HUNTINGDON, PA- Coming off a 15-6 season that saw them win the Landmark Conference title for the first time in five years, the Juniata field hockey team welcomes nine players to the squad this season. These athletes join an already talented group that will look to defend its crown in 2015.
"This freshman class is a wonderful group to reload with for all that we graduated in 2015," said head coach Caroline Gillich. "We graduated leadership, knowledge, heart, hard work and teamwork in that class as well as the ability to believe that on any given day anything could happen. We graduated a good portion of our midfield, our goalkeepers, as well as defense and some attack. This group coming in strengthens us in every area. They are a fun-loving and hard-working class and we cannot wait to have them on our turf every day as we strive towards becoming the best team JCFH 2015 can be.
Cameron Buoy (Mifflinburg, PA/Mifflinburg HS)
Buoy played midfield and defense for four years. She was a Second Team All-Star on defense in 2013 for the Heartland Athletic Conference Division I. She was also named to the preseason team for defense, was a First Team All-Star, and team captain in senior year.
"Cameron is a steady presence in the backfield," noted Gillich. "She is a smart player defensively that supports our system really well in playing team defense. She has great vision and ability to find the hidden pass to teammates that are 20-30 yards away. She will increase the pace of our transition game from defense to offense. She also has a great shot on cage so we will be looking to utilize her skills there as well.
Kylie Edwards (Danville, PA/Danville)
Edwards was a three-sport athlete where she was a goalkeeper in both field hockey and lacrosse and a catcher/outfielder in softball. She was a three-year varsity starter on the field hockey team and was a PHAC First Teamer in 2013 and 2014. Edwards was a three-time MVP, two-time unsung hero, and was named player of the game on four occasions. She was also captain of the U-19 Bison Field Hockey Club and a member of the PA Keystones from 2011-2014 where she earned a bronze medal last year. She also won a bronze medal at the 2012 Disney showcase.
"Kylie is an athletic, explosive and technically strong keeper that has played hockey year round with her high school and club team," said Gillich. "She has good communication skills and sees the game well in front of her."
Jess Gray (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown)
Gray was a goalkeeper for four years and also a member of the track and field team where she threw javelin. She earned the Unsung Hero Award from the field hockey club of South Jersey. She was also an Academic All-American and received a scholarship from the Bordentown Field Hockey Booster Club. Her senior year team made it to the sectional semi-finals.
"Jess is a walk-on goalkeeper that we will be utilizing in our goalkeeper rotation both in practices and games," remarked Gillich. "We are excited to see what she brings to the position."
Santana Mays (Parkton, MD/Hereford)
Mays was a four-year member of the Hereford field hockey team where she lettered for two years. She also was a runner on the cross-country team for one season. Her field hockey team was the 2014 state champs.
"Santana is a jack-of-all-trades in goal," said Gillich. "She is able to come up with routine saves and isn't afraid to get a little messy or creative when times call for it. She has great strength and ability to explode and cover big shots."
Sara Mills (Latrobe, PA/Greater Latrobe HS)
Mills was a forward and midfielder for four years at Greater Latrobe and also played lacrosse for two years. She was a team captain in her senior year and a 2014 Keystone Games participant. Mills was a member of the 2014 WPIAL All-Star team.
"Sara Mills is a tenacious attacker that fights to get shots off on goal," stated Gillich. "She has a good sense of where to be and when off the ball and once she has it in the offensive 25, you know something good is about to happen."
Kayla Poe (Bloomsburg, PA/Central Columbia)
Poe was a back for six years at Central Columbia where she was also a cheerleader for two years. "Kayla is a walk-on that has primarily played defense through high school, remarked Gillich. "She will have time to develop as we return a veteran defense."
Lindsay Scholten (Brookfield, CT/Brookfield)
Scholten was a forward for all four years and also played attack in lacrosse and was a mid-distance runner in track. She was Second Team All-State in 2013 and a First-Teamer in 2014. Scholten was First Team All SW Conference in 2013 and 2014 and All-Patriot Division in 2012. Academically, Scholten was All-State Scholastic, a CIAC-CAS Scholar-Athlete, and named to the SW Conference All-Academic Team in 2012 and 2014. Her team was a SW Conference Semi-finalist in 2014 and earned the SW Conference Sportsmanship Award in 2012.
"Lindsay is a strong attacker," noted Gillich. "She has great stick work and controls the ball well both in individual possession and in passing. She is intense in the circle and works to get hard shots off on cage. She can finish in close and blast the ball from mid-range or the top of the circle. She has plenty of weapons and we will look to her for some scoring this season."
Meredith Shepard (Cazenovia, NY/Cazenovia)
Shepard was a two-year letterwinner and also earned three letters in indoor and outdoor track. Her team was the state runner-up in 2013. She was All-Central New
York, All-League, and All-State in 2014 and was also named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Shepard was selected to the National Futures Tournament this year.
"Meredith is a strong player in the midfield and defense," said Gillich. "She helps to control possession with smart passing and sets teammates up by feeding them the ball. She works tirelessly to support her teammates. On defense, she is someone you can count on to get back and work off the ball and her teammates. She is smart around the defensive goal and may be seen coming up with some defensive saves. She will be used on special teams as well on defensive and offensive corners."
Becca Waite (West Grove, PA/Avon Grove)
Waite was a back and midfielder for six years and earned three letters at Avon Grove. She also played three years for the Horizon Field Hockey Club. She was All-Chester County Second Team Defense in her sophomore and junior years and First Team in her senior campaign. Waite was All Area Second Team on defense (Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties) in her sophomore season and All-State PIAA and Honorable Mention on defense. In her senior year, Waite was a captain, received the team's Most Outstanding Player Award, and was named to the National Academic Squad
"Rebecca is a strong defensive and midfield player," stated Gillich. "She has great speed and acceleration to the ball and with the ball. Defensively, she has strong tackles and combines her speed with anticipation to come up with interceptions. She will add in as a specialist on defensive corners at the fly and trail positions."
