Have you ever watched PIAA District 2 field hockey?
It’s like smashmouth football. Really.
Right here in District 2, we have started another great season. The talent is off and running and the possibility of sending another Wyoming Valley Area high school team to the state finals is in the air.
As all schools have started their Fall sports, there is one thing that sets District 2 apart from the rest of Pennsylvania: consistency.
“There’s a lot of respect among the programs and we believe in making each other better,” Lackawanna Trail Head Coach Laura Evans said. “We watch, year-after-year, District 2 send teams to state games and more impressively to the state finals in November. Let’s run it down: last year, Lackawanna Trail to the finals, before that Wyoming Area, before that Wyoming Seminary, Crestwood. I’m seeing a pattern here. Don’t you?”
Second year Wyoming Seminary head coach, new head coach, but not new to the teams, Margaret Kerrick, said it best, “the style of play in District 2 is a team game versus building a team around one or two stars.”
That’s what makes District 2 tough.
I’m anxiously waiting to see who’s the last team standing at the end of the season. It could be any one of them. Honesdale? Lake Lehman? Wilkes Barre?
“Seasoned leadership is important and has impacted the longevity of District 2 success year after year,” Honesdale Head Coach Becca Maciejewski said.
Dallas Area High School Head Coach Mackenzie Gagliardi backed her up.
“The Wyoming Valley Conference has some of the best hockey due to the hometown hockey heroes,” Gagliardi said.
Wherever you are or whomever is talking about field hockey, Pennsylvania high school field hockey is almost always brought into the conversation.
It’s that simple because Pennsylvania is the hotbed for field hockey in the United States. When talking about Pennsylvania you’re also talking about northeast Pennsylvania and, more specifically, PIAA District 2.
I personally have been umpiring for over 17 years and have seen different regional hockey; umpired many teams across many PIAA districts. Every District has a style that is unique to their region.
For instance, in District 11, Emmaus owns the turf war with their finesse, targeted hard push passes, and legendary leader head coach Sue Butz Stavin. All teams in District 11 try to adjust to Emmaus’ playing style and challenge them consistently year after year.
I see Easton’s star rising or could it be Parkland, or Northampton…Nazareth?
Travel to District 1, where you have a lot of teams honing their skills.
Head west to District 3, pick a team, any team to the final spot in state playoffs. I personally drive North to District 2 to watch hard driven balls down the field, grit and well-balanced aggression. That competition never gives up.
“We have many gritty players in the conference that aren’t afraid of the circle,” Lake Lehman Head Coach Jean Lipski said. “They will dive for a goal.”
Two seasons ago, it was Wyoming Area’s defense that brought down team after team until they reached the final stage.
“I feel a lot of teams play with grit and are extremely determined and that’s what sets District 2 apart from the rest,” Wyoming Area Head Coach Bree Bednarski said.
Earlier I brought up smashmouth field hockey. It’s exactly how it sounds: in-your-face to the end of the match kind of game, of course, without the literal physicality. Mental physicality drives teams in the District 2 region.
The coaches have been here for a long time, many have very little turnover rates. And that dedication shows.
“Our success is that many coaches stick with the program for years…decades,” Lipski said.
You can’t get the coaches to leave the sport they love.
“Seasoned leadership has impacted the longevity of District 2’s success,” Maciejewski said.
Many of the coaches have been here for years, in fact, decades.
Show up to the games up north and you’ll see past alumni in the bleachers or on the sideline coaching. Let’s just say plenty of alumni have come back to the valley they call home.
I had the chance to briefly speak with two up and coming coaches recently, Bednarski and Gagliardi, and they bleed District 2 hockey. They speak with passion and respect for the game and are excited to teach the teams from their own experiences.
“Our conference is a gold mine for the hardest working female athletes,” Nanticoke Head Coach Kayla Reakes said.
Another reason District 2 has success is the offseason club scene.
The area is vast but not big enough to bring numerous club opportunities. The girls pick from basically two highly respected clubs – Electric Surge or NEPA force. These two clubs raise talent to the next level, the ownership is top notch: professional, respectful, and patiently building the next future state champ or Olympic hopeful.
“Clubs like Surge elevate the playing field even more,” Delaware Valley Head Coach Marielle Cohen said. “They bring back high-level skill learned to their high school team and pass on the knowledge to ones not playing club.”
We are just getting the season underway but let’s all take a breath, relax, sit back and watch games unfold no matter what district you are from. Remember to be a guardian of the game, cheer on the teams respectfully, congratulate all players, and cherish the moment that your or someone else’s daughter is in.
Patrick Frank is a PIAA, NCAA, and USA Field Hockey umpire.
Thank you for reading Female Athlete News.
By FAN – US
