, Caitlynn Willet, Kendall Dinsmore and Maggie Scarlett was strengthened.

“Paige, Dana, Casey and Ashley did a great job being able to play wherever the need was against different opponents and learning how to support each other on the field,” Coach Shane said.

The team wouldn’t be complete without the last stop in the defensive line, the goalkeeper. Meghan VanLoan was tremendous in the cage this season. This freshman played with confidence and determination. Her consistently powerful kicks, often blasting the ball outside the 25-yard line, were a great momentum builder to her defensive unit.

“Meghan’s on her way to becoming a standout goalkeeper in the Western B conference,” Coach Shane said.

Coach Shane would like to thank Maria Kolofsky for staying to help manage the team after a foot injury prevented her from continuing to play this season.

“Her positive energy and spirit was a great example of Laker sportsmanship,” the coach said. “It was an amazing season ladies, thank you for all your hard work and a great big thank you to all the parents and fans for being there for us.”