MAX Field Hockey is excited to expand our High School coach awards this Fall. We have previously only recognized Regional Coaches of the Year and a National Coach of the Year. This year we have expanded our recognitions to also include a State Coach of the Year for each of the 22 states. Thank you to all who submitted nominations and congratulations to the selected coaches!
NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR
PA/NJ REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
PENNSYLVANIA STATE COACH OF THE YEAR
MATT SOTO
Penn Manor High School
Soto led the top ranked team in the nation to a perfect season in the toughest High School field hockey conference in the country. The Comets finished the season 28-0-0 as the PIAA AAA State Champions, District 3 Champions, and Lancaster-Lebanon League Champions. The 2017 State Championship was Soto and the Comet’s 3rd title in program history and their first time ever going undefeated. The state title win over #3 Downingtown West was one of six victories the Comets registered over teams that ranked in the Final National Top 25 Rankings.
NEW ENGLAND REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
MASSACHUSETTS STATE COACH OF THE YEAR
MAUREEN NOONE
Andover High School
Maureen Noone led New England’s top ranked team this Fall to a 22-0-1 undefeated season, a Merrimack Valley Conference Division I league title, North Division I title, and Division I State Championship. Her 20 season coaching career at Andover is now an impressive 312-50-50 and includes 14 league titles (they have won the last 4). The Warriors finished 2017 with 12 shutouts, wins over 4 of New England’s final Top 20 ranked teams in the state tournament, and a final National Ranking of #17.
NORTHEAST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
CONNECTICUT STATE COACH OF THE YEAR
JAMIE BROWER
Greenwich Academy
In her 4th season as Head Coach, Jamie Brower led Greenwich Academy to a NEPSAC A Conference Championship, the first title under her leadership. The Gators had lost to Phillips Andover Academy in overtime of the NEPSAC A semifinal the last two seasons and they would have to get through them again this Fall, this time in the championship final. Senior All-American midfielder Manveer Sandhu’s penalty stroke goal 6 minutes into overtime would secure the championship for GA. The Gators finished a dominant 19-1-0 season, with a Final Northeast Region Ranking of #3 (the highest ranked Connecticut team), and outscoring opponents 73-14.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
VIRGINIA STATE COACH OF THE YEAR
MARY WERKHEISER
Norfolk Academy
In her 22nd season, Werkheiser led the #2 team in the nation to a perfect 25-0-0 season and VISAA Division I and TCIS Championships. The 2017 Division I Championship was Werkheiser and the Bulldog’s 2nd consecutive title and 3rd in the last four years. The Division I title win over Trinity Episcopal was one of eight wins Werkheiser’s talented squad registered over teams ranked in the Final Mid-Atlantic Top 20 Rankings. They also defeated the #16 ranked squad from the PA/NJ Region, Conestoga High School (PA), and the #6 ranked squad from the West/Mid-West Region, Assumption High School (KY).
WEST/MID-WEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
TEXAS/OKLAHOMA STATE COACH OF THE YEAR
JACKIE CICONTE
The Kinkaid School
We chose to include the actual information provided on the nomination form that was submitted for Coach Ciconte for why she deserves to be coach of the year as we could never come close to summarizing what she did for her team this Fall.
“Coach Ciconte pulled this team together after a devastating start to our school year. Only 2 days into the school year and less than a week before the first game of the season, Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas Coast. School was shut down and over the next few days we watched this storm head towards our city. Sadly, our area was one of those hit hardest. The school grounds took on water and not one person in the school did not experience some level of trauma as a result of the storm. More than 50 families in the school lost their homes, including field hockey families.
School was cancelled for 2 weeks while we waited for water levels to fall. There were no practices, as the fields were flooded. When school did resume September 5th, even as the water dropped, the team could still not practice on the fields because the turf had to be disinfected. The first 3 games of the season were cancelled. Since the fields could not be used, Coach Ciconte worked with the girls on conditioning and mental preparedness on September 5 & 6. On September 7th, the fields were finally safe to use, so the team got in a real practice. The next day, September 8th, the team left for the Hockaday tournament and what would be their first games of the season.
