Scarlet Hawks look to learn on field this fall

The Milford High field hockey team hits the turf this season with a revamped roster that will be led by four key returning players.

“We lost a lot of girls from last year, and there are a lot of girls who came out for the team this year who are new to the sport,” said Head Coach Jenna Casello. “So we have been going through a lot of the fundamentals and filling in the blanks.”

After an opening week of drills and teaching, the Scarlet Hawks spent time piecing things together in the lead up to the first games of the season. The middle of the field is particularly solid, as it features MHS’ veteran players that Casello called “the core of the team.”

Iyanna Correa is back as center forward and brings significant speed to her position.

“She has a good sense of the forward line and, if she has a breakaway, she is going for the goal no matter what,” Casello said.

Behind Correa in the midfield will be Isabella Sullivan and Francesca Veo, both of whom drew high praise from their coach.

“They are two really skilled players who are good at working the ball up the field,” Casello said. “They also have a lot of skill when it comes to getting the ball up into the circle, and that will be their main job.”

Jadyn DeTore returns on the defensive side. Casello praised her composure and her ability to handle an attack from the opposition. DeTore also learned from veteran players who graduated last year, and is looking to follow in their footsteps as one of the program’s leaders.

Heading into the season with a relatively inexperienced crew, Casello said slowing things down will be important early on. She also wants her players to be unafraid to ask for help.

“With this newer group of girls, sometimes it takes a little bit of time for them to understand and buy into what I am saying,” Casello said. “I think it’s going to be important for them to ask for help and make sure they understand what we are doing and why it is important.”

Casello is hoping that, by asking questions, her players can develop a deeper understanding of the game.

“I think understanding the ‘why’ and putting the pieces together are going to be really big for us,” she said.

Iyanna Correa brings speed to her position as Milford gets ready for a new season. Courtesy photo