By Henry Luzzatto

Correspondent

Lakeland High School’s field hockey team will return to the field to build on the successes of last season.

Last year saw the team finish third in a tough conference that featured powerhouse York High School and eventual state champion Tabb High School. The team ended the season with an overall 11-7 record. Head coach Cortney Parker said she is looking for the team to continue its good form.

“We want to be up there competing with the best,” Parker said. “Ideally, we want to make it to regionals.”

Though the Lady Cavaliers are aiming high, they may have more difficulties this season since they have lost six seniors from last year.

Stasha Waterfield and Shannon Leonard are two of the seniors who will be missed this season. Waterfield and Leonard were the Lady Cavs’ top scorers last season, and both were named to the all-conference first team. Waterfield, a center midfielder, was key to the team’s offense, scoring 11 goals and assisting five more last season. Leonard, a center forward, added to that total with six goals and five assists.

Despite the loss of key players, Parker said the younger athletes are ready to make the step up and contribute to the team.

“We’ve got a lot of younger girls moving up, and now it’s all about connecting and gelling with each others’ styles,” Parker said.

Parker said she hopes to continue with the team’s aggressive offense last season, despite the departure of key seniors. Additionally, Lakeland will have a strong defensive unit anchored by senior captains Kaylene Thomas and Haley Beale.

Thomas made the all-conference first team last season with three defensive saves, a goal and an assist. Though she is a primarily defensive player, Thomas said she hopes to contribute to every phase of play and make up for the potential loss of firepower.

“As a defender, my No. 1 goal is to help the team defensively,” Thomas said. “I also want to help the team progress through the field offensively and build attacks.”

Beale, who plays sweeper, the deepest-lying defender, said she plans to lead the team by example. Beale is a captain this season, a role she said she is happy to have.

“It feels great to be captain this season,” she said. “There’s pressure, but I can handle it.”

Beale said the team is aiming high this season, with the ultimate goal of being the No. 1 team in the conference.

“We feel good about the season,” she said. “We can definitely do well.”

While athletic skill may be key to getting results on the field, Parker said the camaraderie and team spirit will help the team reach its height of success.

“They’re absolutely ready for the season to start,” she said. “This is the best group of girls I’ve had in terms of getting along well and pushing each other to do better.”