It was a rough tournament, to say the least. Coach Ciconte, however, stayed positive and continued to encourage the team. Practices continued and we started to see them coming together. As a team and through field hockey, these girls were starting to heal from the trauma we had all experienced. Coach Ciconte created a normal in what had become very abnormal— outside of school a 15 minutes drive was now taking 2 hours and the city took on the look of a war zone, as people’s flooded possessions and home interiors piled up on the streets. For most of the season, there were mountains of molding, decaying trash lining all of our roads. As the season progressed, the team became stronger and stronger and a true family formed.
Coach Ciconte created a team that fought together and, as a result, were able to win the SPC Championship, something Kinkaid has not achieved since 1999- 18 years!! She’s been amazing and supportive, and extraordinary at a time when that was so badly needed in our community. It’s easy to coach when everything is perfect, but it’s when circumstances are dire that you will see the truest talents shine. Jackie Ciconte has been a shining star this season.”
2017 STATE COACHES OF THE YEAR
CALIFORNIA
HENRY REYES
Los Gatos High School
While maybe not the exact ending Los Gatos Head Coach Henry Reyes was looking for this Fall (settling for a share of the Central Coast Section Championship after ending in a 0-0 tie with Archbishop Mitty) Reyes’ dominant squad still accomplished something pretty special. The Wildcats finished 17-0-1 without allowing a single goal to be scored on them the entire season, a first for Reyes in his 26 seasons at the helm. The undefeated season extends Los Gatos’ undefeated streak to 89 games, with their last loss dating back to the 2012 section final. The 2017 title was the Wildcat’s 5th consecutive and 15th overall. Los Gatos finished the season ranked #8 in the West/Mid-West Final Regional Rankings.
COLORADO
PAUL LEWIS
Palmer Ridge High School
Head Coach Paul Lewis finally broke through in his 10th and final season at Palmer Ridge (he announced this Fall would be his final season coaching). He led the Bears to a historic season and first ever state championship. After falling short in three recent state finals, including the 2016 final to Kent Denver, the Bears were able to prevail with a 2017 state championship final win over Kent Denver after two overtime periods and a shootout. Lewis’ squad finished the season 16-1-1, with a Final West/Mid-West Region Ranking of #9, and breaking program records for most wins in a season (16) and goals in a season (75).
DELAWARE
ROBIN ADAIR
Tower Hill School
In her 18th season, Head Coach Robin Adair led Tower Hill to a 16-1-1 finish, a final Mid-Atlantic Region Ranking of #10, and through as tough of a fight as the state’s top ranked Delmar squad saw all season. The Hilltopers entered the state tournament undefeated, eventually facing Delmar in the state’s first ever Division II state championship. The two squads had met in the 2016 open final- Delmar won that match-up 3-0. While Tower Hill would finish as the Division 2 Runner-Up, Adairs squad put up a valiant 2-3 fight against the top-ranked and very talented Delmar squad. It was the only game Delmar won by less than three goals all season. Adair, well-respected and considered a coaching legend in the state, was also named the 2017 State Coach of the Year by the DIAA.
ILLINOIS
ALYSSA DUDZIK
North Shore Country Day School
Alyssa Dudzik led NSCDS to a historic season this Fall. NSCDS is a small school with an enrollment of only 228 students. In comparison, the two-time state champ Lake Forest High School has over 1,600 students. The Raiders had never made it to the State Championship game before. The program’s highest finish had been third place. Last Fall, they finished fourth. With a special group that included nine seniors, Dudzik’s squad pulled out a 2-1 double OT win over New Trier in the state semifinal to make it to their first ever state title game where they would face the defending state champions, Lake Forest. Lake Forest would claim the title with a 2-0 victory, their 4th title in 6 years, but the Raiders would finish their best season in history as the state runner-up with a 19-3 record and a Final West/Mid-West Ranking of #13.
