2020 Charlotte-area private school field hockey preview
Last week, the N.C. Independent Schools Board of Trustees voted to move ahead with fall sports.
High school football practice will begin next week and games will begin Sept. 25.
Cross-country, girls tennis and girls golf will begin the week of Sept. 8. The following week, field hockey, volleyball and boys soccer return.
We continue today with girls field hockey
Field Hockey Teams to Watch
Charlotte Country Day: The defending NCISAA state champions return 13 starters from a 18-3-2 team. The Bucs have some key positions to fill, but will lean on junior all-state forward Cameron Park and senior midfielder Ellie Dixon to lead the offense, while sophomore goalkeeper Zella Thomas and junior defender Caroline Switzer will lead the defense for a team expected to contend again.
Charlotte Latin: After winning back-to-back state titles with a 37-3 record in 2017 and 2018 (including a perfect 21-0 in 2017), Charlotte Latin slipped to 8-10 last year, including 0-4 in CISAA league play. This year, with 15 starters returning, the Hawks expect that trend to end. All-state senior goalkeeper Grace Crutchfield and defenders Emma Carter and Molly Clark will lead the defense, while senior midfielder Elizabeth Hunter is the team’s best returning offensive weapon.
Covenant Day: The Lions enjoyed their first winning season in school history last year (10-7) and were extremely competitive in CISAA conference play, despite finishing 1-5 in the league. This season, Covenant Day returns nine starters, led by all-state performers in senior center midfielder Carolina Dancu (nine goals, 18 assists) and sophomore forward Josie Mae Gruendel.
Providence Day: The Chargers have plenty of motivation going into the 2020 season after losing a 3-2 in overtime to rival Charlotte Country Day in the state championship game last year. Providence Day returns 10 starters, including all-state performers like senior Grace Stokes (six goals, eight assists) and Lucy Osherow (10 goals) as well as sophomores Virginia Olin (eight goals). Sophomores Kate Longo (midfielder/defender) and Elizabeth Tegeler (goalkeeper) return with junior Katie Teates on a defense that allowed one goal per game last year.
Field Hockey Players to Watch
Grace Crutchfield, Charlotte Latin, Sr.: All-state goalkeeper will have to play at a high level for Charlotte Latin to get back above .500 and in the thick of the league race.
Carolina Dancu, Covenant Day, Sr.: The Central Michigan commit and midfielder is one of the most dangerous offensive players in the state (nine goals, 18 assists).
Lucy Osherow, Providence Day, So.: Chargers’ all-state midfielder/forward (10 goals, five assists) headlines a standout sophomore class with midfielder, Claire Casey, sophomore forward, Caroline Krisko, midfielder/forward Virginia Olin and goalkeeper, Elizabeth Tegeler
Cameron Park, Charlotte Country Day, Jr.: All-state forward had 12 goals and six assists in her sophomore season.
Field Hockey Players on the Rise
Clara Juckett, Charlotte Latin, So.: Hawks’ midfielder/forward missed a lot of her freshman year with injury. Coach Nikki Williams believes her skills and smarts on the field will help Juckett be a big contributor this season.
Ella Louise Kocmond, Providence Day, Fr.: Chargers’ midfielder has the ability to have immediate impact, adding her skills to a veteran lineup.
Josie Mae Gruendel, Covenant Day, So.: Lions’ sophomore forward enjoyed an all-state season as a freshman.
Zella Thomas, Charlotte Country Day, So.: The Bucs’ goalkeeper will play a huge role in Country Day’s success with junior defender, Caroline Switzer, also a major player.
Interesting Notes
Defending NCISAA state champion Charlotte Country Day has played in five of the last seven NCISAA state title games, winning three championships (2013, 2014, 2019), while posting two state runner-up finishes (2015, 2018). Charlotte Country Day lost in the state semifinals in the other two years (2016, 2017). The Bucs’ field hockey team has 13 state championships in total.
Providence Day sophomore Lucy Osherow enjoyed an all-state season as a freshman last year. In the offseason, she attended the United States’ Field Hockey Association’s Junior National camp last summer in Lancaster, PA.
Covenant Day earned its first-ever CISAA victory in a 3-2 overtime victory over Charlotte Latin on Sept. 26. But the Lions were close in all six league games with every contest with all but one decided by one goal.
Conference Predictions
CISAA Conference
Providence Day; 2. Charlotte Country Day; 3. Covenant Day; 4. Charlotte Latin.
This story was originally published September 4, 2020 at 3:55 PM.