The players on the Lake-Lehman field hockey team have been adding to an impressive list of accomplishments prior to even beginning official practices for the 2015 season Monday.
The Black Knights return seven starters from the team that reached the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AA quarterfinals last fall, giving reason for a feeling of optimism around the program this season and beyond.
With three of those players already verbally committed to play at Division I programs, the Black Knights have important future considerations under control as they get set to enter into battle in Pennsylvania’s toughest conference of small school teams.
The fact that two of those players made their commitments before even starting their junior seasons just adds to the possibilities.
“We only have two seniors this year and all the rest are underclassmen,” Lake-Lehman coach Jean Lipski said. “A lot of those underclassmen had a chance to play some varsity time last year.
“It has just pretty much whet their appetite to get back on that field. A couple of the others have also made recruiting visits, unofficial visits because they’re young, but we probably have more that are going to make commitments.”
Kate Supey, a midfielder/forward and one of the two seniors, has announced her commitment to Syracuse University, which played in last season’s national title game.
Taylor Alba, a junior midfielder/defender who joined Supey as first-team coaches association Class AA all-state choices last season, is headed to Temple University.
Sarah Sabaluski, another junior who has played all over the field, made her commitment to the University of Louisville.
The Black Knights have other experienced players to rely on, including two who started as freshmen, along with a talented group of reserves that was fighting for playing time behind the starters on last year’s Wyoming Valley Conference Division 3 champions.
Senior forward Miranda Moosic, junior forward/midfielder Lilli Stepanski, sophomore midfielder Makayla Adams and sophomore defender Lynea Gregory are also back.
The Black Knights need all that firepower if they are going to make it to the top of the WVC, let alone move further in state play. Holy Redeemer tied Lake-Lehman for the top spot in Division 3 last season before the Black Knights won a playoff for the title.
WVC Division 2 champion Crestwood won the 2012 state title and has appeared in the last three state championship games. WVC Division 4 champion Wyoming Seminary won the 2013 state title, giving it three state championships in four years.
Lipski said the attention of the recruits at Lake-Lehman is a sign both of their achievements and the reputation the area has built in the sport.
“It just shows the level of field hockey in our conference that there are so many girls that are playing on travel teams and playing almost all year-round,” Lipski said. “It’s really showing because we have some great players in our conference.”
Supey, Alba and Sabaluski have managed to stand out among that group.
While enjoying success with her Lake-Lehman teammates last season, Supey was already watching her future team, going to Syracuse games in person and viewing them online whenever possible.
“They have a great passing game,” Supey said. “They’re very quick on the ball.”
Supey is likely to play forward in college, but for now she is focusing on a proper wrap-up to her high school career.
“She has a passion for field hockey that I have rarely seen,” Lipski said. “She just loves the game and she loves being part of the game and being part of the team.
“She’s just a great leader and is energetic and passionate about the game. It’s contagious to her teammates.”
Supey said she is considering education, nutrition and exercise science as possible majors.
“I chose Syracuse because they have great education in any major I would go into and they have great field hockey with the number-two team in the nation and a great bond between the players,” she said. “Also, the location was very close for my parents to be able to come and watch me play.”
Alba played mostly defense as a freshman before starting at midfield last season. After receiving recruiting attention at both positions, she was down to Temple and Louisville. She also made unofficial visits to Duke, Providence, and James Madison as well.
“I just wanted to focus on individually getting better,” Alba said. “It’s very stressful going through the whole (recruiting) process at tournaments with coaches always looking at you.
“Now, individually, I can just focus on what I really need to work on be a better player.”
To Lipski, it is not surprising to hear Alba talk about how to become a better player.
“Every practice that she has, she works so hard to improve,” Lipski said. “She soaks up information. She wants to become better. She wants to be corrected and wants to be coached.
“She never gets insulted when you try to correct her, because she knows we’re trying to help her.”
Sabaluski has played defense, midfield and forward while at Lake-Lehman.
Although indications are that Sabaluski may play defense in college, Lipski said she has the physical ability to play anywhere.
“She makes some great plays because she is just so purely athletic,” Lipski said. “It’s a joy to watch her play any sport.”
Sabaluski, who will study exercise science or dietetics, was happy to put recruiting behind her.
“I kind of just wanted the recruiting process to be over,” she said. “I just wanted to know where I was going to be.
“Louisville is beautiful, it’s (a top school) in my major and the coaches are awesome. I loved the whole atmosphere there.”
