Iroquois Field Hockey has had a level of success in recent years that few high school programs will ever attain.. much less maintain.
Over the last five years the Lady Chiefs have collected 69 wins against 6 losses and 5 ties during ECIC league play.
Head Coach Pete Tonsoline, who enters his 26th year leading the Varsity team (36th year with the program), never bought into the flashy turnover-prone “run-and-gun” offensive style.
Instead, he preferred his teams take a calculated and methodical approach to everything they do.
First off, the Lady Chiefs force you to play at the speed they prefer. If you do manage to slip past their midfield you’ll come across the stingiest defense in Section VI – last year’s unit tallied 13 shutouts and only gave up a total of five goals during the regular season.
With a scheme designed to turn away their opponents early, the Lady Chief forwards are afforded the opportunity to make decisions without the added pressure of playing from behind.
Their ball movements are calculated and efficient, taking extra time if need be to take the shot most likely to convert.
More importantly…
Everybody knows their job.
Everybody does their job.
Period.
Last years season came to an end in the pouring rain at the hands of rival Pioneer; the lone first-minute goal ultimately determined the Section VI Class B Champion.
The Lady Chiefs return 15 seniors that are itching to reclaim that title.
Among the returning seniors are co-captains Ava D’Amato (MF) and Torie Walker (D).
Leading goal scorers from last season Quinn Wierzbowski (16 goals, 5 assists) and Elizabeth Fonfara (12 goals, 8 assists) both return on attack.
Jillian Quinn is expected to move from midfield to attack forward to replace the graduated Riley DeGrace (7 goals, 14 assists). The coaching staff had high praise for Jillian Quinn and are confident in her ability to succeed in her new role.
DeGrace has since moved on to Division II Limestone College. She was a 5-year Varsity player and All-WNY selection this past season.
Twin-sister Megan Quinn will anchor the center of this year’s defensive unit with Madison Trzepacz and Lylah Jolls.
Madison Kasten will start at midfield; Sophomore Ashley Pitz will start on attack.
With the level of talent returning it should be no surprise that Iroquois will once again enter the year as an early-season favorite to win Class B.
The Lady Chiefs will get their first major test straight out of the gate when they make the trip to Williamsville North on Friday, September 6th @ 4:30pm.
