'A Lot Of New Varsity Players' Part Of Chatham Field Hockey Team's Rebuilding Year

CHATHAM, NJ — The Chatham field hockey team is in a rebuilding year, but so far it’s continuing the success of last season.

The Cougars are 4-1-1. Last season, they posted an 11-1 record.

“Over the past several years, the program has been growing stronger,” said Kaitlin Leyden, who is in her seventh year as Chatham’s head coach. “Last year was one of the best seasons for Chatham, which had a lot of talented seniors who graduated. This year, we have a lot of new varsity players.”

Leyden said the team’s goal this year is to learn to play as a unit. The fact that the team graduated so many seniors last year has been a challenge.

“This is a rebuilding year, since we graduated 12 seniors last season―two outstanding goalies and 10 field players who were extremely skilled field hockey players who worked extremely well as one unit,” Leyden said. “This season the players are learning to work as a unit which will take time, but so far it has been a pleasure watching each of them grow. Every game, the team is getting better and understanding how each person plays. They are hard workers who are eager to learn. What more would a coach want?”

There are several players who have been leading the team so far this season.

“Junior Brooke DiBiase is a smart and skilled player who understands the game of field hockey. She is a determined player who always gives her full effort,” Leyden said. “Junior Sarah Lapus plays mid. She is an extremely hard worker who distributes the ball well.”

Senior captains Ellie Hilgendorff and Kate McManus are also contributing in a big way.

“Ellie plays midfield. She never gives up and works extremely hard every day to get better as a player but to also push her teammates to improve,” Leyden said. “Kate is a committed player to Trinity. She is a skilled player who plays as mid.”

Junior Sophia Claps, who is new to the team, and junior Kelsea Lee are also among the team leaders.

“Sophia is a defender who uses her speed and defensive skills to anchor down the defensive end,” Leyden said. “Kelsea plays as a defender. She is an experienced varsity player who is aggressive and always communicating on the field to her peers.”

The Cougars defeated West Morris, 2-1, in the season opener on Sept. 8. Baker Carroll scored the game-winning goal. DiBiase also scored. McManus and Lee contributed assists.

Chatham defeated Randolph, 1-0, on Sept. 10 and Mount Olive, 1-0, on Sept. 14. Maddie Engelkraut scored against Randolph, Emmy Chazen added an assist, and Kelly Bernich made nine saves. In the Mount Olive game, Mia Sciacchitano scored the lone goal.

The team’s only loss came to Mendham 3-2, on Sept. 18. DiBiase and Elizabeth Yarcheski scored for Chatham. The Cougars tied Morristown, 3-3, on Sept. 20. DiBiase scored twice, including the game-tying goal, and Lapus scored once.

Chatham’s last game resulted in a 4-1 victory over Roxbury on Sept. 22. DiBiase, McManus, Yarcheski, and Anna Decesare each scored a goal. Hilgendorff had two assists, and Lapus added an assist.

“We have a small group of seniors this year, but all of them are leaders for the overall team and program,” Leyden said. “We have more underclassmen that make up the varsity program, who are all eager to learn and become better players. They are new to the varsity level, but every day/game the team is connecting and improving. It is a rebuilding year, but we are definitely building every game.”

The Cougars are scheduled to play West Morris Central on Sept. 27; Randolph on Sept. 30; Mount Olive on Oct. 2; Morristown on Oct. 8; Boonton on Oct. 14; Mendham on Oct. 16; Roxbury on Oct. 21; and Sparta on Oct. 25. The Morris County Tournament is set to begin on Oct. 6.