Warrior Field Hockey Squad Eyeing Tournament Return

After just missing the state tournament, the King Philip field hockey team is looking to improve upon its 5-6-7 record of a year ago. 

The Warriors' record left the squad a single point shy of qualifying for their third post-season in four years.

“Franklin and Mansfield [KP’s first two league contests] are the top two teams in the Hockomock League’s large division,” said Warrior Coach Liz Hathaway. “I feel that this year’s team is very athletic and super competitive in the Hock.  We’re looking to be amongst the top three and advance into the playoffs for the third time in five years.”

Senior captains Rachel Lomp, Olivia Fair and Jenna Liljeberg will be looked upon by Hathaway to bring strong leadership, scoring and transitional play to the King Philip midfield. All three will play attack or midfield, while Lomp and Fair both possess hard shots, which the coach is hoping they can use to score.

According to Hathaway, Fair is a very smart player who consistently can lead the squad into the attack position toward the opposition’s net.

Another senior attacker, Katherine Riley, is one athlete in which the coach is looking for a breakout season, while seniors Molly Ahern (goalie) and Hannah Winslow and Vicky Burns (defense) are all making the trek up from last year's junior varsity team.

 Junior Alex Lynch has looked to have played herself into the heart of the coach in the early goings.

“Alex has really shone brightly in the pre-season,” the coach said. “She can play just about anywhere on the field that we need her to. She can be a scoring threat or a defensive standout.”

Hathaway found an overabundance of sophomores trying out for the team this fall. Twenty-seven came out for the team, but only three look to have that something extra that will earn them a spot on the varsity staff. Sophomores Danielle Hamilton, Paige Kuchy and Emmy Lambalot will see their first varsity action this season.

While senior goalie Ahern is hoping to harness the starting position between the pipes for KP, junior Lindsey Bois is up for the challenge. According to the coach, Bois prepared quite extensively during the off-season in hopes of earning the starting position.

“They both keep each other motivated,” Hathaway said. “We have a jamboree and a scrimmage coming up, and that should show me who is going to be our starting keeper. I believe in choosing only one and seeing how things turn out.”

Hathaway has tapped juniors Ashley Avery and Grace Sanita to play the attack/midfield positions for the Warriors this season.

King Philip will open the season with a non-league contest at home against Bellingham on Tuesday, Sept. 6.