KENTUCKY
AMY ELLIOTT
Kentucky Country Day School
In her 12th season as Head Coach, Amy Elliott led KCD to a Region 1 District Championship and State Quarterfinal appearance. The Bearcats defeated the 2017 State Champions CAL in the regular season, and then lost to them in the state quarterfinal game on a goal with less than 8 seconds left in regulation. Finishing 22-5-0, Elliott’s 2017 squad registered the most wins in program history. They also just missed the Final West/Mid-West Top 20 Rankings, finishing as “Others Considered.” Elliott was also named the 2017 Coach of the Year by the Kentucky Field Hockey Coaches Association.
MAINE
BRIAN KAY & JENNIFER BROWN
Saint Dominic Academy
Co-Head Coaches Brian Kay (18th season) and Jennifer Brown (1st season) led the only undefeated team in the state of Maine this Fall. Capturing the program’s first ever Class C State title with only two subs and three players with little or no experience was an impressive feat. So was St. Dominic’s ability to put the ball in the back of the net. The Saints outscored opponents 143-9, and just missed the Maine season scoring record by seven goals. Senior Hannah Trottier-Brown broke the state’s single-season scoring record and her 59th and final career goal would be the Class C State Championship winner in double overtime to give St. Dominic Academy their first ever title.
MARYLAND
KATRINA ROSS
Notre Dame Prep School
Katrina Ross led NDP to the program’s first ever IAAM A Conference Championship this Fall. The Blazer’s finished a perfect 18-0 season as the top squad in the state of Maryland, the #4 ranked team in the Mid-Atlantic Region and the #15 ranked team in the Nation. In just two short season, Ross has taken a middle of the pack program to a second place regular season and conference tournament runner-up finish in 2016, to a regular season and tournament champion in 2017. Outscoring opponents 77-8 with only one starting senior, this will certainly not be the last we will hear from Ross and NDP.
MICHIGAN
LAUREN HALL
Huron High School
Second year Head Coach Lauren Hall led a talented Huron team with only two seniors to an undefeated 19-0-1 season and the Michigan Division I State Championship. The River Rats outscored their opponents 96-7 and only allowed more than one goal to be scored on them in the state semifinal game in a 6-2 win over Marian. Hall’s squad finished the season with a final West/Mid-West Region ranking of #4 and high expectations for the 2018 season.
MISSOURI
KATE GRAFT
Villa Duchesne & Oak Hill School
Kate Graft led a talented Villa Duchesne team to it’s first Midwest Field Hockey Championship in ten years. She also hit a coaching milestone, earning career win number 200 in early October in a come from behind 3-2 win over her alma mater Lafayette High School (who went on to win the Public School Championship). The Saints finished the season 27-2-0 on a 19-game win streak and with a final West/Mid-West Region Ranking of #3. The 2-1 championship win over rival MICDS in an overtime shootout was a big breakthrough for Villa, as MICDS has edged them out in several of the past championships. Graft returns 15 of 19 players next season.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
KARRI PETERSONÂ
Newfound Regional High School
Karri Peterson led the only undefeated team in the state of New Hampshire this Fall to a perfect 17-0 season and the NHIAA Division III State Championship. The state title was her 4th win in 5 appearances. Her experienced Bears squad that included 7 seniors and 3 juniors was dominant all season, outscoring opponents 75-6 and registering 11 shutouts. Entering the tournament as the #1 seed, they knocked off the defending state champs, Guilford, 5-1 in the semis and then Mascoma Valley in the final, 2-0. It was Newfound Valley’s first time back in the title game since 2009.
