PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Emily Goldman
Mount Hebron
A year-round field hockey player and a Team Maryland member last year, Goldman was a standout on defense for two years before switching to midfield this season.
The senior tri-captain worked hard to achieve the greater fitness needed to play the new position, became a scoring threat and led her team to a 10-2-2 overall record, an undefeated (8-0-1) league season and its first county title since 1997.
A mentor to her younger teammates, she showed outstanding stickwork and a lot of confidence with the ball and totaled seven goals and two assists. The senior three-year starter, who played in the National Field Hockey Festival in California with Capitol Pegasus, is orally committed to Lafayette.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ginger Kincaid
Glenelg
Her team, which included six sophomores, went undefeated until losing to perennial state power Bethesda-Chevy Chase in the regional championship game, 3-0. It posted 10 shutouts, allowed a total of eight goals and finished 12-1-3.
"This was a testament to the time the girls spent playing at the club level outside school," Kincaid said. "We lost a little momentum from missing practice during the sniper incident, and had three ties at the end of the season."
Kincaid has been active in helping to develop club-level field hockey. She played field hockey and lacrosse at James Madison and played in the Baltimore Field Hockey Association until a year ago. She teaches physical education at Glenelg and has a 215-115-20 career record in 26 seasons.
FIRST TEAM
Marie Bounds
Wilde Lake
Fearless in compiling an 87.5 percent save percentage at goalkeeper for the Wildecats (6-8-1 overall, 4-5 league), the three-year starter was a co-captain and is a member of Futures. The senior displayed excellent quickness, agility and a never-say-die attitude that she hopes will carry her to a Division I school, where she'll major in art. She has visited Wake Forest, UMBC and Monmouth.
Maria Bosica
Mount Hebron
A scoring threat from the left side, the three-year starter scored 11 goals and had four assists. An All-County second-team player last year, she showed incredible stickwork, the ability to hold the ball, eliminate defenders and create scoring chances. The senior left outside was especially dangerous from the circle. "I never had a player who could carry the ball like she could," said coach Jeannette Ireland.
Lindsay Buckingham
Hammond
Hampered by a knee problem her junior season after a fantastic sophomore season, the senior returned to full-time action with a vengeance, tallying 13 goals and six assists. Playing center midfield, where she was always poised under pressure, she created some goals out of sheer will. She scored the winning goal in the senior all-star game at College Park, and hopes to play at Maryland as a walk-on.
Nadia Clendening
Centennial
Her coach called her "fire on grass" last season when the always active Clendening was a first-team All-County forward. A Team Maryland player, she began this season at forward until 2-1 losses to both Glenelg and Mount Hebron prompted her switch to midfield to utilize her defensive ability. She marked several dangerous scorers successfully, and finished with six goals and six assists for the regional-champion Eagles, who lost a state semifinal shootout to Towson.
Jenn Cochran
Glenelg
Only a sophomore, Cochran stepped in and did an excellent job at center midfield for the Gladiators. Displaying skilled stickwork and a nice hit, she played big and was dominant in the center. "She has a lot of potential to grow," said Coach Kincaid. Cochran scored one goal and made seven assists.
Dayna Eng
Centennial
With Eng in goal, the Eagles established a school record by allowing a total of only 11 goals this season. She saved 101 of 112 shots for a 90 percent save percentage. The senior showed a passion for the game by working with a private coach, and came up big in regional games against Hammond and Howard. She hopes to attend Swarthmore next year.
Alex Hope
Centennial
Cut as a freshman, Hope came back for a three-year career that ends with an All-County selection. She was the Eagles' second-leading scorer with 10 goals and four assists. The senior left wing scored her team's only goal in the state semifinals, and had a hat trick against Hammond. On corners, she was the inserter. "One of the best left wings I ever had," said coach Gail Purcell.
Julie Laun
Mount Hebron
Spearheading the Vikings' attack on the right side, Laun was second on the team with seven assists. The right midfielder scored one goal. A three-year starter and tri-captain, she was a dynamic player who was the shooter on offensive corners and the flier on defensive corners. The senior was a smart, coachable, hard-working player, and displayed nice stickwork.
Ali Lemons
Mount Hebron
After an injury-marred junior year, Lemons played a big-time role this season by leading the team in scoring with 14 goals and nine assists. Directly involved in 23 of her team's 50 goals, she was a finesse player who was quick to the ball, had good dodges and strong stick skills. The senior inside forward scored a lot of goals off tips and rebounds.
Courtney Siegel
Centennial
Moved to midfield halfway through the season, she was the Eagles' most consistent defensive player all season. Her confidence, quiet resolve and purposeful decision-making made her a valuable team member. The senior began the reverse swing or "bowl" that allowed her team to transition to the other wing. She scored two goals and had five assists.
Sara Siegel
Centennial
The second-leading scorer in school history, the junior attack produced 20 goals and six assists. She possessed great decision-making ability, and carried and passed the ball extremely well. Her talents were instrumental in the team setting a school scoring record with 68 goals and 42 assists. She set a personal high of four goals in one game.
Emily Smith
Mount Hebron
The Vikings had nine shutouts and allowed only seven goals, and Smith organized the defense despite having a new goalkeeper and two new defensive backs this season. The senior center back, a three-year starter, had a great hit, made good tackles, displayed excellent footwork and taught the younger players. "She was an outstanding defender," Coach Ireland said.
Katie Reck
Centennial
The vocal director at the defensive end of the field, she possessed great timing on dodges and tackles. The senior sweeper, scored one goal and had two assists and made a save in overtime of the state semifinal game. She showed heart playing hurt against Hammond and Howard. The captain, who wants to play for Salisbury, led the Eagles to a school-record 11 goals allowed.
Stephanie Wesley
Glenelg Country
The four-year starter led the Dragons to their third straight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference title with a 14-3-2 overall record and 13-0-1 league mark. The Dragons allowed just two goals all season. "She was so great that our goalie didn't touch the ball for two games," said coach Shannon Parker. After sitting out the first half, Wesley rallied her team to a 2-1 victory by playing the second half despite a hip flexor against A Conference opponent Maryvale.