Barker field hockey has key holes to fill

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Barker varsity field hockey team include, in front, Kaylee Stoll, Hailey Dodge, Lina Pavlovk and Macie May. In back are Cole Carnes, Maddie Detschner, Ella Taylor, Lizzy Samson, Rachel Sutter, Addison Szafranski and Anna Bowerman.

Looking to fill the holes caused by the loss to graduation of six All-League squad honorees, Barker returns a good nucleus of 10 players with which to again contend for Niagara-Orleans League field hockey honors.

Barker, which has finished either first or second in the final N-O standings 22 of the past 23 seasons, is led by the returning group of seniors Addison Szafranski (Midfield/Attack), Kiera Dalton (Attack/Defense), Rachel Sutter (Attack), Cole Carnes (Attack), Macie May (Attack) and Petra Bish (Attack) along with juniors Lizzy Samson (Defense), Maddie Detschner (Defense), Ella Taylor (Attack) and sophomore Lina Pavlock (Midfield/Attack). The team will be without senior Anna Bowerman (Goalie/Defense) who is out with an injury.

Barker’s key graduation losses included first team N-O All-League honorees Mia Herman and Ashlin Cole, second team selections Miya Goodale and Aaliyah Wheat and Honorable Mention picks Alexa Zglinicki and Alexis Weeks. Herman led the team in scoring with 16 goals.

Barker went 10-2 in N-O action last fall finishing second to undefeated (12-0) Akron.

Akron likewise was hit hard by graduation losing eight All-League squad honorees. That group included first team honorees Madison Brege (20 goals), Lacey Berghorn (17 goals) and Sophia Jones, second team selection Melanie Holtz along with Honorable Mention picks Isabella Jones, Megan Gates, Natalie Ginestre and Emma Olszewski.

Interestingly, Barker will host Akron in the N-O season opener on August 31.