Wildcats rebuilding, coach says

Every practice and game is an opportunity for the High Point Regional High School field hockey team to show improvements on the field.

Look for the Wildcats to take full advantage of those opportunities this year.

High Point is scheduled to begin the regular season with a road game at North Warren on Friday, Sept. 8. The first home game is slated for Wednesday, Sept. 13 against Kittatinny.

“I would like to see our forwards really work on our attack and meet our scoring goals for the season,’’ head coach Kelly Reynolds said. “Since several of our players are now working together for the first time as a varsity team, we are hoping to gel as a team as quickly as possible and be able work together as one unit.’’

Among the returning student athletes are seniors Hanna Gardner (midfield) and Stephanie Gianuzzi (forward and midfield) and juniors Cadence Strehl (forward) and Eliana Savopoulos (goalie).

Promising newcomers include seniors Giselle Monroig (forward), Hailey White (defense), Mia Mastros (defense) and Zofia Guida (defense); juniors Ashley Boffa (forward) and Averie Olinger (midfield); and sophomore Kennedy Shepherd (forward).

Solid leadership is a positive factor for the Wildcats this year.

“Our team captains are Hanna Gardner, Stephanie Gianuzzi and Giselle Monroig, all seniors,’’ Reynolds said. “They have been working hard to establish their leadership roles on the team all summer and through our preseason so far.

“They have been working on organizing our upcoming fundraisers, and they have been great liaisons between me and other players. They will do a great job in representing our team on the field during games.’’

Last year, High Point finished with an overall record of 7-8 and was 4-2 as the second-place finisher in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Colonial Division.

The team advanced to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 1 Sectional Tournament, where it was defeated by eventual sectional champion Shore Regional in 2022.

This season, High Point plays in the NJAC Colonial Division along with North Warren, Wallkill Valley and Kittatinny.

“I think that we are rebuilding a bit this season, but I also feel that we have the potential as a team to be a contender in our league,’’ the coach said.

“We now have Wallkill Valley in our league, and they have always been a very strong team. Kittatinny has been a team that gives us a run for our money. We certainly can’t underestimate North Warren.

“Every season is different. Players and entire teams can make improvements and always step up their game. We are hoping to be one of those teams this season.’’