Holliston High’s field hockey program has become very formidable since Alyssa Wesoly took the coaching reins in 2014.
The Panthers won four games in Wesoly’s rookie year on the job, but proceeded to win 14 games the last two seasons. The Panthers’ 14 triumphs in 2015 were enough to win the Tri Valley League championship. Last year’s 14 triumphs, however, came up a bit short, leaving the Panthers in third place behind defending champ Hopkinton and second-place Dover-Sherborn.
The outlook for the 2017 campaign should again be positive, but Wesoly, who was an assistant coach at Dover-Sherborn before joining Holliston, is approaching the new season in a cautious mode. “I hope we’re as good as our last two years,’’ she said. “We’ll be much younger. We lost five starters to graduation but we have six others returning. Our style will be up-tempo on offense, and we’ll be strong on defense. We’ll also be physical, aggressive and determined.’’
The Panthers have some well-defined strengths that will enable them to battle the likes of Hopkinton, Dover-Sherborn and Medway on even terms. “We’ve got experience,’’ Wesoly said. “Seven seniors have tourney experience. We’re also athletic and versatile, able to play our girls at a variety of positions. Our stick skills and field hockey IQ are also strengths.’’
Wesoly, however, has some concerns and they include a lack of depth and scoring. “We have only three juniors on the squad,’’ she noted, “so staying healthy will be a key. If we suffer injuries, we hope they’ll be minor. Our offense can improve, especially our corner play.’’
Holliston’s senior captains are a major plus, leading by example and by being vocal. Addie Raymer will be in goal, Chloe Londono-Ayr will patrol midfield and Cayla Olson will be on defense. “They’re quality leaders, solid role models and good students,’’ Wesoly said.
Raymer has impressed her coach with her natural ability, technique and instinctive ability. “Addie is quick to the ball and clears very effectively,’’ Wesoly emphasized. “She was the reason why we beat Dover-Sherborn, 1-0, last year.’’
Londono-Ayr and Olson also get high praise from their coach. “Chloe is our most solid player in terms of stick skills,’’ Wesoly said. “Her transition in midfield is excellent. She’s our quarterback. She’s athletic, has good endurance and her passing skills are one step ahead of our opponents. Cayla is a quiet leader who’s patient and does what’s needed. She waits for a mistake to occur, then capitalizes on it.’’
Senior Erin Kerr (midfield/defense) and her sister Grace, who’s a junior defender, give the Panthers a strong defensive presence.
“Erin started last year on defense, but could be a midfielder this season,’’ Wesoly said. “She’s quick, a fine passer, has very good field awareness and her stick skills are solid. Grace was on the jayvees last year. She’s patient, has strong stick skills and is an excellent blocker.’’
Sophomores will get plenty of playing time, and four who’ll be counted on to contribute are Isabelle Larche (defense), Kaelin Trombly (forward), and midfielders Charlotte Olson (Cayla’s sister) and Sydney Collier.
“Isabelle started seven games last year, and her role was to mark our opponents’ top offensive player,’’ Wesoly noted. “She did a great job on limiting Mashpee’s top player in our playoff win. Isabelle is tenacious, aggressive and coachable. Kaelin became a starter and scored six goals last year. She’s a natural athlete, she’s tenacious, and she’s like a sponge, able to absorb strategy quickly.’’
Olson and Collier gained valuable experience starting as jayvees last year. As midfielders, they’ll be counted on to quickly shift gears from offense to defense and vice-versa.
“Charlotte is very athletic,’’ Wesoly said. “She scored often on the jayvees and became a good distributor. She’s working to improve her overall game. Sydney is quick, athletic and has endurance. Her fundamentals are good, and she did well to build a foundation to her game.’’
Another player who’ll provide some quality minutes is senior forward Caroline Ward. “Caroline was a reserve last year who scored three goals,’’ Wesoly recalled. “She’s tall, covers lots of ground and finishes nicely near the goal. She’s aggressive and athletic and able to get her share of deflections around the goal.’’
An all-star midfielder as a high school senior in Burlington, Conn., Wesoly played on a state championship squad in 2006. She also was a four-year starter at Westfield State as a defender. Her coaching philosophy is very much in sync with her outlook as a player.
“I want my players to strive to be competitive and win,’’ she said. “I also want them to work to reach their potential and enjoy playing field hockey. Another key is being prepared. That’s just one life lesson that can be learned from sports. There are teachable moments and players can learn how to lead, to be accountable, to be team-oriented and how to overcome adversity.’’
Wesoly’s players definitely got a dose of adversity in that four-win season in 2014. Winning, however, has been the standard the last two years, which have included a pair of playoff triumphs in both of the last two campaigns.
The 2017 field hockey season at Holliston should be another successful venture.
Issue Date:
September, 2017
Article Body:
Column: