Mustangs face challenging early season N-O League field hockey schedule

Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading Medina into the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League field hockey season is this group of returnees. In front are Emma Wagner, Alex Strong, Dakota Alexander and Charisma Roy. In back are Lydia Fox, Rachel Hill, Arianna Bloom, Penelope Schalck and Paige Dix.

Anchored by a good nucleus of nine returnees, Medina is facing a challenging start to the Niagara-Orleans League field hockey season as the Mustangs will host the defending co-champions in the first two games.

Medina will host Barker in the opener at 4 p.m. Friday and then entertain Akron next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Barker and Akron shared the N-O title last season with identical 11-1 records.

The Mustangs, which are looking to improve on last year’s 3-7-2 N-O record, return experience in seniors Emma Wagner, Alex Strong, Dakota Alexander and Charisma Roy; juniors Lydia Fox, Rachel Hill, Paige Dix; sophomore Arianna Bloom and eighth grader Penelope Schalck.

“The league is always tough but we have a good group back ,” said Coach Amber Cleaveland.

The Mustangs graduation losses include first team N-O All-League honoree FaithAnn Vanderwalker, Honorable Mention selection Abigail Blount along with Sophia Cardone and Hannah Kenward.

Schedule

September: 3 – Barker, 4 p.m.; 8 -Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 11 – Kenmore, 10 a.m.; 13 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 18 – Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; 22 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 25 – at Barker, 10 a.m.; 29 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.

October: 4 – at Kenmore, 4:30 p.m.; 7 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 15 – at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; 18 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.