Fall Season Preview

First Field Hockey

After a rousing trip to the New England Class A semi-finals last season, First Field Hockey is poised to again be one of the top teams in the region.  With 13 returners, the squad has a good deal of experience mixed with some new talent.  Leading the team will be Sixth Form captains Sara Nolan, Margaret Miller and Maddie King.  In 2008, Nolan proved to be a stalwart defender and led a defense that let in only 17 goals in 19 games.  Carmen MacDonald ’11 will return for her second year in goal.  Making steady progress over the course of the season, MacDonald proved integral to the team’s big victories last season.  On the offensive end, the two leading scorers are back as well, Paige Decker ’10 and Rachel Farrel ’11, who, along with King, will challenge their opponents with their speedy and aggressive play up front.  With her strong stick skills, the team will look to Mallory Mason ’11 to lead the midfield, and utility players Sara Ugalde ’10 and Rachel Kennedy ’12 will help out on both ends of the field.  Newcomers who are likely to contribute from the first whistle are Alli Devins ’13 in the midfield with her strong stick skills, speed and athleticism; Brooke Heron ’12 also in the midfield and defensive end; and Eleni Tebano ’13, who looks to be impressive with her speed and raw athleticism. For a program that has established itself as not only highly competitive but fun to watch, it should prove to be another exciting season on Observatory Field.

First Girls’ Soccer

With two trips to the Class A tournament in as many years, First Girls’ Soccer will again strive to have a standout season.  Despite losing a number of strong defenders to graduation, the team will look to the strength and experience of captain Corinne Werner ’10 to lead the backfield.  She will be joined by some talented new arrivals to the team who will help support goaltender Kristen Maxwell ’10.  The team’s midfield, which will benefit from experience and speed, is led by a number of returning players, including captain Laura Gineo ’10, Clare Ulrich ’10, Gaby Christman ’11 and Leigh Anne Baldwin ’11.  Finally, the squad will rely on quick and talented forwards Amanda Boulier ’11 and Stephanie Piperno ’11 to lead the attack.  After a strong first season as a Third Former, Piperno missed 2008 with an injury, and the team is very excited to have her back in the lineup.  Coach Whitney Jackson ’96 expects her strong and proven midfield to distribute the ball well and dictate play in what should be another exciting season for the squad.

First Boys’ Soccer

After completing a .500 season in 2008, First Boys’ Soccer will attempt to get over the hump this fall.  Strong experience and leadership from captain Will Smith ’09 will be integral to the team’s success.  Will, who will oversee a strong midfield, is a four-year starter with two-time All-League and All-State honors.  He recently committed to William and Mary for next year.  He will be aided by Brad Woodruff ’11 in the center of the field, who made impressive contributions last year.  Coach Peter Ulrich is also excited about the return of Andrew Pappas ’10 and Dan Hnatko ’10 who both missed the previous season.  For the first time in a number of years, two Third Formers also made the squad. It should be an exciting fall for the Martlets as they mix experience and skill with new talent.

Boys’ Cross Country

Only losing two top runners to graduation from an undefeated 2008 squad, Boys’ Cross Country has a number of returning harriers who will once again run for the Martlets, providing both leadership and speed.  Colin McLaughlin ’10, the team’s top runner last season, will again set the pace for the team.  He is joined by runners who made great progress over the course of last fall: Jacob Lee ’11, Vladmir Bok ’10, Ben Mandell ’10 and Kip Denoyer ’10.  As always, Coach Mark de Kanter ’91 has a cohesive group of runners who work hard each day to improve their conditioning and speed.  And while the group will need to fill out its ranks with some new and second team runners, it is confident that its commitment to the sport will lead to gratifying results.

Girls’ Cross Country

Losing a couple of their top runners to graduation, First Girls’ Cross Country will look to some new faces on the squad.  Co-captain Kathryn Brady ’10 proved to be one of the fastest Martlets in 2008 and will again place among the fastest Westminster girls.  She is joined by newcomer Erin Wallace ’10, who early in the season and her career, has already proven capable of fast times.  Co-captain Anne Cervas ’10 will also provide leadership and support to the many new and younger runners.  It should prove to be an exciting season with a large number of fresh, underformer runners having the opportunity to make great improvement over the course of the season.  This group always works hard, has fun while doing it and seems to surpass its expectations.  It is unlikely that this season will be an exception.

First Football

First Football looks forward to another opportunity to improve its intensity, execution and sense of team — one day, one game and one practice at a time during this season.  The 2009 squad boasts a veteran bunch of versatile, athletic players led by five Sixth Form co-captains.  Four-year player Alex Martin (DB/RB) hopes to add to his career totals of 1700 yards and 18 touchdowns by following the blocks of three-year starters Brian McQuillan (LB/G) and James Mangum (DE/C).  Martin's counterpart Stephen Seymour  (DB/RB) was among the team's most versatile players in 2008, as was second-year player Kevin Boyle (LB/TE).  With these five leading the way, a strong core of talented returning underclassmen and a sprinkling of new players, the team is hopeful and expectant that it can continue to play the game fast, hard and together.