The Stearns field hockey players feel like they can get to the state championship game. Coach Lori Lincoln will be able to see how close her team is to that goal when her team faces John Bapst in the season opener on Wednesday. Lincoln said, "John Bapst is a good challenge to start the season."
Stearns has eight seniors that Lincoln will look to for leadership on the field. Lincoln said, "I have a nice solid team. Brooke Brooker, she is a halfback, she is very good. Ashley Johnson is a good midfielder, this is her fourth year. Mallory Osborne, she will score. Ashley Rollins, she will score some goals."
Baylee Brodeur is a freshman that Coach Lincoln is looking to step right in and contribute. Brodeur will be the starting center/forward. Lincoln said, "She (Brodeur) has lots of speed."
Stearns defense will be anchored by Lori Panakis and Alyssa Beaulieu. Panakis will be the sweeper in front of goalie Kirsten Marter. Beaulieu who has been a goalie in the past will start at halfback this season. Emily Wark will be starting at the other halfback. Lincoln said, "She (Wark) is playing very well." Marter has come out very strong in goal this preseason. Lincoln said, "We have been taking a half hour every practice with the goalies. She (Marter) looks really really good."
Stearns has quite a bit of talent in the starting lineup. Lincoln knows this group has a lot of heart and that could be enough to get these girls where they want to go. Lincoln said, "They have a lot of heart and they want to get to the states. My goal as a coach is to get into the tournament one through four. Get a home game in the quarterfinals, and hopefully the semi-finals"
This is a group that Lincoln and her assistant coach, Mary Osborne have seen play field hockey since they started playing in middle school. Lincoln said, "I am very optimistic. They are great kids. The senior class is very special. We watched them come up through middle school and high school. They are really nice girls."
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