Medina will host defending champion Akron in N-O field hockey opener

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading the Medina field hockey team this season will be this group of senior veterans. In front are Penelope Schalck, Sophia Castricone, Tatianna Maxon and Ava Blount. In back are Madison Farley, Emilianna Batista, Maggie Lonnen, Lilah Class and Morgan Zeiner. Missing is Malloree Rinker.

A veteran group of 10 seniors leads the way for the Medina field hockey team which will open Niagara-Orleans League competition against defending champion Akron at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Vets Park.

Penelope Schalck, who earned first team N-O All-League honors last fall heads that group which also has five All-League Honorable Mention selections in Malloree Rinker, Tatianna Maxon, Sophia Castricone, Emilianna Batista and Maggie Lonnen.  Schalck had 20 goals and 11 assists.

Rounding out the Mustangs senior group are Ava Blount, Madison Farley, Morgan Zeiner and Lilah Class.

Coach Amber Cleaveland’s Mustangs also return experience in juniors Adelynne Lacy and Isabella Perez along with sophomore Jenelle Stalker.

“We do have a large senior group with a lot of experience so hopefully that will help us have a good season,” said Cleaveland. “We have a very challenging opener in Akron.”

Medina went 6-6 in N-O action and 10-7 overall last fall.

Akron which captured its fifth straight N-O title last fall with a 12-0 record has a good veteran nucleus led by returning first team All-League honorees senior Marissa Brege and juniors Madigan Regan and Madison Gates; second team honorees senior Morgan Tomporowski and junior Alexis Salmon and Honorable Mention selection sophomore Mackenzie Tomporowski.