NEW JERSEY
ALI GOOD
Oak Knoll School
Ali Good led the top squad in the state of New Jersey this Fall to a Non-Public School Championship and the ultimate Tournament of Champions Championship (the winner of all the different level state champions). Finishing an undefeated 25-0-1 season, outscoring opponents 151-14, and registering 15 shutouts, the small private school of less than 250 students finished the season as the #1 ranked squad in New Jersey, #4 in the PA/NJ Region, and #6 in the nation. With a 2-1 overtime win over rival and national powerhouse Eastern Regional in the Tournament of Champions final, the Royals claimed their second title in program history despite playing much of the season without some of their big name stars.
NEW YORK
NICOLE HUSTON
Whitney Point High School
In her 7th season, Head Coach and Whitney Point alum Nicole Huston led the Golden Eagles to their 4th straight Section IV title and 4th straight New York State Class C State Championship. They become one of just three teams in Section IV history to win 4 straight titles (across all sports). After losing their season opener to Afton 3-2, Whitney Point went on to win 21 straight. On a goal by junior All-American Leanne Bough with less than 4 minutes to play, the Golden Eagles claimed the 2017 C State Championship with a 1-0 win over Section VIII’s Carle Place. Huston’s squad, who returns 9 of 11 starters next year, finished the season as the #4 ranked team in the Northeast Region.
NORTH CAROLINA
DEB SAVINO
Charlotte Latin School
In her 10th season, Head Coach Deb Savino guided Charlotte Latin to a perfect 20-0-0 season and their 3rd straight NCISAA State Championship. The 2017 championship was the 5th title for the Hawks and Savino and their 2nd straight undefeated season. Latin was dominant all season, knocking off the state’s toughest competition with convincing margins, including a 3-0 win over Providence Day School in the state final. They finished the 2017 season as the #1 ranked team in the state and #7 ranked team in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
OHIO
TERRI SIMONETTI FROST
Thomas Worthington High School
In her 19th season, Head Coach Terri Simonetti Frost guided Thomas Worthington to a perfect 21-0-0 season and their 3rd straight OHSAA State Championship, 6th title overall. With a 1-0 win over Ohio powerhouse and rival Columbus Academy in the state final, the Cardinals registered their 15th shutout of the season. Prior to that win, Columbus Academy had not allowed a goal since September 9th (when they lost to Thomas Worthington 2-1). Frost’s squad finished the season allowing just 6 goals through 21 games and as the #2 ranked team in the Final West/Mid-West Rankings and #24 ranked team in the nation.
RHODE ISLAND
MARTI KANE
Wheeler School
In her 4th season, Marti Kane led the Wheeler School program from a 13-5 finish and state semifinal appearance in 2016 to an undefeated 19-0 season and Rhode Island Division II State Championship in 2017. The Warriors beat Lincoln School 1-0 in the state final on Grace Moorehead’s corner goal after time had expired. The state championship is Kane’s first with the Warriors and the program’s 8th overall title, the first since 2009.
VERMONT
ANJIE SOUCY
South Burlington High School
In her 16th season, Anjie Soucy led South Burlington to their 3rd straight Vermont Division I State Championship. After suffering their lone loss of the season to rival Champlain Valley Union (2-0 on October 7th), Soucy’s Wolves stormed through the state tournament where they would face CVU again, this time in the state final. A 3-0 offensive surge in the first half would hold for the Wolves to claim the 2017 title. Soucy’s squad finished the season 16-1-0 as the top squad in the state of Vermont and with a Final New England Region Ranking of #9.
WISCONSIN
KATIE SCHLOSSER
Brookfield Academy
Schlosser led Brookfield Academy to an undefeated 16-0-1 season and their second consecutive Wisconsin State Championship in her 4th season as head coach. The Blue Knights captured the 2017 title with a 3-0 win over Divine Savior Holy Angels. Schlosser’s squad also travelled down to Missouri to the Gateway Classic where they showed their strength out of state, going 2-0-1 in pool play with a 3-2 win over Nerinx Hall (MO), a 1-1 tie against Lafayette (the eventual Missouri public school champions) and a 1-0 win over Mercy Academy (KY).
